Pakistan: Home of the world’s oldest club

Despite the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Pakistan for many years now, it is surprising to know that there are a number of issues that have not been signed into agreements like those of trade and  air service agreement making it impossible to start a direct flight to Pakistan from Nigeria. The journey of ten […]

Despite the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Pakistan for many years now, it is surprising to know that there are a number of issues that have not been signed into agreements like those of trade and  air service agreement making it impossible to start a direct flight to Pakistan from Nigeria.

The journey of ten to 11 hours end up taking over 20 hours as result of lack of BASA, because travelers have to stopover in Dubai for over nine hours before they can reach the country.

Landing in Pakistan as an African especially from Nigeria or South Africa without the yellow fever card is a terrible situation to experience, because such a person would be prevented from entering the country from the airport. This is done not only to foreigners but also to their citizens who are returning to Pakistan after a trip to any part of the world.

Such treatment was meted on the Pakistan High Commissioner to Nigeria’s son who was kept in isolation because of his failure to present the yellow fever card, which is a guarantee that satisfies that the person has been tested and free from yellow fever. Despite the delay by the health authority at Karachi airport, I was amazed with their show of concern and respect for those in such condition as they kept apologising for the delay and the assurance to ensure their safety in the country.

“You are our guests and we will ensure your safety and make your stay memorable here but please be patient with us as we sort out your issue,” said some of the health authority of Pakistan at the airport.

Pakistan is a country of 183 million population with over 20 million people in Karachi which is  the largest city in the country. Apart from the Federal Government, the country has five provinces which are Sindh, Balunchistan, Punjab, Khaibar Pathtunkawa and Gilgit Baltistan  107 districts, 280 sub-districts, and over 2400 local council government for easy access to the grassroot.

Unlike Nigeria, Pakistan’s federal government is tasked with minimum responsibilities because majority of the country’s affairs rested on the provincial government shoulders such as education, health and police, among others. Pakistan does not have federal police like Nigeria, but province with different uniforms for various provinces.

Pakistanis serve as powerful checks and balances on their government officials as they are quick to reacting to any unfavourable situation that will affect their lives especially when such treatment has to do with government responsibility to the citizens. There are always peaceful demonstrations whenever they encounter problems with amenities and will stand on their point until such problem is addressed.

The country’s power generation is put at 20,000 mega watts, yet still experiences power outage but not as severe as Nigeria.

Vehicles are produced locally in the country and they drive only right wheel steering vehicles as no one is permitted to drive any car apart from that one while there are thousands of commercial vehicles with almost hundreds of them plying one route.  Commercial vehicles are decorated with ray of colours because the more colourful a vehicle is the more it attracts passenger.

Almajiri syndrome is one of the peculiarities Pakistan have in common with Nigeria but with different approach to curbing it. There are schools for them where they learn  Arabic and Islamic educatio with government backing mandating high institutions of learning to admit them for their degrees, masters and PhD programmes and are employed in schools and higher institutions to teach Arabic or Islamic studies as the case may be.

The country is export-based economy dealing mostly in pharmaceuticals, surgical materials, cotton, garments, agricultural products as the third largest producer of cotton in the world, second largest exporter of rice and the seventh exporter of textile. Pakistan has the best irrigation system in the world.

Pakistan is also an Islamic country with 97 per cent of the whole population being Muslims, while the remaining three per cent are Christians and Hindus. Though it is an Islamic country but with a different because it is difficult to differentiate a Muslim  from non-Muslim especially through dressing. No dressing is peculiar to one group or the other as they all wear what is suitable for them.

Pakistani men are described as a motorcycle with only one head lamp meaning majority of their men marry only one wife with few of them marrying embracing polygamy. There are lots of family picnics as majority of them eat outside in the restaurants and club houses. Women in Pakistan are more domineering and are given listening ears.

The country also has one of the oldest clubs in the world built in 1886 with only registered members having access to the club and a palm resort of 250 acres, which has 176 block of three bedroom flats farm houses located in Karachi, the largest city and business centre of Pakistan. There are also lots of mass housing in the country to cater for the teaming population.

There is no any country without her own challenges. Pakistan is saddled with political crisis, but not as it is portrayed in the international media.

Pakistanis also perceived Nigerians as giant people and scared of Nigerians and the country because of what they read and see on the media about Nigeria. Pakistanis are indeed friendly, accommodating, apologetic, willing and ready to assist.