Who are we kidding?

The presidential system of governance is with us in full flow though we continually boast that Pakistan operates under the parliamentary system as dictated by Westminster. The presidential post remains as it has done for almost a decade - supreme, the jewel in the flawed tawdry crown that Pakistan has now become under the watch of its various leaderships. Properly, and according to the prevailing system, the prime minister has been relegated to his rightful place - which is practically nowhere.

Meanwhile, those on an even lower rung continue to manifest evidence of a huge disconnect. The unelected man in charge of the internal security of the country, the unofficial interior minister, is either prone to telling porkies or he knows not what he says.

What was his ploy in announcing to the world that wisdom had saved the leadership of the Republic which had decided against feasting at the doomed Marriott on September 20? What was his aim - he knew there was never such a plan? The party was moved from the Parliament House, which could possibly be a suicide bomber's target, to the prime ministerial hacienda which is an impossible target for a dumper truck.

Rahman Malik's reputation is hardly shining and is decreasing by leaps and bounds as the days pass and the bombs blow. He presided over the security arrangements of Benazir Bhutto and we know how successful he was at that. Now he has the nation at his mercy.