May 5, 2002

The sweltering heat didn’t seem to deter the ladies who had gathered at the Governor’s house to meet the President in the afternoon. But what was more surprising was to see Fatima Surraiya Bajiya, Sultana Siddiqui and Khushbakht Shujaat, famous TV personalities, standing in line having their invitation and identity cards being checked at the entrance of the palatial house. That is the price one has to pay to see the Chief Executive of the country.

General Musharraf who had come to Karachi for the last leg of his trip to gather support for the referendum, which was to be held two days later, was meeting different groups since morning. The most important of the lot was the press, the editors of newspapers who were served lunch as well.

 

Just as a few women were about to faint from the heat, in walked the entourage, led by the Chief Executive wearing a black half sleeve shirt looking young and energetic, which was a surprise as he had been touring cities in the heat
 

The various women’s groups who were seated in the garden under only the protection of the tent cover had to wait one hour beyond the allocated time in the oppressive heat (the hottest day after 1947), as the journalists took up more time than was allowed and the President seemed to oblige. After all, the press is the fourth estate and the ruler needed all their support. The women in the meantime were served squashes. Only the prominent women were served by a snobbish waiter who refused to serve ladies who were not prominent — they had to go to the tables themselves and procure the squash drinks.

Surprisingly, the first three rows were reserved with a sign blatantly stating ‘prominent ladies’ on the side. The word ‘reserved’ would have done the job without hurting feelings. Most of the women found this in bad taste and whoever was responsible for putting this sign up should be taken to task. Fatima Surraiya Bajiya was one of the lucky few who were seated in the front rows. Unfortunately, she had to leave after a while because she was flying off to Japan that day. Sultana Siddiqui and Khushbakht Shujaat sat at the back along with Salma Ahmed and Salma Waheed, Waheed Murad’s wife.

Just as a few women were about to faint from the heat, in walked the entourage, led by President Musharraf wearing a black half sleeve shirt looking young and energetic, which was a surprise as he had been touring cities for the past few weeks in the heat. Someone bitchily remarked, not too loudly, that he was better looking than his wife, to which nearly all agreed. On stage to his right sat the Sindh Governor, assisting him whenever the need arose, which was not too many times, and on the right sat the Corps Commander. Before the three most influential men in Sindh at that moment, sat the three most influential women, namely their wives. All the three wives had two things in common — they’re tall and fair.

The President spoke briefly and went through a not so brief question answer session, as many ladies protested for not being given time and were thus allowed to ask questions. Many ladies were left with their arms up in the end. There were some questions that irked the Chief Executive and one can’t blame him, and there were others that he very professionally swept aside. He has definitely become a true politician. All too soon the meeting was over as he had to go to the Quaid’s Mazaar for a public meeting.

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