"I was wondering what President Zardari has planned for himself?"
"He will remain the Co-Chairman of the party, he will be the sole decision-maker on all matters relating to the party as well as with respect to who gets what appointment in case the PPP is re-elected."
"No, that was not what I meant when I said I wondered what the President has in store for himself. "
"Then what?"
"I meant, will he stand for elections from his constituency and try for the prime minister's slot this time around and make the president's office ceremonial as envisaged in the constitution or will he like to remain as President?"
"I think he would like to be the prime minister for then he does not have to rely on loyalty, a fickle thing at best if our political history is anything to go by."
"Hey, there are many willing to sacrifice themselves surely that much is obvious to you by now."
"I guess, but if he is the prime minister then he may no longer be eligible for immunity, I mean if the contempt law is struck down as is widely expected, and he can be disqualified if he refuses to write the letter to Switzerland opening graft cases against himself."
"Tough call then you reckon?"
"Tough indeed. But you know he has been comfortable in the Presidency with compliant prime ministers and my point is simple: why not go with what you know then go with what you don't know."
"He knows Gilani sahib but that guy is out of commission for the next four to five years?"
"Indeed, but Gilani had reportedly begun not to heed all the directives from the presidency."
"True, but then he became dispensable while Raja sahib is a more obedient guy."
"So was Gilani initially!"
"OK, I am not a psychiatrist but I think the President is."
"Don't be facetious."
"Seriously I don't think he has a PhD in politics but a PhD in psychology - there have been no defections from the PPP and the PPP remains in power for the fifth year."
"Naheed Khan and Safdar Abbasi and..."
"Those aren't defections those are dismissals by the President."
"I concede."