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Quality is the difference
Much excitement is in store for Karachiites early next year, as the city has been declared the host for Expo Pakistan 2005 by the Export Promotion Bureau. The launch organized recently introduced the event and gave an inkling of what to expect in terms of entertainment for the visiting delegates.
Having said that, it is hoped that the poor sense of punctuality displayed at the launch is not in any way reflective of how the organizers are going to conduct themselves before the visiting foreign delegates. Scheduled for 7.45pm, the programme began at 10pm, when the honorary guest and chief guest (Sindh CM Arbab Rahim and federal commerce minister Humayun Akhter Khan, respectively) turned up. To make matters worse, those who made reference to it on stage made light of the issue by making wise cracks about delays being a “norm” in Pakistan!
After the formal proceedings of the evening were over (speeches followed by more speeches) the entertainment segment encapsulating local culture, fashion and music commenced. Beginning with the theme song for the expo, We have the quality, we make the difference, composed and sung by Fuzon, and which served to wake everyone up, a short fashion extravaganza comprising two segments took place.
In the first part, male and female models pirouetted about on stage sporting ensembles designed by Aijazz Aslam and Ayesha Varsey. Although far from depicting a fair picture of what local fashion has to offer since the outfits didn’t boast much variety — the females strutted about for the large part in ghagras in striking colour combinations, while the males were in elegant sherwanis worn with pagris — the segment was both colourful and enjoyable.
The next sequence showcased leather ensembles and accessories. Male and female models in smart leather jackets and pants dyed in unusual hues sashayed on the stage, carrying leather briefcases and purses to further highlight Pakistan’s premium export products. To culminate the segment, Fuzon made another appearance, performing while the models (attired in traditional clothes and leather ensembles) weaved their way between them and took positions on the two stands placed on the stage.
The show ended with a surprising flourish, the ‘E’ of ‘Expo’ on the backdrop unfolding itself so that it stood out as a separate insignia of the event, and followed by magnificent fireworks.
A few words of caution to the organizers of Expo 2005. If they cannot adhere to schedules because the chief guests do not observe punctuality, they should seriously reconsider their options. We surely don’t want to appear unprofessional before a global market audience.
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