Partly Facetious: Isn't that the name of the game?

28 Dec, 2010

"All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has, through an advert in a section of the press, thanked the Pakistan Five-O."
"Wasn't there a US television programme Hawaii Five-O?"
"Yes there was and the programme was about a fictional state police unit and the guy who ran it, the lead actor, would instruct his subordinate to 'Book 'em, Danno' by the end of the programme."
"Ah yes. So who were the Pakistani Five-O and who was booked?"
"The Five-O included Prime Minister Gilani, in the Centre for a change and not on the sidelines as in government sponsored adverts; on his left is Naveed Qamar and on his right the Minister of Textiles, and then we had Hafeez Sheikh next to Naveed Qamar and Raja Parvez Ashraf next to the Minister for Textiles."
"These are the stalwarts of the PPP-led government barring two, and I am referring to Rehman Malik and Babar Awan."
"Right, rather comprehensive choice of ministers anyway Aptma was thanking the Five-O for taking the decision to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas for five days a week to the textile industry and..."
"I thought that was agreed after Shahbaz Sharif met with Gilani."
"Ah, but textile industry is not only in the Punjab... anyway the decision to release gas or not to release rests with the Centre."
"Indeed, but the decision was not taken by the Five-O in that case, but by one member of the..."
"Aptma is covering its base and including all five."
"So what if Shahbaz Sharif gets angry at the advert and..."
"He has no control over the gas supplies to any province. He can only request."
"Ah! Rather wise of Aptma management in that case."
"Indeed and Aptma's motto is you enable and we deliver."
"So the five gentlemen can at a stroke of the pen enable them to access gas and in return they would deliver higher exports, as well as higher taxes."
"Neat, so everyone benefits."
"Isn't that the name of the game?"
"Agreed and if nothing else the PPP-led government ought to have learned this lesson given its coalition in the centre and the provinces but I would add one minor clause."
"What?"
"Everyone who is anyone benefits."

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