The
Excited Son: Dejected Consuls: Apologetic Diplomat: Who pays the
media: Selected CM
By
LampPost
BOSTON/ISLAMABAD:
Sons and daughters of presidents and heads of state get sucked into
politics by default. Examples are numerous round the world and the
Pakistani prez, the Big Mush, or BM, is no exception. Or to be exact
his son living in Boston, is not one. Last weekend, BM arrived in
Boston to meet his son and the whole town was coping with the repercussions.
The
First son has started to get involved, like they all do, in matters
of State. At least three 
examples
were being quoted by Bostonians. First is the “Big Deal”
his super dad is bringing on Kashmir. Yes Kashmir! The not-so-careful
son has been heard telling his confidants and colleagues his Dad
was coming to the US with some concrete proposals on Kashmir and
there were chances of a major breakthrough. Hold on son. You are
not qualified to discuss these matters with your friends. And hold
on BM, why are these sensitive matters of State being discussed
with the family at the dinner table?
Lets
say this was an excited child’s boast, but the situation in
which Barry Hoffman, who for 26-years has been serving as Honorary
Consul General of Pakistan in Boston, finds himself today, because
this son does not like him, is a sad commentary. Hoffman, a Jewish
American, is so dedicated to Pakistan, he has created the best data
base and library on Pakistan in his office. He is a leading Boston
businessman and is respected by the community. But twice BM has
issued orders that he be removed and both the times people intervened
and stopped the orders from implementation. Now the guy is so dejected
he gave no suggestions on how to make the current BM visit to Boston
a success. But LampPost has learnt the Musharraf family has ironed
out its differences with Hoffman and he was seen with General Musharraf
in Harvard, in full spirits. Will he stay on the honorary job for
long is an open question.
It
is not just an angry Hoffman who finds himself in such a mental
state. Three prominent Pakistanis, including a California pioneer
in computer manufacturing and a well-connected donor in Boston,
all of whom were appointed Honorary Consuls by BM, too are disappointed
souls. They had talked to important business and political people
and had arranged meetings with BM but at the last moment they were
told everything was off the table. They are now hiding their faces
from their US contacts. The Bostonian who is soon hosting a fund-raiser
for Senator Kerry, a key Democratic leader, was thrown out of the
loop in such a way he could not even get a pass to attend BM’s
speech at Kennedy School. A Pakistani Consul, running helter skelter
for a pass to hear his President's public speech? Hello, is there
anyone in charge? But that’s the hard fact.
LampPost heard the speech and was surprised to see
and hear BM praising someone, with the initials of TB, as an educationist
who had done a yoeman's job for Pakistan. This TB was recently awarded
a medal as well, on the recommendations of the First son. Many would
remember that TB was a very close pal of Asif Ali Zardari as well.
During those days he was an eminent environmentalist as Zardari
was the Environment Minister and later became a human rights activist.
Now a days education is the buzz word for World Bank and other donors,
so it is a good cloak to wear. BM expected that when he announced
TB's appointment, the Harvard crowd would burst into a thunderous
applause. No one even clapped as no one really knows TB.
Still
in Boston, many were waiting eagerly for the in-laws of BM’s
son, who were reportedly flying out of Pakistan “lock, stock
and barrel” after their names were revealed in the Motorway
project and the Rs 25 billion Golf Course, both top Musharraf scandals
as officials continue to maintain a tight lipped silence. The in-laws
may be coming to the US to meet their kids for a brief time, but
still if they have anything to do with these scandals, BM will have
to do a lot of explaining to future accountability seekers.
Bostonians
living in the neighbourhood of BM’s son are also getting the
feel of what tight security means. Last year when BM came to Boston
and stayed with his son, the entire neighbourhood was put to such
inconvenience, Pakistani diplomats had to send letters of apology
individually. This year the same problem was anticipated and one
diplomat came up with a novel idea: “Let us send the neighbours
an advance apology.” Whether this whiz kid got his idea implemented
is not clear.
One
scandal, which cannot be described by any other name, is the manner
in which the media managers of BM dish out thousands of dollars
to writers, columnists and journalists in the name of covering his
foreign visits. During the current visit as well, an invisible army
of journalists and officials has descended on New York, all paid
from the exchequer, but quietly, unofficially.
With
a straight face every spokesman can claim that the entourage of
BM is very small, just a couple of ministers or personal staff.
But in fact, instead of traveling like kings in chartered planes,
as the politicians used to do, the present lot has camouflaged the
operation, in commando style. Money is being spent in the same manner,
but under the table. How else are Pakistani journalists, all known
to have a soft corner for BM, flying into the Big Apple and staying
in big hotels. Their newspapers cannot, or do not, afford to send
one reporter. Yet even 3 or 4 from some organizations are present
now in NYC, even without telling their organizations.
Some
of these hacks were caught in a peculiar traffic jam, or air jam,
to be precise, trying to reach New York. They were supposed to board
the same PIA flight to Boston and New York on which BM was travelling.
Official spokesmen had announced from every roof top that BM was
so conscientious he had taken a commercial flight. Hardly any one
has been told that almost all the ordinary passengers, including
the journalists, were left amazed as BM's plane left three hours
ahead of schedule, yes earlier than scheduled. Security may be the
excuse, but no one except the "cleared" ones could board
the plane. LampPost was left guessing. "What is the difference
between a chartered plane and a security cleared flight, when no
one with a normal ticket is on board. Some of those hacks who consider
themselves too important, were also left out of "the"
flight. Who are they trying to kid, was an insulting question which
popped up too many times, in many minds.
Back in the homeland, the first official casualty-to-be of the October
Polls is now coming into clear view. A lot of tension between the
Governor of Punjab, a retired Lt General and the Choudhries of Gujrat,
the chosen “elected” leaders of Punjab, has been reported.
The Lahore corps commander is supporting his ex-uniformed colleague
but BM and his principal secretary, playing a king-maker’s
role, are for the Choudhries. The fight could only end in the sacking
of the Governor, who LampPost heard, is also a candidate for the
top political job of the province, the chief ministership, now being
tipped to go to the Choudhries.
In
fact one of these Choudhries, with the same name as BM, has started
acting as the CM, issuing orders for postings and transfers. So
much for fair elections, or selections, to come.
Selections
have also been made for the prime minister’s slot, LampPost
was told in the live-again Nadia Coffee shop of Islamabad’s
Marriot. Many say BM is keeping his cards to his chest and reportedly
told one aspirant, son of the General who blew up in a C-130 crash,
that he had three names, including that of the son. While BM did
not give the other two names to the son, LampPost understands a
former Prez, Leghari, was on top of that list but curiously close
by was a lady, Zeejay from Balochistan. What has BM seen in ZJ is
not clear. But if this lady is chosen, the male ZJ, a Jamali, would
be very upset. But who cares!
Reminded
by the talk of this C-130 General’s son, LampPost was looking
desperately for one guy, known as Shefta, a Pakistani businessman
with a Japanese wife, who believably acted as the middle-man on
every Pak-Japan deal struck between 1977 and 1988. There were said
to be bank transfers routed to the family via Middle East banks
where this son of the General was a banker. This looks like an episode
of the “Sopranos” the famous TV family of New Jersey.
Is this the supposed secret of this son’s leisure status?
Who knows!
After the publication of the list of Generals and Colonels who had
got lands in Bahawalpur, at throwaway rates, LampPost was curious
to find out who was this retired Colonel who had come out in very
strong defence of the land takers. Lo and Behold, this Col Jay turned
out to be a supplier of military equipment to the army who bought
a house worth over Rs20 million a couple of years ago in Westridge,
the home to many retired generals and colonels near the Rawalpindi
race course. Who says there is lack of fraternity between serving
and retired officials.
