My Diaries- November 14, 2012

Day One in Karachi-

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost- J.R.R. Tolkien

Finally landed on Karachi Airport. The office driver was waiting in the reception with a banner in his hand- “Fareed”.  I said it’s me. While collecting my luggage, talked to my mother. She asked if I liked Karachi or not upon my arrival. I said too early to say but it looks a lovely city. Mum instructs- “Ah-beware my son! There are bad people out there too”. I said I will be fine. Instruction from baba follows,”  avoid talking about religion and politics if you can”. I said I will try. I know it is hard, though. He continues- “ if you don’t like living in Karachi, just come back. Remember, your safety is more important than your passion”.

On my way to the Guest House, the driver asks, “why did you come to Karachi, sir? Didn't you get a job in Peshawar”? I said coming to Karachi was my passion. And that I had a job in Islamabad too. I felt we PEOPLE are somehow so similar in one way or the other. I mean we ask personal questions without knowing the person first.

As I was thinking about all this, he comes up with the next one.  “Are you married, sir?”.  I said no. He goes – “ I am single too. The girl I love is married now. I wanted to marry her but it couldn't happen. She is my girlfriend now”. I ask – “and”? “Don’t get me wrong sir. My love is pure. I don’t do bad things with her. I just look at her. It makes my day. If I don’t see her, I get headache. The good thing is that she is my relative. I can see her often”. 

The driver took me to the guest house where I will be staying in for a week. At the reception, I was assured of quality service during my stay at the guest house.

At the office, the news from Nauman is that the arrangement has been made for our stay in the Regent Plaza Hotel, instead. He reported to the office management this morning that he had a sleepless night due to bed bugs in the Royal guest house.

Ali phoned to say that he will collect me from my office around 5:30 pm. He came to the office at 5:20 pm. Last time I saw him, it was 2008. I remember it was Nov 2005 when Lydia first introduced Ali to me in one of our discussions at the Enfield Campus. I had not met him at that point. They both worked in the same organisation working with vulnerable youth. Ali still continues to work with young offenders in London. He started his career as a mentor in London. People who don’t know him would interpret his behaviour as rude and too direct. One should know him first to like him.

We went to the Port Grand Food and Entertainment Complex built over one Kilometre Bridge called Napier Mole Bridge. While I enjoyed the visit- Ali wasn't particularly happy with the food. He can’t be happy with everything- be that his views on politics, religion or work. He tells- “ a safety assessment of your office room needs to be properly done in light of a potential attack”. I said- that’s why we need you here, Ali.

In my hotel room, the newspaper and Daniyal Mueenuddin’s book –“In other rooms, other wonders” awaits me. But I should rather go to the bed for a restful night. In Karachi the traffic noise and the politics makes it hard though!

Farid Gul, Karachi, November 16, 2012