"So what do you reckon? First timers are doing a good job?"
"I resent that because that is one person specific, you can't do that! It's neither fair nor appropriate!"
"Excuse me, but if you look at The Khan's gallery of artwork you will see that none of the pieces are by new artists if you know what I mean."
"Asad Umar..."
"His donation was not that much appreciated though recently The Khan has gifted him a chairmanship of a powerful committee..."
"Between control of CPEC and the energy committee, I reckon he is poised to make life hard for the third-timer at Finance."
"Stop, I thought you were talking about first timers only."
"OK, then there is an autonomous entity in Karachi that is headed by a first timer and before you say anything let me make a rather broad generalization: bureaucrats, domestic or international, breed 'yes' men....and by yes men I mean those who may stand for what they believe when they join but over time their beliefs are subsumed by those of the organization they serve..."
"And what if they are lucky enough to get a prestigious job that compels them to deal with the political leadership?"
"Then I don't know of any who did not capitulate when push came to shove defined as when his/her job was on the line."
"A graduate of one of the most prestigious universities and a post graduate at one of the not so prestigious universities in the US..."
"The test my friend comes when you are in a position to make policy and if you follow directives then your academic record and past experience are not appropriate to your job."
"I get your drift. So you reckon The Khan's experience with the first timers is...is..."
"I would say just as bad as the previous administrations experience with the repeat timers."
"So what do you recommend?"
"The Khan needs to do a Khan, but also a Nawaz Sharif and a Zardari?"
"What? Open an account in Panama or get the TT's..."
"No, he must not focus only on internal meetings and summaries prepared by those with a direct stake in the summary's conclusions. He must go out more to see what's happening outside his office? Don't take the same route home ever day - PM Secretariat via the Diplomatic Enclave to Banigala - there is a road that is still under construction since his tenure began, I am referring to Attaturk Avenue, and he must see his instruction not to use plastic bags is not being flouted and...."
"He is busy with the Coronavirus - almost every day he announces another measure to deal with the Coronavirus..."
"And that I don't understand! Why phase-wise?! Why not all at once?!"
"I guess to show the people he is totally engaged on the pandemic - I agree no sense but I bet it's those dratted first timers and third timers and..."
"Don't be facetious."