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"But the crackdown proves America's strong influence over Musharraf!" "No," he said. "The crackdown exposes America's weak influence over Musharraf!"
"No," he said. "America is sad Musharraf has cracked down on the jehadis in Lal Mosque!"
"But the crackdown proves America’s strong influence over Musharraf!" "No," he said. "The crackdown exposes America’s weak influence over Musharraf!"
"Musharraf accepted your advice," I protested.
"No, Musharraf always rejected our advice! He refused to act against the jehadis whenever we asked him to," he said.
"You mean Musharraf ordered the crackdown without any external pressure?" "No, I mean Musharraf ordered the crackdown under China’s pressure. He did for China what he refused to do for us!"
"Well, see the silver lining. At least China is now fighting the war against terror to help America!" "No," he said. "China is helping the war against terror to harm America!"
"But you just said China wants to curb the jehadis of the Lal Mosque!" "Yes, but China wants to promote the jehadis of Afghanistan and Iraq!"
"You mean China promotes terror in Afghanistan but prevents terror in Islamabad?" "No, I mean China promotes business in Pakistan but prevents business in Afghanistan!"
"China promotes business in Pakistan by persecuting jehadis?" "No, China promotes business in Pakistan by protecting the Chinese!"
"China is protecting Chinese businesses that are converting Pakistan’s economy?" "No, China is protecting Chinese brothels that are subverting Pakistan’s polity!"
"Pakistan’s army and ISI must be worried over the anger of NWFP jehadis because of the crackdown!" "No, Pakistan’s army and ISI are relieved over the joy of China because of the crackdown!"
"China is happy because brothels are protected?" "No, China is happy because Xingjian is protected! The jehadis of Pakistan include separatist Uighurs from Xingjian!"
"So the good thing is that now differences between the army and Musharraf could decrease!"
"But the bad thing is that differences between NWFP and Punjab could increase!"
"Well," I said. "All’s well that ends well! This crackdown might make Musharraf!" "No, all’s not well," he said. "This crackdown could break Pakistan!"
(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)