( Tazeen Akhtar is writing on international relations for last two decades in Islamabad , as editor of newspapers in the capital of Pakistan he carries many eye witness accounts and observations from on the spot. This write up is meant to sensitize the diplomatic community and it is hoped that the little will be taken as enough to have a better understanding on DOs and DONTs )
The embassy of Russian Federation in Islamabad hosted a big reception at a local hotel on 10 June 2026 that started with joy but ended with the disturbing matter of missing of a bag that later was recovered from a person pointing him out with the help of cc footage.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari was the chief guest at this reception making it the most high profile and the most secured event. The person was there to cover the participation of the President. Why he picked something that was not his? What was his intention? No one knows because nothing has been shared officially.
It is a matter of extreme concern for all and should be investigated thoroughly.
Islamabad is the venue of many high level events with foreign community in attendance. Therefore, many local people find it easy to interact with the diplomats and ambassadors at these events. That is why they reach in these events even if they are not know to the hosts or not invited.
Qudrat Ullah Shahaab late , is a bureaucrat of the early years of Pakistan. His book “Shahaab Naama” is a treasure of knowledge and information. He writes at one place , ” Every capital of the world has many people who frequently attend the diplomatic national days despite not having anything to do on the bilateral affairs.”
There is a large crowd of such people including ladies who put on their best suits and somehow get entry into the reception without invitation through back doors or in connivance with the personnel posted there. It happens most often and no one can deny this reality. The event of Russian Embassy was different as the President was the chief guest but the phenomenon mentioned above is a routine in most of the diplomatic events.
I can narrate here my own experience that was at Malaysian National Day last year. Two ladies were wandering outside the reception hall looking for some companion or sympathizer who could open the door for them into the reception. They asked me to help and passed critical remarks on me when I said ” Sorry ” to their disappointment.
Next moment was astonishing for me. The staff of the high commission who was clearly listening to the conversation of the ladies and mine, allowed them into the reception. Earlier, the staff of the high commission had stopped many known cameramen of the media that were working regularly with the high commission.
The untoward incidents happen mostly when un invited persons get access to such events where there are diplomats of different countries at one place with their families and belongings. They do not take much care only because they know that well placed and well reputed people are present there and a check is there around the venue with multiple layers.
I was present at the Russian Day reception and therefore I know it was highly secured event. Here the bag was lifted by a person who was invited. Allah knows what was his actual intention. If the bag was found without any owner , he should have hand it over to the embassy person or hotel staff but he took it with him.
The hotel cameras were checked in detail and finally the person was identified leaving the reception with that bag.
What action has been taken against the person?
1- From one side : The presidency has taken action against him. He has been terminated from the service while an inquiry has been initiated against him at his actual department that belongs to ministry of information.
2- From other side : He was arrested and sent to prison (When the concerned Police Station Secretariat was checked for further details, the staff of the PS expressed total ignorance about the person or any such incident reported)
Finally, it is suggested for all concerned sides to share the information in this regard to the media to avoid the speculations. Now the matter is the talking stock in the diplomatic beat reporters of Islamabad. Everyone is asking the other for details and followups. Everyone knows untoward incidents happen in the diplomatic events sometimes. Everyone knows uninvited persons are present in most of the events. Therefore , it is suggested to the embassies to see this side as well.
