72 Hours in Pakistan, Despite All Odds

After an invitation to go to Pakistan two years ago which I ignored and proceeded on scholarship for a study in India, the conveners of this year’s World Mathematical Thinkers event, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan and Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur ensured that I took part in the annual event this year. […]

After an invitation to go to Pakistan two years ago which I ignored and proceeded on scholarship for a study in India, the conveners of this year’s World Mathematical Thinkers event, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan and Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur ensured that I took part in the annual event this year.
India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, share borders, culture and close social affinities, yet they have uncomfortable relationships. Many Pakistanis are convinced that India wants their country to be destroyed. India, on the other hand, sees Pakistan as a hotbed of Islamic terrorism which, if not checked, could allow the flow of terrorists into India.
Few days to my departure to Pakistan, the media, international and local, reported the story of a  cold war between Pakistan and India over the detention of Nigerian students suspected to be terrorists.
I heard  stories about radicalised Nigerian students traveling to join ISIS through India-Pakistan border. The stories were scary, yet, I said to myself: If  I had previously travelled to India share my ideas, why can’t I accept an invitation from its Muslim-dominated neighbour?
However, many people, friends and well-wishers, said to me, “There are many countries you can travel to, why Pakistan? It is not safe to go there. If Pakistan stamps your passport, you would no longer be tranted  US or European  countries’ visa.”
During the screening at Abuja airport before we departed, I was surprised that travellers to other countries were given a kind of thoroughfare. Those travelling to the US, UK, Singapore, India, Turkey, France, Spain, Lebanon and many others were treated better than I was treated. When these travellers mentioned those countries in response to the question: “Where are you travelling to?” they were told to go without further question. But immediately I mentioned Pakistan, the officials started throwing questions, one after another, seeking to know what I was going to Pakistan to do and who invited me.
Normally, if I wanted to travel abroad, I informed my parents. I called my mum and said I was travelling to Islamabad. I knew if I said I was going to Pakistan, she would scream because she knows Pakistan and the story of bomb blasts or attacks on students during classes. But when she heard Islamabad, she still asked: “Where is that, is it in Africa?” I said no. I said it is very close to India where I studied before, and she wished me safe journey.
At the airport, I met a uniformed senior officer who was my school mate, but on hearing that I was traveling to Pakistan,  pretended he never knew me.
I went to Pakistan to present the same research work I presented in India at a conference under the theme: “Algebra, Geometry, Statics and Analysis.” The organisers of this conference invited over 156 researchers and thinkers from over 60 nations.
The forum was sponsored by the Mathematical Society, Advanced Institute of Mathematical Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, and the Preston University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
I was frequently asked how I became involved in mathematics. I fell in love with maths at the age of 6. I used my fingers, rocks, sticks to practice my mathematics. I eventually did not end up studying mathematics but the fact that I’m not a mathematician does not mean that I cannot share my ideas with the rest of the world in order to solve a problem or create solution to issues.
Many people around the world thought mathematics was all about calculation or formula like a + b + = c or 2 + 2 = 4, but it is about the science of ideas. Everybody is a mathematician, as long as you can calculate to solve an issue. Math is the backbone of any subject in the world.
I found out during the forum, for example, how a journalist could  use data to do his stories.  Many journalists are yet to know how strong a story based on analyses of polls, stock, bonds, population, and financial budget could be. I also understood that maths is everywhere around us. With maths you can present a cold hard fact using numbers.
I also remember some tips which many reporters who choose to apply mathematical numbers during or when reporting a story needing data analysis and statistics could use.
DAY 1
I was surprised when two young researchers, Khan and Sabir from Pakistan, came forward to take pictures with participants, knowing that the need of the forum was to create a platform where the brightest contemporary minds in computer science and mathematics have an opportunity to freely interact with prominent scientists in their field.
While we were busy taking pictures, one young lady wearing a dress (Niqab) covering her face and entire body, approached us with her camera in her hand and asked a passer-by to help her take pictures with us. After that, she came closer to me and checked my tag, announced my name, and said welcome to our country. Introducing herself, she said, “I am Rabi’ad, a PhD student from Faisalabad. I want us to use this opportunity, if we can, to deepen our discussion during lunch and to get to know your fields of research work.”
During our discussion, Rabi’ad talked about women education in the field of mathematics, convincing me that women could teach mathematics best to children in communities. But she, regrettably, sought to know why people can’t travel to another country because they  hold  Pakistani passports. “We need freedom of movement, especially to go and acquire education which is so difficult among us, girls,  in Pakistan,” she said.
She asked me to turn around to see if I could identify two young guys, saying: “You see that boy with a black cloth, he is my brother, same father and same mum, while the second one is my cousin. We came away from another city. We spent about eight hours to reach Islamabad by road. Initially, my dad refused to allow me to come and accomplish my dream to attend this conference and defend my thesis, due to the security situation, which partially forms the reasons why some of us find it difficult to pursue western education. That was the reason why my dad asked my brother to follow me.”
Although her story was the only one I heard, I knew there were thousands of Pakistani girls who have stories to tell about how their dreams of acquiring western education suffer many challenges, with many of them ending up not getting realised.
After the session closed, we all went for a city sightseeing to Islamabad from the venue of the event.
Islamabad
Islamabad is a beautiful city. It is the capital city and the fastest growing urban settlement in Pakistan after Karachi. As the seat of the government of Pakistan, there are tree-lined streets beautifying the various sectors and zones of the city.
The city sits at the high Margalla Hills in the Himalayan foothills. Its residents often boast of living in one of the world’s “greenest cities. I viewed the whole town from top of the hills, super view with clouds, so beautiful that I did not want to blink my eyes. I miss the beautiful blue skies of Margalla Hills which create an awesome view, nice place to visit with family and friends. I heard that residents visit the hills frequently in summer in order to get relief from the hot weather.
DAY 2
After our session, about 5:30 in the evening, we went for another city sightseeing before our conference dinner.
Lake View Park
The man-made lake view is a spot that symbolises the beauty of nature. A mini-zoo housing different varieties of birds is maintained there for the entertainment of tourists. Boating and horse riding are all available too for both foreigners and Pakistan visitors, with a small amusement park also operated for children within the park.
Faisal Mosque
One of the main attractions in Islamabad is the mosque built by the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi-Arabia, on his visit to Islamabad in 1966. An international competition was held in which architects from 17 countries submitted 43 architectural proposals. The winning design was that of a Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, and the mosque was completed in 1986. Both the mosque and the road leading to it were named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz who died in 1975.
The Faisal Mosque covers an area of 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq ft). It can accommodate 10,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall, 24,000 in its porticoes, 40,000 in its courtyard and another 200,000 in its adjoining grounds. We offered the Maghrib prayer there in a congregation. Many professional photographers love to capture the beautiful mosque in their camera.
We headed to our dinner venue, were I heard more stories about the faces of courage from both sides of men and women in Pakistan. Majority of the brilliant students there are women, even the men acknowledge that. I found out from the teachers and students that Pakistani girls are more brilliant than the men at any point. Perhaps, when the spate of bombing and shooting during class subsides, Pakistan might produce the best female students around the world one day.
Generally, the people live with the fear of getting attacked by terrorists who feel that providing western education for girls is a sin. The case of Malala who was a victim of the terrorist attacks, is always fresh in the minds of the Pakistanis.
Another PhD student, who shares same name with the Alqaeda leader, Osama, said that he wanted to further his study abroad before, lamenting, however, that he cannot go anywhere from Pakistan. When I asked why he couldn’t travel abroad, he said that he can be a victim of abuse outside his country, mainly because of his name. Generally, many Pakistani citizens tend to prefer staying in their country for security reason.
As we came back to our lodge, ready to sleep, I heard someone knocking on my door. I opened the door and the person gave me a piece of a paper with a new schedule of the programme. He said that the following day’s session would open with me serving as a key speaker, for 40 minutes, instead of 20 minutes and, after that, I should chair the session after tea break.
I was not prepared for that task, they took me by surprise. In fact, I was afraid and I ended having a sleepless night, because that would be the first time in my entire life that I would be presenting an academic lecture as a key speaker. Really, I was afraid, mainly because I thought that I was going to be troubled with a lot of questions after my talk.
As for Rabi’at, I led the panel during her paper presentation. She was excellent, with sharp memory and she kept to the time limit for the presentation of her paper.
While I was still excited and overwhelmed with all thoughts and feelings ahead of my presentation, I heard the convener mentioned my name, saying that I should come to the podium. He added: “It is the time to let your voice be heard, you have done a wonderful research.”
As the huge audience put their hands together for me, I headed for the podium. Truly, at that moment, I felt that recognition is much more important than position. I left behind my fear at my chair and wore the dress of bravely while I calmly and gently presented my paper. I was later appreciated as one of the best speakers, with my presentation leading the front page story in one of the Islamabad newspapers, Daily Times.
The convener said that the committee selected the best papers, based on scientific, quality, content, time management and level of interactions with the audience. Surprisingly, when I finished my paper presentation, Professor Joseph Olorunju Omolehin from Federal University, Lokoja, Nigeria and Dr. Kamilu Rauf of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, said to me: “Thank you very much, you have saved us.”
Rabi’ad congratulated me, and happily expressed her joy after meeting the requirement for the award of her doctorate degree. She said: “Really today I am happy. I am now going to be called Dr. Rabi’ad.”
The Pakistanis are indeed good hosts who treat foreigners like kings and queens. And if you secure a visa to visit the country, you only have to put up a brave face before embarking on the journey to Pakistan. You will experience a beautiful country, peopled by good-looking, happy and patriotic citizens.
DAY 1
I was surprised when two young researchers, Khan and Sabir from Pakistan, came forward to take pictures with participants, knowing that the need of the forum was to create a platform where the brightest contemporary minds in computer science and mathematics have an opportunity to freely interact with prominent scientists in their field.
While we were busy taking pictures, one young lady wearing a dress (Niqab) covering her face and entire body, approached us with her camera in her hand and asked a passer-by to help her take pictures with us. After that, she came closer to me and checked my tag, announced my name, and said welcome to our country. Introducing herself, she said, “I am Rabi’ad, a PhD student from Faisalabad. I want us to use this opportunity, if we can, to deepen our discussion during lunch and to get to know your fields of research work.”
During our discussion, Rabi’ad talked about women education in the field of mathematics, convincing me that women could teach mathematics best to children in communities. But she, regrettably, sought to know why people can’t travel to another country because they  hold  Pakistani passports. “We need freedom of movement, especially to go and acquire education which is so difficult among us, girls,  in Pakistan,” she said.
She asked me to turn around to see if I could identify two young guys, saying: “You see that boy with a black cloth, he is my brother, same father and same mum, while the second one is my cousin. We came away from another city. We spent about eight hours to reach Islamabad by road. Initially, my dad refused to allow me to come and accomplish my dream to attend this conference and defend my thesis, due to the security situation, which partially forms the reasons why some of us find it difficult to pursue western education. That was the reason why my dad asked my brother to follow me.”
Although her story was the only one I heard, I knew there were thousands of Pakistani girls who have stories to tell about how their dreams of acquiring western education suffer many challenges, with many of them ending up not getting realised.
After the session closed, we all went for a city sightseeing to Islamabad from the venue of the event.
Islamabad
Islamabad is a beautiful city. It is the capital city and the fastest growing urban settlement in Pakistan after Karachi. As the seat of the government of Pakistan, there are tree-lined streets beautifying the various sectors and zones of the city.
The city sits at the high Margalla Hills in the Himalayan foothills. Its residents often boast of living in one of the world’s “greenest cities. I viewed the whole town from top of the hills, super view with clouds, so beautiful that I did not want to blink my eyes. I miss the beautiful blue skies of Margalla Hills which create an awesome view, nice place to visit with family and friends. I heard that residents visit the hills frequently in summer in order to get relief from the hot weather.
DAY 2
After our session, about 5:30 in the evening, we went for another city sightseeing before our conference dinner.
Lake View Park
The man-made lake view is a spot that symbolises the beauty of nature. A mini-zoo housing different varieties of birds is maintained there for the entertainment of tourists. Boating and horse riding are all available too for both foreigners and Pakistan visitors, with a small amusement park also operated for children within the park.
Faisal Mosque
One of the main attractions in Islamabad is the mosque built by the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi-Arabia, on his visit to Islamabad in 1966. An international competition was held in which architects from 17 countries submitted 43 architectural proposals. The winning design was that of a Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, and the mosque was completed in 1986. Both the mosque and the road leading to it were named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz who died in 1975.
The Faisal Mosque covers an area of 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq ft). It can accommodate 10,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall, 24,000 in its porticoes, 40,000 in its courtyard and another 200,000 in its adjoining grounds. We offered the Maghrib prayer there in a congregation. Many professional photographers love to capture the beautiful mosque in their camera.
We headed to our dinner venue, were I heard more stories about the faces of courage from both sides of men and women in Pakistan. Majority of the brilliant students there are women, even the men acknowledge that. I found out from the teachers and students that Pakistani girls are more brilliant than the men at any point. Perhaps, when the spate of bombing and shooting during class subsides, Pakistan might produce the best female students around the world one day.
Generally, the people live with the fear of getting attacked by terrorists who feel that providing western education for girls is a sin. The case of Malala who was a victim of the terrorist attacks, is always fresh in the minds of the Pakistanis.
Another PhD student, who shares same name with the Alqaeda leader, Osama, said that he wanted to further his study abroad before, lamenting, however, that he cannot go anywhere from Pakistan. When I asked why he couldn’t travel abroad, he said that he can be a victim of abuse outside his country, mainly because of his name. Generally, many Pakistani citizens tend to prefer staying in their country for security reason.
As we came back to our lodge, ready to sleep, I heard someone knocking on my door. I opened the door and the person gave me a piece of a paper with a new schedule of the programme. He said that the following day’s session would open with me serving as a key speaker, for 40 minutes, instead of 20 minutes and, after that, I should chair the session after tea break.
I was not prepared for that task, they took me by surprise. In fact, I was afraid and I ended having a sleepless night, because that would be the first time in my entire life that I would be presenting an academic lecture as a key speaker. Really, I was afraid, mainly because I thought that I was going to be troubled with a lot of questions after my talk.
As for Rabi’at, I led the panel during her paper presentation. She was excellent, with sharp memory and she kept to the time limit for the presentation of her paper.
While I was still excited and overwhelmed with all thoughts and feelings ahead of my presentation, I heard the convener mentioned my name, saying that I should come to the podium. He added: “It is the time to let your voice be heard, you have done a wonderful research.”
As the huge audience put their hands together for me, I headed for the podium. Truly, at that moment, I felt that recognition is much more important than position. I left behind my fear at my chair and wore the dress of bravely while I calmly and gently presented my paper. I was later appreciated as one of the best speakers, with my presentation leading the front page story in one of the Islamabad newspapers, Daily Times.
The convener said that the committee selected the best papers, based on scientific, quality, content, time management and level of interactions with the audience. Surprisingly, when I finished my paper presentation, Professor Joseph Olorunju Omolehin from Federal University, Lokoja, Nigeria and Dr. Kamilu Rauf of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, said to me: “Thank you very much, you have saved us.”
Rabi’ad congratulated me, and happily expressed her joy after meeting the requirement for the award of her doctorate degree. She said: “Really today I am happy. I am now going to be called Dr. Rabi’ad.”
The Pakistanis are indeed good hosts who treat foreigners like kings and queens. And if you secure a visa to visit the country, you only have to put up a brave face before embarking on the journey to Pakistan. You will experience a beautiful country, peopled by good-looking, happy and patriotic citizens.