Ground Report

A leading TV channel is launching a reality show to hunt for Pakistan’s "perfect Prime Minister". "This man or indeed woman could be completely unknown. Or it could be that astute and honest politician who long deserves recognition for integrity, competence, or even an ability to perform a deft Machiavellian manoeuvre," states the advertisement by ‘Dawn News channel’ for its new show. But the channel’s much-publicised show "Enter The PM", which will look for a make-believe Prime Minister who can "shepherd a nation of activists, not police a fold of huddled sheep", is being pooh-poohed "as a comedy in the ongoing circus". Some detractors are even suggesting that the perfect candidate will have to be imported. "In this age of outsourcing, it won’t be a bad idea for Pakistan to hire a Prime Minister," said one Kashmir Singh Bains in a discussion on the internet on Dawn News’ advertisement. The channel’s advertisement invites candidates who are bold and can uphold law without fear or favour, but their "actions must be tempered by the heart". The candidate should also be learned in the art of policy making, but not lacking in mobilising popular support for his policies. "He must be honest to a fault, but neither dull nor unimaginative as to be able to figure out white-collar crime", goes the ad.