Tazeen Akhtar
One can be ambitious and expressive but how one can endanger the lives of others for one’s own motives. When the others are foreigners one should be more sensitive and when the foreigners are the ambassadors , one is supposed to be as sensible and careful as is possible. We have seen the Nulter tragedy almost a decade ago in May 2015. Ambassadors of Norway, Philippines, Indonesia, Spouses of ambassadors of Indonesia and Malaysia died in the military helicopter crash.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce , in past few years, is looking extra active in engaging the ambassadors in its programs. A few weeks ago, ICCI took more than a dozen ambassadors to Skardu and Deo Sai plane. Thank God everything went safe and sound there.
Caption : Ambassador Burhan of Indonesia who and his spouse died in military helicopter crash in Nulter in 2015 – in picture with Editor Tazeen Akhtar in a diplomatic reception few weeks before the accident
Security principles do not let more high profile people travel together. A simple thing proved to be right again and again. See it in blast of General Zia ul Haqq’s plane or in Nulter crash.
Everyone in Pakistan, intends to do some other work than one’s own work. Promotion of tourism is not the responsibility of Chamber of Commerce. Better they enhance business with all those ambassadors whom they take here and there in the name of tourism conference , whatsoever.
Swat , Skardu etc are beautiful tourist sites but it does not mean you make the tours every month with dozen of ambassadors, risking their life and name of the country. These are terrorists hit areas. KP is the worst while Gilgit Baltistan has been dangerous in the past.
Nanga Parbat Tragedy; Who let the killers out?
On June 23, 2013, about 15 extremist militants wearing Gilgit Scouts uniforms shot and killed ten foreign climbers (one Lithuanian, three Ukrainians, two Slovaks, two Chinese, one Chinese-American, and one Nepali) and one Pakistani guide at Base Camp of Nanga Parbat.
( Editor Tazeen Akhtar’s article on Nanga Parbat terrorist attack – the then Interior Minister Ch Nisar in press talk – Ambassadors of China and Ukraine are present)
Pakistan is still facing the aftermath of Dasu attack on Chinese engineers in the same territories of KP. Here immature people of our Chambers of Commerce , either they are from ICCI or from Swat CCI are promoting their own agendas ignoring all precautions regarding the safety of diplomatic community.
The performance of these CCIs can be better noted in the financial condition of the country. Many of them shifted their businesses to other countries. Many have no businesses but shops only. Many are traders only and occupying the posts in CCIs. What is their contribution in the infrastructure of GB or Swat ? The natural beauty of these sites is God given. It is not contributed by the CCIs.
Ambassadors are also supposed to take care while traveling to the territories that are already known terrorist hit areas, or there is no proper infrastructure and security provided to them. One police escort for a dozen of ambassadors, and that in a dangerous area is foolish and irresponsible thing.
Ambassadors can see how much business has been promoted by the CCIs offices holders with their countries. More it is lip service and uttering only or there is happening something meaningful as well?
Pakistan in the World – Aug / Sep 2024
What happened in Swat , was a terrorist attempt anyway. Some say that the target was police escort vehicle but it is for sure an effort to minimize the severity of the incident. The target was the lot of ambassadors only. Ethiopian ambassador’s vehicle is also damaged in the blast whatever it was, remote control explosive device or a mine as the Russian ambassador noted in his tweet.
Government of Pakistan should investigate the matter thoroughly as to, who was the main organizers of the tour? Had he followed all safety measures? Who was the host in Swat? Had he informed the local law enforcing agencies other than police only? What formalities were fulfilled at foreign ministry for permitting the ambassadors to travel to KP in large number?
Ambassadors are safe but it does not mean to let the concerned go easily. Everyone related to the management of this tour should be investigated. For the future, it should be made compulsory that the diplomats do not travel in large number together.
The ICCI needs a proper training session to make them learn lesson by the security officials about mind your own business, that is business only.
V unfortunate Nulter Accident -our newspaper on the day – with my analysis in which i tried to elaborate that ” Security is Security – Either it is from Terrorists or from Accident. Taking a large number of foreign VIPs to a difficult place was not a wise idea, whoever thought and planned it. This analysis was lifted in “Centreline” magazine but with some changes that offended me and the Dean of Diplomatic Corp (then) Mr Rodolfo Martin Saravia – He remained angry with me and with the editor of that magazine. Here it is prayed for the departed souls that may they rest in peace and their families have the courage to bear this irreparable loss – Tazeen Akhtar
Tweet by Russian Embassy Islamabad
On September 22, Ambassador Albert P Khorev, along with several other Ambassadors, took part in the Swat Tourism Summit organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry,” the embassy said.
“On the way to the hotel from the town of Mingora in Khyber Pakhtunkwa, an escort vehicle hit a mine. Several policemen were injured, diplomats were not harmed.”
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Condemns Blast Near Police Van in Malam Jabba Swat.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the blast near a police van in the Malm Jabba, Swat.
Interior Minister paid homage to Police Constable Burhan Khan who embraced martyrdom in the blast. He expressed heartfelt condolences to his family. He also prayed for the swift recovery of injured police personnel.
Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute Burhan Khan’s ultimate sacrifice while performing his duty. He also acknowledged that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has made invaluable sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
“We salute the brave son of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, martyr Burhan Khan,” he said.
