Ah, Aitcheson College, an ode to your tradition of greatness! In your hallowed halls have passed boys who grew up to be giants. Like Imran Khan, Chaudhry Nisar, Pervez Khattak… Okay, disregard my earlier remarks. But, at least the college building is still rather decent?
In any case, it is a college that remains in demand. For Old Money, because it’s the done thing. For the Nouveau Riche because it signals an arrival, especially when one is not there on merit at the senior level.
Speaking of merit, former principal Shamim “Mr Merit” Khan was a stickler for it, but the kinship principle remained throughout his tenure, perhaps because the powers that be didn’t want the clause gone.
Fast-forward to the appointment of old Aitchisonian intellectual Agha Ghazanfar as principal. Which also coincides with the removal of the kinship principle. So the government is in a bit of a pickle these days. Because a lot of movers and shakers have tried to get their grandsons enrolled, to no avail.
Matters are further complicated by the fact that the terms and conditions of Mr Ghazanfar’s employment make it very difficult to remove the man.
Well, tough luck, then. These young men should now grin and bear it. Apply the ancient Aitcheson College Motto. “Perseverance Commands Success.”
No, no, the other one: “Daddy’s loaded; doesn’t matter where I go to school.”
*****
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
When the premier takes along a contingent of the media as part of his retinue abroad, the media cries foul regarding the expenditures. When he doesn’t, which he didn’t, the media cries foul because, well, he didn’t take them along and Norway’s lovely this time of the year.