Partly Facetious: Politics is all about who gets what, when, and how

20 Oct, 2010

"Rehman Malik of the Khanani and Kalia fame has spoken again!"
"What is it with these double K names?"
"Malik went after them because he said they were engaged in the hundi system, you know sending money abroad illegally and..."
"And he knew that because he used their services?"
"There are those who allege that the reason was a bit personal."
"Anyway, my question is did the system stop after he incarcerated the owners of the double K?"
"Good heavens no!"
"Did you know that even those who earn too little and normally would not have thought of buying dollars a year ago have begun to purchase dollars on the day they get paid - that way they ensure that the value of their income or their purchasing power remains stable."
"That's not Malik's terms of reference - that is where Hafeez Sheikh comes in."
"The day I understand Malik's terms of reference would be the day pigs may fly."
"Hey, then let the pigs fly! I know his terms of reference."
"So what are his terms of reference?"
"Apart from following the directives of the President with respect to fire-fighting whenever a divorce with any of the coalition partners is in the works..."
"That is not in the terms of reference of an Interior Minister?"
"The term of reference of any federal minister in Pakiland is what the President so deems appropriate."
"And what else is in Malik's terms of reference?"
"To inform the public that action will be taken against anyone of who is responsible for target killings in urban Sindh, particularly in Karachi, every four months."
"And?"
"And nothing, he threatens and then seeks rapprochement with those who maybe complicit in the killings."
"And that surprises you? It is that Babar Awan distributed sweets when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was murdered and..."
"And see the resilience of the man! You have to appreciate that!"
"Politics is about resilience now?"
"Always was, is and will continue to be."

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