"So who is still squeaky clean?"
"Musharraf's image of squeaky clean was compromised as soon as he fired Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry the first time and thenceforth came a series of mistakes that just compounded his very bad guy for democracy image."
"Right but our democrats are not emerging squeaky clean either."
"No Asif Ali Zardari's squeaky clean image...?"
"He was known as Mr 10 percent."
"That was a long time ago and he has paid his debts - all, if not more than he owed. In any case his squeaky clean image has been compromised as he continues to significantly benefit from the National Reconciliation Ordinance, part of a deal between his wife and Musharraf, as well as his reluctance to negate Musharraf's post November 3 actions in their entirety is costing him plenty."
"In this regard the lawyer Ibrahim has emerged as squeaky clean by resigning from a committee that seeks to keep the judges Musharraf appointed in all his dictatorial glory."
"That's true and I hope he can sustain this image."
"I hope so and then there is Nawaz Sharif."
"He hasn't put one foot wrong since the elections."
"No, but did you hear what happened in the Senate on Monday? The Pushtun members of the National Assembly accused the Punjab government, which is being closely run and monitored by the Sharif's, of trying to starve the Pathans by not lifting the ban on wheat and they threatened that they would stop electricity to the Punjab."
"Dear, dear those are serious charges."
"Indeed and even though Nawaz Sharif's party won only in the Punjab yet in the interest of the federation as well as the coalition they have to be part and parcel of the directives given by Gilani to lift the ban on inter-provincial wheat movement."
"Yes I agree. And with Balochis threatening that they would stop gas supplies to the Punjab..."
"I get it - it is critical for the Punjab government to lift the ban and assist the people of NWFP and Balochistan."
"Then there is Rehman Malik?"
"Right, the guy who manipulated the programme for the bye-elections, which, so it is being alleged, is to delay the entry of Shahbaz Sharif and Aitzaz Ahsan into the assemblies..."
"Right, but Aitzaz is also no longer squeaky clean and the lawyers are split about his wanting a PPP ticket when the PPP is so clearly opposed to the pre November 3 status quo."
"Right. And about Chaudhrys of the Jaat culture all I can say is let the games begin and the losing mark is a man without a uniform who nonetheless stands erect but after retirement is developing a slight paunch."
"Ah yes, to be retired and eat as much as one likes."
"Don't be facetious."