Kuwait reception: Mustafa Kamal was the attraction
Salahuddin Haider
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - Karachi—Country’s political situation, changing at a much faster speed than had been largely anticipated, has been the hot subject of discussion at the 51st Kuwait national day reception last Saturday. The Kuwaiti Consul General Nasser Reden Ali Motairi had invited a galaxy of people, drawn from all sections of the society. There was the Sindh Assembly speaker Nisar Khuhro as the principal guest, business elite, journalists, diplomats. But former city Mayor Mustafa Kamal stole the limelight by his presence.
He was the main attraction for most people, and most of the time found himself surrounded by host of his admirers. They all praised him for what he did to uplift the face of Karachi, the largest city and the commercial capital of the country. Some people did not see much charm in his being nominated for the senatorship by the MQM, But Mustafa Kamal was just relaxed, took the bit with a pinch of salt, never showing though. His inimitable style and smiles, always glittering his face, was there all the time. I am Nothing.It is the party and its leadership that matters. I am ready for any kind of services, the party wishes me to do.
But his fan club seems to have expanded, rather than shrink which has normally been our national character. We in Pakistan are tuned to salute the chair or the office of importance, and not the man or woman behind it. Muatafa Bhai somehow has been so humble throughout his almost four and half years in office as city nazim, that people not only remember his good work for the city, but also love his humility and courtesy.
The reception itself will remain memorable for a long time to come, for its knowledgeable audience, and for its delightful cuisine, which I am sure, Mr Motairi had taken lot of pains to pick for his guests. Pakistani and arab dishes were in plenty, served by a major chain of hotel, whose manager, catering was there to personally supervise that invitees were treated well and enjoyed the feast.
Motairi himself, a humble and smiling gentleman, took great care of those present there. National anthem of Kuwait and Pakistan were played, after which a cake was cut to celebrate the occasion. Outside by the side of the swimming pool, the British Deputy High Commissioner Francis Campbell exchanged pleasantries with well know businessman Majyd Azeez Balaganwalla, jovially asking him not to drown himself in the pool.” otherwise we have Salahuddin is here( pointing towards me) to get a hot story for his write up. It was all laughter, Francis is a delightful personality. In my memory , perhaps he is the first Irish to hold that senior assignment in Karachi. There have been lot of Scotts before also in various positions. But Francis likes to cut jokes, and enjoys digs at him. Such diplomats help build a great image of their country at places of their posting. Francis excels in that.
The US consul General William Martin was equally jolly. Likes to exchange jokes with people, and more often than not he being the representative of the only super power of the world, is naturally, finds people around him, keen to exchange notes with him. He respects the views of the people, even if they criticize America for its policies in the world or the region, but does try to convince people the benefits behind it. America is liked by all in Pakistan( I will write about it separately in a couple of days, therefore limiting myself on the subject here for a more detailed piece on the topic). The Russian consul general Andrey Demidov,, the Saudi and the UAE counterparts Rohaili and Sohail had their own admirers. Also present was Baqar Gokal, involved in mercantile business, like the senior Mustafa Gokal, who once was our shipping minister. Also present e there were the Kuwait Petroleum company general manager for Pakistan who disclosed that her company has now started giving fuel in addition to diesel to Pakistan on 60 days credit, This is a happy development. Szabist educationist Fauzia explained how quickly her institute for specialization, had expanded to have five campuses and 4,500 students. This is fantastic growth. Walking or driving around the Swiss or the British diplomatic missions now is a tough job because of the students crowding the narrow byelanes and streets from SZabist.
He was the main attraction for most people, and most of the time found himself surrounded by host of his admirers. They all praised him for what he did to uplift the face of Karachi, the largest city and the commercial capital of the country. Some people did not see much charm in his being nominated for the senatorship by the MQM, But Mustafa Kamal was just relaxed, took the bit with a pinch of salt, never showing though. His inimitable style and smiles, always glittering his face, was there all the time. I am Nothing.It is the party and its leadership that matters. I am ready for any kind of services, the party wishes me to do.
But his fan club seems to have expanded, rather than shrink which has normally been our national character. We in Pakistan are tuned to salute the chair or the office of importance, and not the man or woman behind it. Muatafa Bhai somehow has been so humble throughout his almost four and half years in office as city nazim, that people not only remember his good work for the city, but also love his humility and courtesy.
The reception itself will remain memorable for a long time to come, for its knowledgeable audience, and for its delightful cuisine, which I am sure, Mr Motairi had taken lot of pains to pick for his guests. Pakistani and arab dishes were in plenty, served by a major chain of hotel, whose manager, catering was there to personally supervise that invitees were treated well and enjoyed the feast.
Motairi himself, a humble and smiling gentleman, took great care of those present there. National anthem of Kuwait and Pakistan were played, after which a cake was cut to celebrate the occasion. Outside by the side of the swimming pool, the British Deputy High Commissioner Francis Campbell exchanged pleasantries with well know businessman Majyd Azeez Balaganwalla, jovially asking him not to drown himself in the pool.” otherwise we have Salahuddin is here( pointing towards me) to get a hot story for his write up. It was all laughter, Francis is a delightful personality. In my memory , perhaps he is the first Irish to hold that senior assignment in Karachi. There have been lot of Scotts before also in various positions. But Francis likes to cut jokes, and enjoys digs at him. Such diplomats help build a great image of their country at places of their posting. Francis excels in that.
The US consul General William Martin was equally jolly. Likes to exchange jokes with people, and more often than not he being the representative of the only super power of the world, is naturally, finds people around him, keen to exchange notes with him. He respects the views of the people, even if they criticize America for its policies in the world or the region, but does try to convince people the benefits behind it. America is liked by all in Pakistan( I will write about it separately in a couple of days, therefore limiting myself on the subject here for a more detailed piece on the topic). The Russian consul general Andrey Demidov,, the Saudi and the UAE counterparts Rohaili and Sohail had their own admirers. Also present was Baqar Gokal, involved in mercantile business, like the senior Mustafa Gokal, who once was our shipping minister. Also present e there were the Kuwait Petroleum company general manager for Pakistan who disclosed that her company has now started giving fuel in addition to diesel to Pakistan on 60 days credit, This is a happy development. Szabist educationist Fauzia explained how quickly her institute for specialization, had expanded to have five campuses and 4,500 students. This is fantastic growth. Walking or driving around the Swiss or the British diplomatic missions now is a tough job because of the students crowding the narrow byelanes and streets from SZabist.
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