"Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has launched a tree plantation campaign."
"Great! Does that mean the Punjab Chief Minister will not be allowed to cut down any more trees to build roads?"
"No, it doesn't mean that! I can't get over your naivety! How long did you say you have lived in this country?"
"All my life. What did I ask that was so naïve? I mean the Cousin is cutting down a hell of a lot of trees and personally I think that's an issue."
"Yes, it is an issue but surely you don't think the PM would dare say 'stop' to the Cousin. Not these days in any event."
"I understand that and we all know why the Cousin's influence has been strengthened in recent months."
"Indeed it is, but the fact of the matter is that no PM has ever stopped a CM. Remember the BB and Nawaz Sharif days."
"But a two hatted president can."
"Of course, but he is the only one."
"So what was the venue of the tree plantation campaign?"
"The Prime Minister was planting a sapling and he said trees help in improving the environment and weather."
"Surprise, surprise, that's the only time when our leaders think of making environment friendly statements. Other times they remain indifferent."
"And he said we are to plant around four million saplings of various categories during the current monsoon campaign, which will continue till August 14."
"Right and how many trees, fully grown trees, will be cut by the CM in his obsession with building roads?"
"Not quantified."
"You know I know now what the Cousin and Nawaz Sharif had in common: their obsession with building roads?"
"Indeed but you can't deny it does generate economic activity."
"Yes, it does but at the same time trees must not be cut if that can be avoided...he can build his overpasses instead of cutting trees."
"The Prime Minister also said the government was working on a strategy to increase the forest cover area from current five percent to six percent in the country by 2015."
"Not in the Punjab I would imagine."
"Maybe, if they put the Cousin as Prime Minister..."
"Isn't there more power in that office?"
"Not the way it is structured these days."
"Hmm, we should then urge President Musharraf for the sake of our environment..."
"Don't be facetious."