Italian pasta for the Pakistani soul — but only just FAMILIARITY breeds contempt, they say. By now, one has gotten used to blasts of all hues as part of life in Pakistan. Therefore, it came as a pleasant surprise when an Italian couple strode into Islamabad last month to declare that the South Asian nation was a sight for sore eyes and a much misunderstood place. Fabio Stojan and his better half, Anna Castillo, made their way into the federal capital as part of what they called a ‘Half World Visit’ that has taken them to Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China and which, after freewheeling in India, Malaysia and Indonesia will culminate in Australia. Their half-a-year endeavour is aimed at building bridges and promoting people-to-people contact. They felt at home in Pakistan, a land whose beauty and her hospitable people impressed them no end. It sure compelled them to assume an ambassadorial avatar at a reception hosted by Romes envoy in Islamabad where they disclosed a personal effort to dispel the gloomy commentary on Pakistan and convince a doubting global community that the land is safe to travel and worth partaking the splendour. The couple held forth following a journey to the Northern Areas that covered vistas from Basham to Gilgit and Skardu along the Silk Route. They insisted their safe and absorbing experience proved the point. Many in the Western world would probably be inclined to see it all as a challenging exhortation at best in what are decidedly, uncertain times for even Pakistanis, let alone foreigners, who would struggle to recall the last time a travel advisory gave them the all clear. To be sure, UN officials in the capital went into a huddle following the Marriott carnage last month and reportedly, argued over the viability of staying put and only after being given assurances by the Pakistani government did they hang on. A change in status would have spelt disaster for Islamabad given the impact it would have had on the rest of the diplomatic community, for which the UN move could have served as a cue. Much has been written about the suicide attack at the landmark five-star hotel including harrowing accounts that go beyond the toll of the dead and the injured. Understandably, security continues to be an issue at the heart of the turmoil. These wanton acts of terror have not only led to a massive economic downturn but also dealt a severe blow to whatever was left of the tourism industry. As it is, hotel occupancy was already down with one employee putting the figure at a maximum of 20 per cent at the time of the Marriott blast. In its wake, an official of the Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad conceded that the picture was rather bleak with the potential for further damage. There has been a discernible decline in the number of tourists during the first seven months of this calendar year, leading to a substantial decrease in foreign exchange revenue. It doesn’t take genius to configure the consequences of a devastating attack on a powerful global hotel chain in the heart of the country’s capital. The burning down of the famous Malam Jabba Ski Resort last June seems like small change in comparison but will deter potential tourists all the same. In such matters, perceptions, right or wrong, act as determinants. Pakistan and India present an interesting contrast in this case. Take for example, Foreign Tour Programmes (FTP) like those determined by the International Cricket Conference, which are binding on member countries. Australia refused to tour Pakistan last March — they have not done so in a decade — and again, pulled out of the Champions Trophy in August despite assurances by Islamabad of a presidential level of security. Their captain Ricky Ponting pointed to the Marriott blast last week with a barely concealed “I-told-you-so” mien and silly suggestion that his team could have been at the hotel had they been touring Pakistan. Had they been touring there was little chance they would have been hosted at the Marriott, and if for argument’s sake it is agreed, the presidential level of security would have led to the area being declared off limits to the public — by some distance. Ironically, Ponting said this while playing in India as a second major blast rocked New Delhi (where his team is scheduled to play soon) in less than a month with a combined death toll of 20 and hundreds injured. India, itself, is shaken by the terrorist acts. A blithe Australian captain however, said he was fine with the security arrangements in New Delhi, which actually pale into comparison with what Islamabad offered. Double standards there, but also a classic case of perceptions having the last word. The writer is News Editor at Dawn News. He may be reached at kaamyabi@gmail.com
FAMILIARITY breeds contempt, they say.
