Mian Sahib, we think, has become a visionary and with that has come a sea change in how he views the media. One proactive, two-track journalists association, whose members rankled with him in his heavy mandate days, is now the apple of his eyes. NS recently played host to the group at least twice in quick succession, once at his Raiwind residence and again on a recent visit to Islamabad. Apparently the admiration is mutual. NS has picked up the agenda of democracy and peace with neighbours which this association promotes and the media men have reciprocated by forgiving any high-handedness they may have encountered in the past.
It appears that Mian Sahib has now accepted the tyranny of the media or has it dawned on him that the media can be quite helpful in getting rid of the tyrants.
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It seems that the rogues, not the meek, will inherit the earth or at least the juiciest piece of real estate in KPs jewel in the crown, Nathiagali. Apparently, the Galliat Development Authority has done it again and stood silent as a valuable state asset was wasted before their very eyes. On Sunday, the Inspection Bungalow, a stunning colonial residence with a view to die for, and one that the KP elite had eyed for some time, suddenly caught fire. Two fire fighting engines parked in the vicinity seemed helpless in dealing with the blaze probably because they were found to be without batteries, without fuel and without drivers.
Once the news spread some concerned locals did call in fire fighters from the Kalabagh Air Force Base but not before the six bedrooms, six-kanal wooden bungalow had disappeared from the face of the earth along with all its antique wood work and furniture. Incidentally, this property was the object of a privatisation (for a song) takeover in the nineties and the polo playing friend of a PM spouse even collected the keys. That bid was sabotaged by the KP media but now the fire formula seems to have worked miracles.
However, as the proverb goes, every cloud has a silver lining and out of this smoke and ashes will emerge six beautiful plots ready to be grabbed. Incidentally, this is the second cottage to be struck by fire in the last decade. The other was instantly privatised. Well done, arsonists and, of course, your innovative sponsors.
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It used to be Beware of the writing on the wall now it is Beware of the writing in your inbox. A sample of this weeks messages.
One: What an honour! Pakistans most wanted fugitive gets a state funeral. We know how to treat someone who is wanted dead or alive for sixty murders and torture cases and has sixty million rupees as head money.
Two: I salute all security officials, IGs, DIGs and CCPOs who use police force for their own security rather than that of the citizens. I salute the President, PM and all ministers for the security laced VIP movement which brings traffic to a halt, resulting in death in ambulances, child birth in rickshaws and generally playing havoc with logistics in every major city. And of course, I salute all the high army officials, guardians of our homeland, for using heavy police contingents to guard themselves and their dear ones. I do not salute the ordinary citizen who fries in bomb blasts, violence and crime. Understandably, when the police have finished guarding our guardian angels, there is none left to guard the measly citizen.
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