"So we can all accept that the New York trip was a success for the President and his team."
"Kerry-Lugar bill passed and a 1.5 billion dollar injection per annum for development for the next five years is an accomplishment even though the bill was first proposed during the Musharraf era."
"But that is as it should be: assistance is for the development of the poor and the deprived in Pakistan. It must not be associated with any one man or party. And a trust fund was also set up..."
"Isn't a trust fund associated with an underage or mentally unstable person so that he/she/they cannot be misled by the unscrupulous or..."
"Yes, but surely given our nascent democracy..."
"As well as a relatively new entrant on the political scene namely President Zardari..."
"Right, but interestingly the Pakistani Foreign Minister did state that the West must extend 'political and strategic' support to Pakistan and there is much talk of the gains of Pakistani democracy when even democracy in the US was suspect with Bush in the White House..."
"Don't be facetious. The Americans could always get rid of Bush and his policies by voting for his political rivals or ideological detractors from within and outside the Republican Party however with Musharraf we could do little."
"One question: do you think we are politically and ideologically in a different phase of governance with the PPP led government?"
"The President is elected as is the Prime Minister. So yes we are in a different phase of governance. However there are many who would argue that our political parties are not very ideologically inclined and..."
"Not fair. The PPP's ideology is socialist in the sense that workers are not fired, on the contrary they are hired even when the organisation directed to induct Jiyalas is suffering losses due to over staffing..."
"But the Benazir Income Support Programme is a success to the extent that the poor are getting something and..."
"How is it different from the past five marla schemes and seven marla schemes and food stamps and all that..."
"I believe BISP has the ability to be more targeted..."
"Do you believe that it represents adequate resources..."
"No, but a mechanism has been set in place. If it's politically motivated then it can be corrected in time if you know what I mean."
"I guess you are right. The policy of subsidies on essentials has not worked as we, the people of this country, recently relearnt with respect to sugar prices."