"Give a dog a bone, this old man came rolling home..."
"Let me guess, the dog, no disrespect intended as I define dog as someone loyal to the point of death - a definition that I am sure would lead many Punjabis and Sindhis and need I add other ethnic groups within and outside the country to identify with dogs, anyway the dog is Dr Mirza and the bone is to ensure that the MQM begins to negotiate on PPP terms."
"How circumspect can you get?"
"As much as I need to get my point of view across without being shall we say punished!"
"I guess that takes us back to Dr Mirza."
"So now what?"
"He came on a television channel that was under active boycott by his friend and boss. But not a single Zardi had a go at him and that's telling! President Zardari didn't let lose Babar Awan or indeed Rehman Malik to launch a verbal attack against his former friend."
"The presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, a man we all have learned to respect, has denied that this latest attack by Dr Mirza on the MQM had the President's seal of approval or planning."
"Did you ever consider that Farhatullah Babar is not a confidante of the President?"
"I see. But Dr Mirza says he was right in saying what he did during the press conference because there was not a single death the day after... "
"One thing is strange though: the MQM is strangely off the airwaves. That is unprecedented."
"But the accusations are so serious they need to say something instead of merely denying. Dr Mirza says he has proof and he is going to release the proof..."
"Two things: first, if there is proof and till the proof is submitted to the court there is room for negotiation. And second, the MQM claims their leader is ill and in hospital and has not been informed of what's happening here - so maybe they are awaiting instructions!"
"And maybe this is a time gaining move..."
"Maybe, but the Pandora's Box is open...I hope the President and Dr Mirza and the MQM realise that once the Box is open the outcome is never assured."
"Let's see where the dice fall."