At the exact time, the white jeep, flying the State emblem on its bonnet, entered the ground. I opened the door for him. He shook hands with me, then the Hakim and Afarin Khan, who requested the Ruler to meet the Jirga after the Guard of honour.
The musicians played “Kul Sana Raba Sta Da”, the State Anthem and the soldiers presented Royal Salute. After that as he was going towards the Jirga, Sherin Hakim took his arm in unceremonial way, showing his intimacy with the Wali and took him to meet the Qazis first. Wali sahib met every Qazi and asked about their problems. He asked the Hakim to increase the salaries of the Qazis.
After meeting the Jirga, he signaled to me and we proceeded to the newly constructed Telephone Exchange. I thought it is all over for me now. He was accompanied by Shahzada Bahri Karam and Sher Muhammad Khan Wazir Mall. Wali Sahib objected on the newly developed wides in the wooden ceiling. I said as the work was carried out in emergency because the old exchange had collapsed and the installations were exposed to further damage. The wood used was not seasoned, resulting in chinks between the ceiling. I suggested covering the wides with wooden strips, two inch wide which he immediately approved.
Later we went to the under construction hospital. There he also appreciated the work. We returned to the School where tea was arranged in his honour. It was not just tea but a great feast. He entered the hall, took his seat and let the staff and Jirga to sit with him. General discussion started in which every Khan participated. Suddenly the Wali saw me standing outside the hall. He asked for me. I went inside and he very kindly asked me to sit opposite him at the table. That was a unique honour for me.
Thus my inspection and the Ruler’s visit came to a happy ending. While taking his seat in the Jeep, he asked me if I had some problem .I thanked him and said everything was right with me. So he left, waving to the locals.
After an hour of his departure Fasihul Lisan Hakim from Alpurai called me on phone while I was sitting with the Sherin Hakim Sahib and congratulated me on my good luck.
To Be Continued…
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