“Asif said that the army is truly a national institution.”

“That is a given, armies are national institutions, I mean it’s not as if they are a regional institution or in our case a provincial institution or…”

“Or a local bodies institution, I mean given that local bodies elections are an anathema to our party leaders…”

“Really! That is your take on Asif’s comment?”

“Yeah, have you heard the proverb – I am not smart I am just a skilled trained professional in pointing out the obvious.”

“Don’t be facetious. But you may have a point – our bureaucracy and cabinet members may not be skilled which I define as educated in the discipline but are trained professional politicians.”

“Now who is being facetious, anyway I want to know which Asif you are referring to? There is Khawaja Asif and then there is Asif Zardari.”

“And that would detract from the obviousness of the statement?”

“No, it won’t but if I remember correctly nawala (a mouthful) Khwaja Asif — and I am referring to his long loyalty to Nawaz Sharif — at one time did launch a very scathing attack on the military. I think it was way back in 2015…”

“Remember that the army is a national institution, but the party one belongs to could well be a personal institution if you know what I mean.”

“You heard the phrase different strokes for different folks and as you and I both know personality changes can and do compel us to change our perceptions.”

“Right and if President Zardari made that remark, about the army being a national institution then if I recall correctly there was a reference to iron bullets and limited tenures and….”

“Followed by an exile that lasted what? Three years or was it four?”

“Right, but you know as well as I that while there is a revolving door as far as the civilians are concerned – I mean how many people in the cabinet are first time ministers or ministers of state – yes the portfolio changes but…”

“Muhammad Aurangzeb is a first time minister.”

“I am told he came through a revolving door.”

“Hmmmm perhaps you are right, let’s wait to find out.”

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