KARACHI, Nov 21: Despite assurances by the organizers of the Ideas-2006 at the Expo Centre that there would be smooth entry for the people of the city as well as for exhibitors and the media, mismanagement was glaring and agonizing even for some of the organizers.

A long queue was witnessed at the entrance of the Expo Centre early in the day, and people waited for the removal of the barricade placed for Gen Pervez Musharraf’s movement.

“It is disgusting that we are not being allowed inside and are being forced to stay out under the sun since long,” said a gentleman who was displaying exhibitor’s card at the main entrance.

He complained that while the organizers had charged them fabulously, they did not provide any shelter for the visitors to wait during VVIP movement.

Many senior delegation members also appeared to be harassed at the same point as they were also subjected to long wait to enter and they waited for their vehicles to emerge from the designated parking lot. It was a difficult going for the visitors because this year parking inside the Expo Centre was not allowed. The promised shuttle service was not regular.

Media was also harassed and hounded by the security people. They were not allowed inside in the morning despite being issued security clearance chit by the concerned people.

Media managers had no information about the events, such as the signing of the MoUs or press conferences because the organizers had made no such arrangements.

The Press Centre was the lowest priority of the organizers who had been issuing sermons of patriotism while asking the press to give extensive coverage.

Unlike previous Ideas, this year media coverage and mediamen were given the least consideration by the organizers.

Those who were managing press conference of the VIPs were selective in informing and allowing the media which generated bickering and heart-burning.

Residents around the Expo Centre were of the view that the event should be shifted out of Karachi, as in Karachi it appeared to be unmanageable, especially when the magnitude had been doubled this year.