“So it’s the same as the difference between… between….protocol and security.”
“The two are inextricably linked in this country – we have heightened security concerns and protocol is a…a…..”
“A prerogative of the influential.”
“How do you define influential - rich?”
“In the Land of the Pure the influential do not waste money getting a business or first class ticket but are entitled to an upgrade, for example while travelling by air or rail, and the use of VIP lounges..”
“That was in days of yore – now they have access to their own luxury planes….”
“OK but to determine which influential is entitled is a very challenging job, I mean if you anger an influential you could lose your job or benefits and this is precisely why the Interior Minister was selected carefully and is doing an excellent job….”
“Didn’t he antagonise the Nawala party by stating that the system is collapsing and….”
“For your information Naqvi continued to provide protocol and security to all Nawalas.”
“Hmmmm anyway when I mentioned the difference between protocol and security I was referring to….”
“I know, Pakistan’s statement that the Makkah Accord could be triggered if Saudi Arabia continues to be attacked by the Houthis and….”
“Could or would?”
“What is in one letter of the alphabet?”
“Very important, remember the Urdu letter AIN was extremely important to the Third Wife of the Man Who Must Remain Nameless, Voiceless and Faceless….”
“I reckon the First Wife won’t agree – for her J, or S or Q….”
“Perhaps anyway I reckon there is a thin line between protocol and security and I was thinking of the bold decision taken by the Burnham government banning trade with the Israeli settlers who are killing and….”
“I have two observations on that decision. First the British government did not, I repeat did not take any action against the Israeli government which is engaged in genocide in Gaza but against the settlers….”
“Which the Israeli government has claimed have no official support from the Israeli Defence Forces….”
“OK and Israel’s retaliation was against the British government as it shut the consulate in Jerusalem.”
“Right so not quite tit-for-tat more like tit for twat.”
“And secondly, I would like to know how the British government intends to distinguish between goods from the settler community or from the rest of Israel?”
“Perhaps request the settlers to say clearly on the package produce of the settler community.”
“Kinda naive right!”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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