(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
Prime Minister Imran Khan has arranged a series of special one-on-one meetings between Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Sultan and local journalists Talat Hussein, Saleem Safi and Matiullah Jan ahead of the former’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.
“I feel that both countries can learn from each other and, indeed, that the crown prince and I, as the respective leaders of our countries, can learn from each other,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing reporters at the Foreign Office.
“I would like to learn, first-hand, from the prince, how to talk sense to critical journalists.”
“I have no shame in saying that I would consider myself as a student, even at this stage of my life,” he continued. “I will be present during these meetings, with pen and paper in hand, taking notes of how the prince and his 17 associates convince the other side with….cogent and logical arguments.”
“This is going to be a skill exchange, basically. I have come to conclude that we need such training more than financial assistance,” he said.
“And much like the trainee students at the polytechnics and technical training institutes, I will take the instructions, wearing overalls and holding the tools.”