"Two wrongs make a right."
"You have got it wrong: its two wrongs do not make a right."
"As far as our politics is concerned I am right. The Prime Minister proved this Pakistan specific proverb right yesterday. When asked how he would respond to PML (N) suggestion to implement the decisions of the court the Prime Minister reminded the assembly that Nawaz Sharif's government took a far worse confrontational stance against the court in 1997."
"Right, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander."
"That's only when the goose is part of the harem."
"What?"
"The harem is the government so if the goose or the gander is the government then the response will be different from when in opposition."
"I see, so when you are in government the goose or the gander does not take the moral high ground but when out of government then somehow the moral high ground is all that is left."
"Correct until and unless of course the heavens fall by which I mean the party out of power acknowledges its past mistakes."
"That unfortunately is not likely. The first rule of politics: never ever accept past indiscretions or indeed past corruption or poor governance."
"You know politicians who operate under one family rule rely on that family to clear their name through deals and ordinances or through a non performing prosecution."
"I see, the easy option is preferred which simply implies making statements to the press, denials and claims of victimisation. That reminds me of what the Federal Board of Revenue does: takes the easiest option instead of doing some work to develop an equitable, fair and non-anomalous tax system and proactively going after its officials who are corrupt?"
"Heaven forbid the FBR stops the 500 billion rupee annual leak. But I would suggest a constitutional amendment: to do away with selected seats in the assemblies as well as the Senate."
"So only those who are elected for parliament be allowed to become ministers?"
"Precisely. And the same goes for minority groups including women. My point is, if Benazir Bhutto could independently win elections then so must all women desirous of a seat in the assemblies."
"What would that do?"
"Well, the people's representatives would owe more loyalty to the people instead of the family."
"And your assessment is accurate given the existing performance of those who were elected to parliament."
"No but..."
"All you can hope for is a family that rules benignly and that is about it."
"So we must hope for a benign party dictatorship and not democracy?"
"Step by painstaking step my friend."