"The attack on the air force base yesterday was repulsed and it shows that the terrorists' network has been degraded and the capacity or perhaps a more appropriate word is preparedness to repulse terror attacks by our armed forces has been strengthened."
"Indeed and there was no mention of any assistance given from within the base to the terrorists!"
"That too is significant I agree, but you know those corrupt elements, sitting on the sidelines now thankfully, cannot resist spreading their corruption..."
"I don't understand? What does corruption have to do with terrorism? Yes I heard of the linkage between corruption and terror financing but I thought that was more or less limited to Karachi....alright, alright don't get excited let me rephrase that. It is limited to Karachi as the rangers operation is ongoing there but we are hoping it would also come to Punjab and..."
"No, no I am not referring to actual corruption which I define as a cash grant for services rendered by a public official on a salary paid from the tax payers' money. No I was referring to intellectual corruption."
"Does that refer by any chance to Zardari sahib's constant refrain of a not kosher mind-set?"
"Don't be facetious - Zardari sahib has said he is a student and since he hasn't yet announced that he has graduated give him the benefit of the doubt."
"What benefit?"
"That the course has not yet finished."
"It's been more than seven years..."
"Hey, the guy or lady who stops learning might as well be dead."
"I stand corrected but what intellectual corruption were you referring to and I believe you mentioned intellectual corruption by those who are now thankfully sidelined?"
"Musharraf, he has said that General Raheel Sharif should be given an extension and you and I know that extensions by both civilian and military governments have been a source of intellectual corruption that generates actual corruption and need I add during Musharraf's misrule also led to mass massacre with justice yet to be rendered."
"But General Raheel Sharif..."
"Has done wonders for this country but he should not seek an extension, simply ensure that his successor follows his trail and not Musharraf's or Kayani's or..."
"Yeah, the list is long but there is no guarantee..."
"No, but perhaps if he takes his predecessors to task..."
"Hmmmm..."