Scene 2: Welcome at Chaklala Air Base
When we reached there (in 5 mins or so) we were made to wait for security related checks and some Major sahib had to call and get us in. While waiting for the security proceedings to end, I saw US marines moving around in their "Martian" vehicles as if it was Guantanamo bay rather than PAF's Chaklala air base. When we finally got in the base I got to see many foreigners moving around and sitting in their make shift tents. We went directly into a bunker where Col. Jamil and his team were working for data gathering and presentation making stuff and all. There in the briefing room were sitting 4-6 volunteers from COMSATs and NETSOL and working on spread sheets making some report for Col. sahib. I was introduced to them and we all sat together and came up with a conceptual diagram for relief operations being carried out at PAF Base Chaklala, interestingly which was something close to what Mr Abid and Mr Rizwan had discussed a night before. By the time we were done with this diagram, I felt like I had to go to washroom. When I asked about washroom, that peon said "sahib paani khatam hai aur darwaza band hai"... after waiting for a few more minutes I told Mr. Abid that I'd like to go to washroom and he in turn he asked some Major sahib. That Major sahib got the door opened and water was flowing from taps as if they were Niagara falls. I got through the regular process and GOD I felt swift ;). Then we moved to warehouse and on our way to warehouse, I saw number of massive air crafts, Russian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, etc. In warehouse I got to meet Mr. Arshad for the first time and there were also Imran and Shireen with him. Mr. Arshad proudly (read very proudly) introduced Imran as The Standford graduate. By this time I was starting to feel hint of politics and mess that was around this all. Every body was trying to get the hold of things and not really "only" concerned about getting the job done. I felt so because there was redundancy, every body doing every thing. But soon I got used to it and realized that’s how things operate in this part of the world. That when I limited my self to the role I had to play and committed my self for value addition and contributing some thing that I can always be proud of. I was never looking for accolades and medals but deep inside I wanted to do some thing good for my country men for my country.
When we reached there (in 5 mins or so) we were made to wait for security related checks and some Major sahib had to call and get us in. While waiting for the security proceedings to end, I saw US marines moving around in their "Martian" vehicles as if it was Guantanamo bay rather than PAF's Chaklala air base. When we finally got in the base I got to see many foreigners moving around and sitting in their make shift tents. We went directly into a bunker where Col. Jamil and his team were working for data gathering and presentation making stuff and all. There in the briefing room were sitting 4-6 volunteers from COMSATs and NETSOL and working on spread sheets making some report for Col. sahib. I was introduced to them and we all sat together and came up with a conceptual diagram for relief operations being carried out at PAF Base Chaklala, interestingly which was something close to what Mr Abid and Mr Rizwan had discussed a night before. By the time we were done with this diagram, I felt like I had to go to washroom. When I asked about washroom, that peon said "sahib paani khatam hai aur darwaza band hai"... after waiting for a few more minutes I told Mr. Abid that I'd like to go to washroom and he in turn he asked some Major sahib. That Major sahib got the door opened and water was flowing from taps as if they were Niagara falls. I got through the regular process and GOD I felt swift ;). Then we moved to warehouse and on our way to warehouse, I saw number of massive air crafts, Russian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, etc. In warehouse I got to meet Mr. Arshad for the first time and there were also Imran and Shireen with him. Mr. Arshad proudly (read very proudly) introduced Imran as The Standford graduate. By this time I was starting to feel hint of politics and mess that was around this all. Every body was trying to get the hold of things and not really "only" concerned about getting the job done. I felt so because there was redundancy, every body doing every thing. But soon I got used to it and realized that’s how things operate in this part of the world. That when I limited my self to the role I had to play and committed my self for value addition and contributing some thing that I can always be proud of. I was never looking for accolades and medals but deep inside I wanted to do some thing good for my country men for my country.
posted by Hammad | 1:42 AM
2 Comments:
That's how it works everywhere in the world. Wherever the bureaucracy or politicians are involved, this is what you'll see. It's not commercial business. It's commercial because there is money making involved, but it's not a legitimate business. This reminds me of when someone developed a computer based system for money laundering. lol. You said it, something you can be proud of. Congratulations. Of course, there'll be medals, but the recepients are obvious. Were the US Marines tall? I only saw American soldiers at Wichita Airport a few times, and they were quite intimidating. 6 feet plus and built as a rock. An M-16 hanging behind them across their body. Heck if they'd just put their hand on me, I'd be late Saqib.
LOL @ "Put their hands on me.." yes they were tall , fat and bald :) intimidating ;) yes.. scary no :).
and there was the turkish medical team .....beautiful ? no.. very very beautiful ? yes ;)
cheers!
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