Chaudhrys on the western route

While the hospitality of the House of Gujrat or the Chaudhrys of Gujrat has always been marked by Ch. Shujaat Hussain's standing offer "Roti shoti kha kay jao" (have food and then go), the latest dinner thrown by former Punjab Chief Minister Ch. Parvez Ellahi in honour of British High Commissioner Mr. Thomas Drew CMG, indicates that PML-Q leadership has restarted a diplomatic offensive to woo the global powers that be. The focus is on going the western route now that enough seems to have been 'experienced' on the eastern front (both good and bad experiences included). Even otherwise, now is an era of western route (whether it be the western route of CPEC or certificates of appreciation from the West which add to the 'credentials' of political heavyweights). 

As for this dinner, this just can't be a simple dinner confined to merely good gossip and serving of sumptuous food. Obviously, politicians as astute, versatile and experienced as Chaudhry brothers just can't be expected to hold dinner receptions without any political consideration in sight or without any political farsightedness and calculation.  

No doubt, they are hospitable  leaders, welcoming to outsiders and insiders alike but thinking that their gestures are just limited to traditional exchanges of pleasantries, is out of question. 

If one goes into the track record of the House of Gujrat, it has been engaged in such events during the days of Ch. Zahoor Ellahi as well when people from abroad would be invited off and on and treated in quite a friendly manner, making them feel 'at home' while out of home. 

The conviction seems to be 'be pleasing, keep pleasing, the ice will break one day whether directly or indirectly'.  

PML-Q leadership is therefore continuing to show perseverance in its goodwill moves (luncheons, dinners with exchange of views) and earning certificates of appreciation like the one that they got from the British High Commissioner who said that he had already been in Pakistan and was impressed by the Chaudhry brothers' spirit of service to the people as well as Ch Parvez Ellahi's dedication to public welfare in the shape of 1122 Rescue Service. 

There were many other diplomats from various countries who were present during the dinner and who are reported to have endorsed Mr Drew's remarks. 

Are the Chaudhries working hard on this 'project' with the hope that these remarks will turn the tables one or two years hence and translate into popular goodwill among the masses, specifically during the 2018 elections, only Chaudhries or their foreign friends can answer this question.