"A bill allowing President Musharraf to continue holding the post of army chief beyond December 31, 2004, was tabled in literally the dying moments of the National Assembly's session on Monday in what was seen as a calculated move."
"It may have been a calculated move but it certainly was not an unexpected move."
"No, I guess you are right. So what will happen now?"
"The opposition, that is, the much duped Maulanas as well as the much maligned Jiyalas and the few remaining Nawalas, are going to make as big a fuss as they can in protest against this bill."
"But it will pass?"
"Yes, the General has enough Lotas on his side to guarantee that."
"But would national interest..."
"Use the right terminology, the supreme national interest..."
"OK, so the supreme national interest will be met by...?"
"That depends on who you ask. If you ask a Jiyala or a Nawala or even a Maulana he will say that if Musharraf does not take off his uniform, after all the guy is well past 60, then the supreme national interest will not be served. But if you ask the Lotas they will maintain that the supreme national interest will be served only if Musharraf keeps the two hats."
"But the timing is..."
"Is very propitious...just before Ramazan. See people during Ramadan can't really give their soul or bodies to protest movements if you know what I mean. And more importantly perhaps, the bill has been tabled before the US elections so the next US President will have to accept the General's further amendment to his own constitutional amendment as a fait accompli."
"Well, the General isn't the only one who has amended his own amendments whenever it suits him. If I remember correctly Bhutto was the first one to do so."
"Ah yes, I forgot."