With President Pervez Musharraf settling in for a controversial second term leading TV channel is launching a reality show to hunt for Pak 'perfect Prime Minister'
ISLAMABAD: With President Pervez Musharraf settling in for a controversial second term after shedding uniform, a leading TV channel is launching a reality show to hunt for Pakistan's 'perfect Prime Minister'
"This man or indeed woman could be completely unknown. Or it could be that astute and honest politician who long deserves recognition for integrity, competence, or even an ability to perform a deft Machiavellian maneuver," states the advertisement by 'Dawn News channel' for its new show.
But the channel's much-publicised show "Enter The PM", which will look for a make-believe Prime Minister who can "shepherd a nation of activists, not police a fold of huddled sheep", is being pooh-poohed "as a comedy in the ongoing circus". Some detractors are even suggesting that the perfect candidate will have to be imported.
"In this age of outsourcing, it won't be a bad idea for Pakistan to hire a Prime Minister," said one Kashmir Singh Bains in a discussion on the internet on Dawn News' advertisement.
Another response went: "Pakistan is full of qualified people ready for and capable of taking up the job. Trouble is that they do not come from the political houses of Pakistan -- Choudhari Brothers, Sharif Brothers, Bhutto Dynasty, Mullah Brigade, Nawabs, Sardars and Mirs -- this is where our next Prime Minister is going to come from."
"Enjoy this ad as a comedy in the ongoing circus and do not get too serious about it. After all this is a country of 160 million very competent leaders!" suggested Anwar, who saw the ad on a blog.
Anwar's friend Mahmood even nominated "Dubya" (US President George W Bush) for the job, saying the post should go to him "since he got us into this mess".
On a more serious note, some have shortlisted Pakistan's top lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry for the job.
"The only realistic choice would be Iftikhar Chaudhry. Not perfect (who is?), but honest and liked by people. Plus he has nothing better to do anymore," said one respondent.
The channel's advertisement invites candidates who are bold and can uphold law without fear or favour, but their "actions must be tempered by the heart".
The candidate should also be learned in the art of policy making, but not lacking in mobilising popular support for his policies. "He must be honest to a fault, but neither dull nor unimaginative as to be able to figure out white-collar crime", goes the ad.
Adil Najam, an avid blogger, posted the ad on his blog. "May be a national conversation does need to be held on who (or what qualities) makes for a good Prime Minister?" he wrote.
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