"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 maneuver," 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.
Another response went: "Pakistan is full of qualified people ready for and capable of taking up the job. Trouble is that they do not come from the political houses of Pakistan -- Choudhari Brothers, Sharif Brothers, Bhutto Dynasty, Mullah Brigade, Nawabs, Sardars and Mirs -- this is where our next Prime Minister is going to come from."
"Enjoy this ad as a comedy in the ongoing circus and do not get too serious about it. After all this is a country of 160 million very competent leaders!" suggested Anwar, who saw the ad on a blog.