The fortification for blocking illegal entry or terrorist incursions was not as elaborate or thick as at the Runnymede, Clifton, which houses the British Deputy High Commission close by. But then this was the Swiss Consulate-General, which is home of the International Red Cross and of numerous peace initiatives.
The steel bars blocking entry to the Consulate-General were, however, thick enough to block a wayward truck or speeding lesser vehicles. Even otherwise, less rigidity was demanded there as the occasion was the farewell reception of the popular Swiss Consul-General Roland Fischer, who was returning home after over three years in the city, and his lovely wife Iris. And he had a large number of guests to take leave of. And, unlike the Britain of Tony Blair with its total support for President George Bush’s plans for a war on Iraq, Switzerland is known as a peace-loving country, with no political enemies or rivals.
Fischer is different in many ways from other Western diplomats. Though representing a country which in the past stuck to dark suits and formal wear, he has a passion for informal wear and initiated National Day celebrations in casual wear.
He preferred half sleeves shirts at functions, unless the invitation card mandated lounge suits. He is well-read and is through in the subjects he deals with. He has a great sense of humour, too, to spice his comments and matters. Most of the consuls-general were at the party talking of the general elections and what could follow after that. But there were not many politicians there, save Sardar Sherbaz Mazari, who has become apolitical.
The US Consul-General John Bauman was there with his daughter from Washington, who works for the National Geographic magazine. She was here to spend ten days with her father, who had to send home his wife for security reasons.
The Arab consuls-general, led by Usama Al Jamali of Oman, who is the doyeon of the consular corps, were amused by the excited talk of the elections. Among the others were Kuwait’s Abdul Karim Abogaith and UAE’s Amir Al Falasi, who has shifted his office to the new CAE complex on Khayban-i-Shamsheer. It is a very large complex with many facilities to work and relax.
Zia Ispahani, former ambassador to Switzerland, was there following his return from Switzerland and London. He had won a first-class return ticket to Zurich in a Swissair raffle and was delighted to fly high in luxury.
The Polish and Czech consuls-general were there, following their return from a holiday. The Czech is scheduled to close his mission here, following the decision of Pakistan government to close down our embassy in Prague.
Ameena Saiyed of the Oxford University Press was there, back from a visit to Indonesia to inspect a paper mill. She needs a steady supply of over 1,000 tons of paper a year for publishing her books. Indonesia can supply that.
Dr Mukhtar, the eye-specialist, was there after a holiday in a farm near Islamabad. He has a Swiss wife. Jurgen Koemg, of Merck Marker Pharma, was there too. The company, with a sale of Rs1.7 billion last year is about to complete 40 years in Pakistan. It is the only Pakistan based company with large sales of pharmaceuticals in Afghanistan, as I am told.
Maj. Akbar, who has become a Swiss citizen, was there with his Swiss wife, Irene. He is going strong at 86. Artist Gulgee was there with his son, Amin. He said Zarro, his wife, had a knee operation and her recovery has been very smooth.
Artist Shehla Rahman was also seen there. She had an exhibition of her work at Carlton Hotel recently, which was attended by most of the consuls-general. Her works campaign against war, and for women rights and justice.
Owais Ahmad, of Pierre Cardin, was there with his wife Irum. She had planned to contest elections and had taken out newspaper advertisements in support of Gen. Musharraf, but, after seeing the stampede of women for contesting the elections, she had chosen to withdraw.
Organization man
Saeed Ahmad, of Anchor Shipping and Trading, has diverse interests and has friends in many walks of life. So has his wife Naseem, whose interests swing between computers and astrology. So when they decide to give a party, it tends to have quite a crowd.
Saeed, who towers above his guests because of his height, is the president of the Pakistan-Italy Business Council.
He has an abiding interests in Special Olympics and goes abroad with special athlete who win many laurels there. He was earlier President of the Pakistan Special Olympics.
He is an active Rotarian as a member of the Metropolitan Rotary Club of Pakistan, having been its president earlier. Normally, Saeed prefers stylish small dinners but this time he decided to go big and invited a large number of their friends.
Many guests were eager to meet the U.S Consul-General who has been discreet in his movements. They were surprised to see his daughter with him. “She has come against my best advice,” he said. Italian Consul-General Fabrizio Nicoletti was there after returning from a holiday. He is not sure there is that such a kind of enmity for Italy in Pakistan that it needs excess precautions. And, yet, he has to be careful. Byram Avari was there with his wife Goshpi.
He has no interest in contesting the elections, while his rival Minoo Bhandara is contesting for a minority seat. Byram is more focused on his business and during weekends on yachting and boating with his sons.
The corporate community was in notable strength there and included Humayun Bashir, of IBM, and Asif Ikram, of Du Pont. Ijaz Khan, former chairman of Wyeth Laboratories, was there on return from the US.
His wife Khanum Gohar Aijaz, too, came back with him as her brother had died. Nasir Hyder, of the International Advertisers, was there following his return from London where his son Asad had married the daughter of Rana Talwar, who retired recently as President of the Standard Chartered Bank.
Insurance chiefs were also present there. Masud Noorani, of New Jubilee Insurance, and Mujib Khan, of New Hampshire Insurance, were notable among them. United Bank Chief Amir Zafar Khan was among the bankers there. Zia Khalilee who heads Oxbridge Association was there talking of the problems of the organization and its scholarships. Iskay Ispahani, former president of the Pakistan Tea Association was with his wife Shoba on return from a long holiday.
With so many corporate heads around Khalid Rafi of the Fergusons had to be there, although this time without the ultra-long cigar.
Habib Fida Ali
Habib Fida Ali is known as master of concrete architecture, but when it comes to his own house he prefers the old stone and plaster structure with high trees all around. And inside the exceedingly photographed house, he has ancient pottery, sculptures and paintings that complete its antique setting. The bachelor architect recently collected members of his family from many parts of Eastern Africa and held a dinner in honour of his cousin Abbas.
Syed Babar Ali, former finance minister of Pakistan and a leading industrialist was there before leaving for New Delhi to address a meeting of Indian businessmen on Pakistan-India trade. He is all for such trade and says the Indian businessmen are also in favour for that. “We should trade in those items which are really profitable to us. That is what all trade is all about,” he says.
Honorary Consul-General of Spain, M.I. Akbar, was there with the ambassador of Spain from Islamabad. He met Kamran Mirza of Abbot Laboratories who is President of the Overseas Investors Chamber. He invited the ambassador to visit the Chamber. Spain has little investment in Pakistan, which was noted by both sides.
Shaukat Tareen of Union Bank was there. He is now busy completing the merger of Emirates Bank with Union Bank. Earlier, it was the Bank of America which merged with Union Bank, which is still expanding.
Laila Sarfraz, mother of Abbas Sarfraz, till now minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Regions, was there, answering questions on the election prospects of her son. She said as far she was concerned she would like to have him in Karachi instead of distant Mardan.
Chief of ICI, Azhar Malik, was there saying that his company was doing very well. His predecessor Nasim Mirza was also there. Kamal Azfar, who will be contesting the Senate elections, was there with his wife Naheed. Kamal will be contesting the Senate elections for which a number of PPP leaders are waiting. It is a pretty crowded electoral arena there.
The British Deputy High Commissioner David Pearey was there talking to Aziz Meon who had returned from Switzerland after attending a WTO-UNCTAD meeting.
Aqueel Bilgrami was the other architect at the dinner. He has a subdued architectural style.
Correction: Unlike reported earlier, Consul-General Abdul Karim Abogaith of Kuwait is not leaving on transfer now.
The fortification for blocking illegal entry or terrorist incursions was not as elaborate or thick as at the Runnymede, Clifton, which houses the British Deputy High Commission close by. But then this was the Swiss Consulate-General, which is home of the International Red Cross and of numerous peace initiatives.
