04 July 2004	Sunday	15 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 3: Former Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali left his official residence in a quiet way and took a train from Rawalpindi to Jacobabad on Saturday morning.

He and his family was scheduled to reach his home town Rojhan Jamali, about 20 minutes drive from Jacobabad, at 7.50 am Sunday morning (today).

This may be the first time that a Prime Minister left his official residence in a normal way and then took a train to his hometown along with his family.

There were no khaki trucks outside PM House, no tension, no surveillance and not even the spooky journalists trying to capture this historic shot on camera. His personal staff accompanied him in the cavalcade to see him off at Rawalpindi Railway Station, from where he took Quetta Express at 11.10 am. "There is nobody from your friends," asked a journalist, sarcastically hinting at the conspicuous absence of Chaudhary Shujaat or other politicians who would not leave his side when he was the prime minister.

"Yes, there are no acquaintances but I have my friends here," responded Jamali while pointing to a handful of his personal friends that included his former political advisor, Brig (retired) Mansoor Hamid, former principal secretary Naseeruddin and personal secretary Yahya Munawar. There was an aura of sadness in the atmosphere, though Jamali was trying his best to remain cheerful.

It was even sadder at the PM House, say eye witnesses. The staff at the PM House, though accustomed to see such departures after every two years or so, was unusually tearful. Jamali's eldest son Farid had already left for Karachi. Another son Shahnawaz, who was also his aide, had joined his unit in Rawalpindi.

Jamali, according to sources, spent the last few days in the PM House, packing his things personally, playing with his grand children besides receiving occasional guests, including Prime Minister Chaudhary Shujaat and prime minister-to-be Shaukat Aziz. But the most important visitor was President Musharraf, who paid a visit along with the First Lady two days after Jamali's resignation. The President stayed with the Jamali clan for about 45 minutes, which was seen as his way of reciprocating Jamali's bowing out without any hassle. In the Presidential farewell dinner that followed Jamali is believed to have opened his heart.

He talked about the sorry state of affairs, where his leaving the big post would not solve the problem. It was more of an appeal than a sermon expressed in the most humble way. His humility was so touching that those, who attended the dinner said it was a heart rendering experience. Many eyes welled up with tears. Even President Musharraf felt the sadness and stood up and started clapping. Jamali was given a standing ovation. Whether this was just disorientation exercise to keep Jamali politically quiet and neutral for some more weeks is yet to be seen.

Some believe that the establishment might compensate him for his cooperation in signing off the highest post in the country and saving the establishment from what could have been more embarrassing. But the goodwill created by his smooth departure is still not good enough to earn him the important slot of PML President. However, his sympathizers believe that he might be made either National Assembly Speaker or given an equally important assignment.

Jamali wants to take get away from Islamabad's messy politics and spend some time peacefully in his village, say sources. But this was by no means the end of Zafarullah Jamali's political career. He retains his seat in the National Assembly and wants to carry on his politics. He has requested the Balochistan government to allot him his old room, numbered 414, at Islamabad's Balochistan House. "Tomorrow is another day," quipped a friend of Jamali when asked about his future plans.