Word has it that at the last cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the PM's Adviser on Interior, Rehman Malik decided to advise none other than the PM's Adviser on Finance, Shaukat Tarin, on guess what? The economy, of course. His pearls of wisdom "Why does Pakistan have to go to the IMF? I could have raised that money myself". We hear that a piqued Tarin pointed out the fundamentals of a good economy. "Malik Sahib, the state of the economy is related to our law and order situation. If you do your job right, the economy will automatically recover". We hear Malik Sahib is indeed working on the law and order problem in his own way. It is not certain that he wears a bullet-proof jacket. but he does move around in a prime minister-like 10-car motorcade which includes two bullet-proof Range Rovers. He could be in any one of them. * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was said of former US President Ford, "He cannot walk and chew gum at the same time". Well our President can. At the recent Inter-faith Conference in New York, President Zardari was seen chewing gum as he walked up to the podium to deliver his address to the august gathering. His Military Secretary was seen handing him a copy of his speech as per Pakistani protocol. The audience watched as the President then removed the gum from his mouth in style and then stuck it on the nearest thing at hand" the lectern. Speech over, the janitor of the building was seen rushing to the dais, removing the presidential gum and spray-cleaning the lectern, just in time for the next speaker. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Apparently the mosque at the Sharif complex in Raiwind has seen a tremendous revival. In the days of the late patriarch of the Sharif family, the place was jampacked with worshippers looking for an opportunity to kneel before their Maker and also rub shoulders with "Abaji". In the years of the Sharif family exile, the mosque took on a deserted look. Few answered the Imam's call for prayer. However, it may just be a coincidence, but with the Sharifs back in residence and power, once again this particular mosque is drawing droves of worshippers. Some, like a Chaudhry from Rahim Yar Khan with Emirate connections, actually drive miles to pray here.