“I was listening to President Trump’s State of the Union address…”
“Before you say anything let me inform you that in Pakistan too there is a mandatory annual requirement for the president to address a joint sitting of parliament where the government’s policy, performance and future agenda are outlined.”
“But when the president is from a different party or institution than the prime minister…”
“He can criticise all he wants but the current president gave away the power to dissolve assemblies back in 2010 so…”
“So it’s like our reform economic policies – great policies but zero implementation.”
“Don’t be facetious.”
“Just to put it on record. The current set of parliamentarians have exhibited, not once, but twice a constitutional amendment…”
“And yet it’s three times a lady as per Lionel Richie’s song…”
“Don’t be facetious, anyway our incumbent parliamentarians have exhibited a will to pass constitutional amendments, not once but twice, even though they do not have the two-third parliamentary majority that is required so all I can say about your remark about policies and implementation is that implementation proceeds when there is a will.”
“True. But may I suggest that the president be bound to just read and not prepare a speech, if you know what I mean.”
“Nah that maybe fraught with thorns if you will – I mean how much time is wasted on what advice of the prime minister is binding and what is not so I wouldn’t add onto that list.”
“What’s your suggestion?”
“Every time our president is, how shall I put it, of a different political persuasion than the prime minister, irrespective of the party that he may belong to…”
“Why the irrespective? Doesn’t the majority party…”
“Welcome to Pakistan. Don’t you remember Benazir Bhutto’s president turned against her, remember!”
“Yeah, but I would propose a different amendment. I propose a switcheroo.”
“I don’t get you – alternate between occupying the prime minister’s house and the president’s house?”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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