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The Prime Minister is back from a much-hyped up journey to the United States. There has much been a lot of reportage on the trip, way before, even during, and will continue for a long time in the coming days and weeks. The theme of the trip was the a new definition in the decades-old roller coaster style relationship, and the PM and her aides made sure that everyone knew that she was the first leader from Pakistan to be the official guest of Uncle Sam after a tumultuous six year hiatus.

Notwithstanding the diatribe of PML’s mouthpiece Mushahid Hussein, everyone from Senator Kamal Azfar to Qaim Ali Shah, from the Washington Post to the Los Angeles Times, and from the full page advertisements of the Ministry of Petroleum to the press conferences of irrelevant PPP leaders, have hailed the sojourn and have termed the efforts of the PM in convincing the Great Man (Mr President to the 270 million Americans) that Pakistan is truly the allied of the allies, as the Field Marshall used to yahoo on his return from the Land of Abraham Lincoln and Davy Crockett.

The White House meeting, the trek to the Hill, the speeches to prestigious seats of learning, the pep talks to the Pakistanis, the rah-rah at PPP jalsas, the sales pitch to the investors, the signing of another batch of MoUs, the presentation of the now--notorious Rana Shaikh’s extravaganza spectacle, the tête-à-tête with people who matter, the PM did it all with aplomb and self-confidence, and sincerely got rave reviews. Pakistan is now back on the map of respectability. All credit to the Mohtrama. Who else could have done this, the silent majority in Pakistan wonder. Far out, for USA is now in Pakistan’s proverbial pocket, or more specifically, in the designer handbag of Benazir Bhutto.

The PM has mesmerized the folks back in the USA. Senators and Congressmen made a beeline to be near her. The average Joe and Jane on Main Street waited hours to catch a glimpse of the charming Lady of the Dupatta. New Yorkers who normally do not give a damn treated her as royalty. It was deja vu for those who remember Lady Diana’s hoopla of a visit way back. Every where and every place from Muncie, Indiana, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, the delightful topic of discussion was the Bhutto lady.

The best testimonials were the interviews by the creme de la creme of US media. The appearance on the Larry King Live was a coup for Pakistan. Time magazine had her on its cover too. How many Pakistanis have had this esteemed and singular honor, one may ask Mr Mushahid Hussein. Did Narashima Rao get even ten percent of the exposure that the Mohtrama received during this memorable trip. Or, for that matter, did any Pakistani leader all these decades ever get so much recognition or succeed in their mission or captivated the Americans as Benazir Bhutto ? No siree !

Therefore, it is the duty of the 130 million citizens of this dear land to befittingly honor the Prime Minister for bringing glory, respect, and fame to the country and the denizens. Bravo, Benazir, Bravo ! As a humble citizen of Pakistan, as a professed fan of the Prime Minister, and as a person who applauds excellence, the following proposals are presented for consideration and for implementation by the dedicated fellow citizens :

• April 11 be celebrated every year as PAK--USA FRIENDSHIP DAY, to commemorate the memorable Benazir-Clinton meeting.
• The month of May 1995 be celebrated as the Benazir Bhutto month. During these 31 days, the nation will pay homage to the success of the US visit.
• The celebrations will begin on May First, which incidentally is the Labor Day. The Armed Forces will present a 21 gun salute. The PM will hoist the green and white flag and give a nationally televised address, outlining her plans for the future.
• All major cities will host a Citizen’s reception for the PM on designated days. People from all walks of life will be invited.
• The City Fathers will present the Key of the City to the PM.
• All universities in Pakistan will bestow Doctorate degrees to the PM.
• The PPP will publish "Quotations of Chairperson Benazir" and distribute it universally.
• FPCCI and its member Associations and Chambers will sponsor newspaper supplements to honor the PM and her US visit.
• They will also sponsor TV programs prepared by PTV.
• The Ministry of Information will prepare a documentary on the life of the PM which will be sold on cheaper rates to people all over the country and arrangements will be made to air it on TV in different countries, including the ubiquitous Zee TV.
• The PTV will have a month-long program on the PM for the benefit of its viewers in 38 countries.
• Benazir Bhutto’s autobiography will become a compulsory reading tome in Pakistani colleges, and will be translated in all domestic languages.
• The government will institute a Benazir Bhutto Foundation for the benefit of destitute women and girls.
• People will sacrifice animals and distribute the meat to poor people in their localities.
• The Post Office will issue a set of stamps highlighting the PM’s career.
• The local PPP leaders will organize special programs to celebrate this month of festivity.
• Efforts will be made to enroll more and more citizens into the folds of this only national party which has roots in all cities, towns, and hamlets.
• All present or future "Lotas" in PPP will announce their comeback in the only party that matters. They will be pardoned and welcomed with open arms.
• The joint session of the Parliament will have a month-long debate on the successful trip to the USA.
• Conciliatory efforts will be made by the PM to the Leader of the Opposition during this month, and the Mian Sahib will, hopefully, reciprocate in the same spirit.
• Mir Murtaza Bhutto will announce the disbanding of his faction and will join hands with the PM at a rally to be held in Lyari.
• President Leghari will bestow the highest civilian award to the PM at a grand investiture ceremony to be held in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
• In fact, the President will also announce that the name of Gaddafi Stadium will be changed to Benazir Bhutto Stadium, a step which will be personally lauded by President Clinton and also by Clint Eastwood, not to mention Ross Perot.
• The major artistes of Pakistan and the top musical bands will record songs and videos which will extol the sagacity and acumen of the PM. Arrangements would also be made to play these on MTV and Channel V.
• All major cities will commission sculptors and artists to design monuments in honor of the PM. Donations will be solicited to build and install these monuments at strategic locations in those cities.
• Mothers giving birth to girls during the month will be requested to name their daughters Benazir in honor of the PM.
• The PM will magnanimously restore the status of the FPCCI office-bearers and also Tariq Saeed’s membership. Furthermore, she will invite them for tea and a chat.
• Prisoners will get a three month remission in their sentences.
• Three or four narco-trafficers will be extradited to the US during this month, while the Anti-narcotics sleuths will destroy heroin labs with a renewed vengeance.

The month of May 1995 will, of course, be the month of a new era for Pakistan. The recognition of and tribute to the triumph of the PM will usher in a period of economic and political stability, because the country will emerge after 31 days as a nation of cohesive and fraternal sensitivity. The politicians will invoke among themselves the burning desire to bring peace, and discard all notions of hostility and distrust. The PM will ensure that the PPP legislators and leaders will embark on an avenue of reconciliation and that they will accelerate their efforts to achieve the respect of the members of other parties. The people of Pakistan will welcome the foreign investment with open arms and hope for more jobs and better emoluments. The religious Rehbars will truly strive to demonstrate tolerance for all sects and thoughts, and resolutely shun all concepts of violent vendettas, which have now become so rife and widespread. Ethnicity will be discouraged. All ideas about a change in the government will be thrown out of the window. The Prime Minster of all Pakistanis will be Benazir Bhutto, Daughter of Destiny !