MUSHARRAF: Ah, the post of army chief. Well, it could be tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next decade . ..

ME: Okay, got the picture. But what about the poor judges of the Supreme Court whom you have arrested?

MUSHARRAF: The judges of the Supreme Court are fully functional and are preparing to allow me to hold all three offices even as we speak.

ME: What three offices? I thought you hold only two offices, that of army chief and president.

MUSHARRAF: Well you are behind the news, Madam. I have, as of the last half hour, become chief justice of Pakistan.

ME (weakly): Oh, congratulations, General.

MUSHARRAF: Thank you, thank you. Next question.

ME: So elections are on course, I presume.

MUSHARRAF: Two hundred per cent. Madam, you are speaking to the saviour of Pakistan’s democracy. You think I am liking this emergency? How can a true democrat like me enjoy imposing martial law, sorry, emergency? But do I have a choice? I have to struggle 24 hours, seven days a week, guarding Pakistan’s democracy, with only those police chaps to help.

ME: That’s extremely noble of you, General, if I may say so. By the way, what’s the deal with Benazir?

MUSHARRAF: We have a perfect arrangement. She struggles for democracy from within her home, I support democracy from outside her home.

ME (drily): Yes, that arrangement seems to be working perfectly from what I can gather. So when precisely will elections take place?

... contd.