"Zulfikar Mirza is on extended leave."
"I don't understand that?"
"What's to understand? The MQM was not happy with Mirza and the PPP needs MQM support in the Centre to remain in power and so Mirza had to go."
"Why did it take three years?"
"Hey, that's to do with the changing political environment - there were days, nay months, when PPP was in a stronger position, other days/months when the MQM was in a more central position and..."
"I agree, so Mirza is out."
"He is down but not out."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"He is likely to get a role in the centre."
"What role?"
"Depends on the President and you and I know that the Presidents is a friend's friend if you would allow me to make a literal translation of the Urdu expression."
"The President never abandons friends and loyalists I agree but I don't understand the concept of extended leave for a politician. I mean isn't he a member of the Sindh assembly any more? He has after all won the elections fair and square."
"Mirza..."
"Will you stop referring to him as Mr the guy is a Dr"
"Is he a medical doctor or a Ph.D?"
"Does it matter? The point is that the two degrees require brains and hard work."
"Granted besides Waseem Ahmed too has resigned from the FIA."
"You can't place that resignation in the same category as Dr Mirza's for Pete's sake. The number of FIA DGs as well as Attorney Generals in three years has reached legendary proportions."
"So you reckon Waseem Ahmad's resignation is part of an ongoing process while Dr Mirza's resignation heralds a new process of reconciliation in Sindh...maybe with the Sindh card taking on increasing relevance there was a need to get rid of Dr Mirza."
"Not get rid, merely replace with a more important role. But yes I agree with your assessment."