Partly Facetious: What does ‘discretion’ mean?

ARTICLE: “I was so upset to see Shehzad Akber at his press conference…”

“If you are worried that he may not retain his job because of a court case challenging his performance as special assistant then perhaps you didn’t hear but the court has ruled that it is the Prime Minister’s discretion to appoint up to five special assistants, and discretion implies no one can challenge their competence or relevant qualifications…”

“Are you being facetious?”

“No I mean it, and even if relevant qualifications and experience are present in any individual then it is up to the Prime Minister to assess his/her performance and keep him/her on or let them go and needless to add The Khan appears to be very happy with Akbar’s performance….”

“I agree and the proof of the pudding is in the fact that amongst the 50 odd cabinet members he has the most officially sponsored press conferences to his credit…”

“Please don’t mention that!”

“What?”

“The word pudding, and that’s what I meant when I said I was upset to see Shehzad Akber in Wednesday’s press conference - he got up to sit behind the dais and I actually got to see his side view – and man is the girth expanding exponentially – I mean the rate of increase is more than….than…..than the accumulation of wealth by the Sharifs.”

“Ha ha maybe Shehzad Akber’s checkmate to the Sharifs is through his expanding waistline rather than through following the directions of his boss: get them to return the money they stole from Pakistan….”

“Speaking of a widening girth Nawaz Sharif has gained weight too….”

“I have told you time and again that fat is the best anti-aging solution – I mean didn’t he look younger than his son Hussain Nawaz in the last photograph….”

“It’s not as if Hussain Nawaz is slim….”

“No but his responsibilities have quadrupled since his dad arrived in the UK.”

“That’s true but going back to Shehzad Akber I would urge The Khan to take notice of his expanding girth.…”

“The Khan taking notice sometimes worsens the situation as you know – sugar price, wheat price…….”

“OK then I would advise The Khan to take a briefing from SA every day and let that be during his own exercise time and….”

“I heard The Khan did try it once and SA was rushed to ……………. Didn’t work out well for him”

“Hmmmm.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020