If Asad Umar, Shafqat Mehmood, Fawad Chaudhry, Ghulam Sarwar Khan and Amir Kayani were the only members of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Cabinet, the concept of MERIT advocated by the PTI Chairman wouldn’t have been subjected to so much scrutiny and ridicule. Shirin Mazari isn’t a deliberate omission from this list. Nor Pervez Khattak, Nor Shah Mahmood Qureshi. They all are capable of surpassing even their own expectations. But there are many who have different kinds of question marks ‘hoisted’ against them. There are some who make me recall a day in 1984 when Mian Nawaz Sharif came to my office in Shadman Lahore to seek professional help in building his image as a would-be MPA/Chief Minister.
“Mian Sahib, the first requirement in this connection would be a photograph in which you look reasonably intelligent, “ I told him. “For that you have to spare at least a couple of hours for our photographer.”
“I will, “ he replied with a smile.
“Now let me take you to our creative team, “ I said and led him to our conference room where Professor Shoaib Hashmi, Munnoo Bhai and Madam Salima Hashmi were engaged in a brainstorming session regarding an upcoming campaign.
As I introduced Mian Sahib to Shoaib Hashmi, the latter at once and unintentially came out with a stunning statement:
“Oh yes I know him. He was my student; and what a dunce he was!”
It was an embarrassing moment for me. Luckily Shoaib Sahib quickly realized he had chosen a wrong moment for his wit and humour.
“But now that he is a Minister, I am sure he should have grown cerebrally”. He quickly made amends.
That was even worse. But Mian Sahib looked pleased at being acknowledged as a minister.
“All because of your teaching Shoaib Sahib.”
Professor Imran Khan will have to teach quite a few.
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