The Australian journalist uploaded a video clip from Melbourne. He was covering Pakistan Super League matches and touring cities. According to the journalist, when he was at Allama Iqbal Airport to board a plane for his journey back home, an official in civvies at the airport helped him jump the long immigration line and later asked for money. The journalist, Freedman, termed the interaction ‘the gora (white) card’ playing the trick, a privilege sometimes enjoyed by foreigners in Pakistan and other Asian countries. The Australian says all his immigration formalities were quickly completed and later the official asked for money for facilitating the procedure. He sought US dollars. But he was left with only 350 Pakistani rupees which he gave to the official upon his insistence.
The journalist also said in the video that he did want the man sacked or to get in trouble. He only wanted some education for the guy so that it could act as a deterrent. It is generally observed that even European-looking Pakistanis are supposed to be quite well-off; and it is because of this perception that such persons are also targeted by muggers besides being offered unasked-for help. We expect the Prime Minister to also swiftly act against hoarders and profiteers in order to provide relief to the common people.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2020.
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