Valima of Babar Ghori’s son , Swiss and German receptions
Salahuddin Haider
Sunday, July 31, 2011 - Despite street killings, power outages getting worse, and soaring prices adding to people’s miseries, Karachi remains the liveliest city of the country, with its wedding parties, diplomatic receptions, and arts council performances of fine arts. The most important event of the week was the valima party for Babar Ghori’s son Ahmed with Sehrish. It was a memorable gathering, comprising of all categories of people. Politicians from different affiliations, including PPP, were there. Journalists, business elite and the ruling class had all ample representation at the Expo centre near the national stadium.
The senator from Karachi, who was also minister in the government for more than one occasion, arranged the nikah ceremony of his son in the American city of Houston earlier this month, in which several people from Karachi were also invited.
For the last two months, a wedding galore had gripped this city.Obviously everyone was keen to have his son or daughter tied in the nuptial knot before the Holy month of Ramazan. There were atleast 6 or 7 parties almost a day for more than 60 days.
Then comes the diplomats receptions.The Swiss Consul General DidierBoschung held a gala reception to celebrate the 720th national day of his country, a confederation with 2596 communes, and 26 cantons, which is a tribute to its system of governance. Switzerland was one country, which despite being in the midst of the Hitlerite and the allied forces of combined Europe, and America, managed to protect itself from war ravages. This was a credit to its government’s farsightedness, with which it maintained its neutrality.
Even today, it has a system of local governments, where communes and cantons run the affairs in their respective areas. Their system, working perfectly for so many centuries, is a role model for those believing in decentralization and autonomy to provinces. Unlike Pakistan where 18th amendment restored parovincial autonomy but only in name.Majority of the subjects continue to be the federal government in Islamabad, and now except Punjab, the remaining three provinces are ready to pass on their powers to issue arms license to the federal government
This looks like some kind of a joke. Provinces first refused to accept ministries without enough funds, and then are parting with their powers. On the other side, the prime minister has sanctioned three new ministries at the centre.The number of ministers were reduced to a just above 22.It has swelled again, and even those ministries which were transferred to provinces, their federal ministers have continued to remain in power in Islamabad, little realizing that they are a burden on the exchequer.
The party in power seems to be completely indifferent with the multitude of problems facing the people and the country. Internationally we have lost our image, and stand isolated in the comity of nations Threats have been held out by the American governments despite our enormous sacrifices in the war against terror, and yet Washington keeps applying pressure either as a blackmail measure or for a genuine desire to minimize Pakistan’s importance in the region.Hillary Clinton has already declared India as the regional leader, under what authority and why, only Hillary or her State Department can explain.
At the Swiss reception, attended by a large number of guests, a unique presentation was a huge, almost 10 feet long, bugle, played by musician Jenet who had flown to Karachi only for the particular reception and just for a day.Janet, attired in colourful costume, explained that the instrument is used in the Alps mountain in Switzerland for attracting people, living at considerable distances.
The german consul general Dr Christian Brecht was given a farewell by his country’s ambassador Dr Micheal Koch on being transferred to Ottawa in Canada. Brecht was a loving and affectionate person and many eyes were wet on bidding him farewell.He spent two years in Karachi but presented a wonderful picture of his country and also portrayed as a peaceful, lively country in Germany. His contribution was enormous in building good relations between the two country. The Ambassador Dr Koch in his speech assured Karachiites that their city will remain a centre of attention for German government. He said he himself would keep coming to Karachi of and on to be in touch with the business community, concentrated in Karachi.
A day earlier than that. The German consul general was feted for leaving Karachi on completion of his assignment by Sajid Ali, the country chief of the German firm BAASF at his house which again was a touching event.So Karachi remains agog with its social and cultural life. The Arts Council held an evening with poet Amjad Islam Amjad and had earlier credited itself with some half a dozen beautiful events, including a concert of semi classical music, and international conferences on Urdu literature and the likes.
The senator from Karachi, who was also minister in the government for more than one occasion, arranged the nikah ceremony of his son in the American city of Houston earlier this month, in which several people from Karachi were also invited.
For the last two months, a wedding galore had gripped this city.Obviously everyone was keen to have his son or daughter tied in the nuptial knot before the Holy month of Ramazan. There were atleast 6 or 7 parties almost a day for more than 60 days.
Then comes the diplomats receptions.The Swiss Consul General DidierBoschung held a gala reception to celebrate the 720th national day of his country, a confederation with 2596 communes, and 26 cantons, which is a tribute to its system of governance. Switzerland was one country, which despite being in the midst of the Hitlerite and the allied forces of combined Europe, and America, managed to protect itself from war ravages. This was a credit to its government’s farsightedness, with which it maintained its neutrality.
Even today, it has a system of local governments, where communes and cantons run the affairs in their respective areas. Their system, working perfectly for so many centuries, is a role model for those believing in decentralization and autonomy to provinces. Unlike Pakistan where 18th amendment restored parovincial autonomy but only in name.Majority of the subjects continue to be the federal government in Islamabad, and now except Punjab, the remaining three provinces are ready to pass on their powers to issue arms license to the federal government
This looks like some kind of a joke. Provinces first refused to accept ministries without enough funds, and then are parting with their powers. On the other side, the prime minister has sanctioned three new ministries at the centre.The number of ministers were reduced to a just above 22.It has swelled again, and even those ministries which were transferred to provinces, their federal ministers have continued to remain in power in Islamabad, little realizing that they are a burden on the exchequer.
The party in power seems to be completely indifferent with the multitude of problems facing the people and the country. Internationally we have lost our image, and stand isolated in the comity of nations Threats have been held out by the American governments despite our enormous sacrifices in the war against terror, and yet Washington keeps applying pressure either as a blackmail measure or for a genuine desire to minimize Pakistan’s importance in the region.Hillary Clinton has already declared India as the regional leader, under what authority and why, only Hillary or her State Department can explain.
At the Swiss reception, attended by a large number of guests, a unique presentation was a huge, almost 10 feet long, bugle, played by musician Jenet who had flown to Karachi only for the particular reception and just for a day.Janet, attired in colourful costume, explained that the instrument is used in the Alps mountain in Switzerland for attracting people, living at considerable distances.
The german consul general Dr Christian Brecht was given a farewell by his country’s ambassador Dr Micheal Koch on being transferred to Ottawa in Canada. Brecht was a loving and affectionate person and many eyes were wet on bidding him farewell.He spent two years in Karachi but presented a wonderful picture of his country and also portrayed as a peaceful, lively country in Germany. His contribution was enormous in building good relations between the two country. The Ambassador Dr Koch in his speech assured Karachiites that their city will remain a centre of attention for German government. He said he himself would keep coming to Karachi of and on to be in touch with the business community, concentrated in Karachi.
A day earlier than that. The German consul general was feted for leaving Karachi on completion of his assignment by Sajid Ali, the country chief of the German firm BAASF at his house which again was a touching event.So Karachi remains agog with its social and cultural life. The Arts Council held an evening with poet Amjad Islam Amjad and had earlier credited itself with some half a dozen beautiful events, including a concert of semi classical music, and international conferences on Urdu literature and the likes.
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