Let it not be said that the PPP is a party of zombies, disciplined to follow orders, none of its notables capable of an honest and original thought or action. False. PPP is actually a party infested by selfless, patriotic geniuses dedicated to the good of the country.
Islamabad has recognised this situation and given practically all the 14th August awards to this army of selfless do-gooders, making it the first such mass reward in Pakistan’s history. We hear at least one person getting such reward is the former hockey player and former party head of PPP Punjab, Qasim Zia. QZ has been in the wilderness for some time. In fact, he is so out of favour that some time back when he went to condole with President Asif Zardari on the passing away of his father he could not get past Rehman Malik. The latter told him that The President was unavailable.
Well, QZ has had the last laugh as he shares the 14th August honours with Malik and also with a lady bureaucrat who was in fact on the selection committee for the awards. Charity did begin at home here.
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Rumour has it that with a turf war raging in Karachi, PML(N) the only major party not involved, has found a window of opportunity into Sindh politics. With the octogenarian Ghouse Ali Shah sidelined and out of the way, several members of political dynasties have contacted Nawaz Sharif.
It is the usual formula. A son in every camp. Some have brought TV cameras for instant footage of the meeting. Others have been more surreptitious. But they are coming to Raiwind in a steady flow and in all shades and colours. In fact one such person trying to make a comeback is a former CM of Sindh, a man with huge land holdings and an even bigger talent for cross-dressing. Now that is a drop of diversity in politics.
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We hear that the summer homes of the late artist Guljee, murdered in Karachi three years ago, are inviting interest from the powers that be in KP. A former CM of the province who belonged to MMA has given the late artist’s son, Amin Guljee an offer for the Dunga Gali house, obviously an offer he cannot refuse. As for the iconic Nathiagali cottage where the artist spent his summers painting some of his finest works. It appears that CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has his eyes firmly fixed on you no what. Meanwhile the Galliat Development Authority has done its job and announced that the Guljee lease has expired and the place is available. Maybe there will be yet another “closed” auction where there is only one qualified bidder. We all know who it is likely to be.
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