Boutique prison
The lawyer who represents detainees at Guantanamo Bay prison says it is “America’s tiniest boutique prison, reserved exclusively for alleged geriatric jihadists”. There is growing criticism in the US of the running costs of the prison, apparently now at $ 13 million per prisoner per year. And there are 40 men incarcerated at the facility, including the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks Khalid Sheikh Mohammad. The prisoners get halal food, access to satellite news and sports channels, workout equipment and PlayStations. Those who behave – and that has been the majority for years – get communal meals and can pray in groups, and some can attend art and horticulture classes. A mischievous journo was at a recent remand hearing of former premier SKA, and mentioned the Guantanamo debate in the US. When he spoke of the expense incurred on prisoners and the facilities provided to them, SKA joked that they should exchange places with PMLN stalwarts, and turn over the “geriatric jihadists” to Pakistan’s NABbers!
Hefty discount
Our mole says an important personage of the Punjab government went on a shopping spree in Lahore. The personage ended up at one of the most well stocked malls in the city and bought many articles, mostly of the imported variety. When the bill was toted up, it came to a whopping Rs 1.6 million. The personage asked the cashier for a discount, the cashier called the manager. The manager offered “5 percent”, which discount the personage dismissed out of hand. The demand was made for a “50 percent discount”, at which the manager nearly fainted but before he did so, he had the good sense to call the owner of the mall. The owner, a man who has suffered the entitled ruling classes of Pakistan for decades, and has also thrived off them, was quick to respond. “Grant the 50% discount immediately. Make sure no more goods are bought. Take Rs 800,000 and get them to leave immediately”. The personage paid Rs 8 lakhs in cash, took the goods and left.