PARTLY FACETIOUS: A camel is a horse designed by a committee

“Pakistan’s Prime Minister has issued a notification setting up a committee with the Finance Minister as its convener to monitor the international oil supply and price and take mitigating measures to deal with the situation.”

“A camel is a horse designed by a committee.”

“How dare you!”

“I only meant that other oil importing countries are suffering as the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and while all European Union (EU) countries failed to take mitigating measures, countries that I refer to as The 19…”

“For your information there are more than 19 countries in the EU.”

“Right, but they have collectively approved 19 sanction packages against Russia and are currently debating the 20th and…”

“That shows their resilience – if at first you don’t succeed try, try, try…”

“Shush anyway I heard on the social media that ships destined for China are being allowed to go through the Strait of Hormuz but one question: why isn’t the Petroleum Minister heading the committee?”

“He is junior to the Finance Minister…”

“He is younger but shouldn’t the portfolio dictate…”

“When I said he is junior I was referring to his hierarchy on the list of influential.”

“That reminds me can we request the Gateman to open the gates – I mean gates are meant to be open sometime.”

“Gateman?”

“The Interior Minister has shut all the gates in the Blue Area…”

“The threat alert is high – we are still fighting the Taliban.”

“Hmmm but my fuel bill went up because I have to take a very long alternate route with traffic backed up at the police check post and now with the Middle East war…”

“Most who use the Blue area roads fill their vehicles with the taxpayers’ cash so need I add you joined the wrong profession.”

“So the 7 percent of all the labour force that is paid at the taxpayers’ expense…”

“And their family members and I would not recommend you finish the thought.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026