ISLAMABAD: A Chinese delegation walked out on a condolence meeting with Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan after she showed up over 90 minutes late.
The group had meant to offer commiserations to the minister over the death of Begum Nusrat Bhutto. When they arrived, they were told that the minister was on her way and were asked to wait. However, an hour-and-a-half later, when neither Awan nor the secretary of information arrived, the group began heading for the exit. Just as they left, Awan pulled up outside. Greeted with the unexpected walkout, the flustered minister was caught by television crews trying to desperately persuade the delegation to stay.
In a mix of English and Punjabi, Awan managed to stutter “Enu ki hoya hai?” translated to “What happened to him?” however to no avail.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2011.
COMMENTS (48)
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Its too late for her to sign-up for anything thing, but yes she can Sign-In a personal secretary who can keep a check on her 24/7 like a shadow. Ms Awan must know: Its not the gift, the dinner, the speech, the make-up, the voice, or the reasons afterward. Instead it's the "timing" of everything that is the most important factor in diplomacy & politics, beside other places. The Queen can get late, but you can not! Getting "there" on-time is very basic yet very critical for any achievement in life. No wonder every city used to have at-least one tower at the square with a big clock.
Maybe Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan can sign up for time management class. Better then leaving friends high and dry!!
Moral of the Story-
Even the Higher than Mountains and Deeper than Oceans have only a finite amount of patience. Let us remember this in all things where we may be testing the patience of others.
@Billoo Bhaya: what is a b...job, Billoo Bhaya ???
Vienna,29-10-2011 The message is Tardy missile is more effective and much better than Theft missile.Make it the first national strategic asset. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
"All-Weather Friend" cannot even wait for 90 minutes ??
Arrogant Chinese. She is a minister. How can they say "No!" and leave!!!
a very famous poet ustad daman was once forced to attend a PPP meeting....
he came up with the following
people's party ballay hi ballay aadhay k@nj@r, aadhay D@ll@y....
i think that aptly summarises this situation.....ET...can you please this go un moderated, it is creative.
She should give the delegation a b... job as apology for her lateness. What if the Chinese are late in coming?? Then she will have to work real overtime!!!!
I only pray our politicians learn a lesson from it and try to be punctual; lets see how senior PPP leadership looks at it.
I think she has an adam's apple!
Chinese would have left for Mars if they spent any time with this creature. They should be thanking her.
Paki-Chinki bhai-bhai. Next time Pakistani minister can go and wait outside gate of China embassy for 90 mins and balance will be ok. Gen Kayani and Lt Gen Pasha should also be sent to Beijing to repair the relations immediately.
Is is PPP gov't unable to find a single well-educated, eloquent, and sophisticated person to fill the post of Information Minister? Or should I say 'Infaarmayshan manistar'?
Fidos awan deserves this reaction. I am Sure no one will apologise, no one will resign. It is shameless qabza group ruling our country
Pakistan, the only colony to be jointly ruled by two not so cordial colonial powers at the same time
Shame Shame shame on You PPP
I would be irked just at the sight of this creature!
Ha ha! Her disregard for everybody & everything finally caught-up with her, didn't it? Bad habits die hard. I bet is is blaming that on Chinese delegate to. So much for the misconception about the higher office_ you should be more responsible now. So now it means tardiness don't end at wedding parties only_ It goes to the top.
May Allah protect Pakistan from senseless, careless, hypocrite, corrupt, uneducated, "fake-degree holders", and incompetent leaders... Ameen.
I think CIA and RAW are behind this. govt should inquiry on this matter urgently.
"The delegation from the Chinese Embassy wanted to meet Awan to condole the death of Begum Nusrat Bhutto."
Looking at the above quote from the article and with no bias towards anyone, I fail to understand why Chinese wanted to condole the death of Begum Nusrat Bhutto to Pakistani information Minister? begum Bhutto held no official position in Pakistan and was at best a private citizen. At best Chinese should have visited the Bhutto family to condole the death.
What I hear from news, Dr Firdous did not know of the meeting. These things do happen and I see no reason why Chinese should make a big deal out of it. I fail to understand as to why Pakistanis are so apologetic about whole thing. Chinese Embassy may not be too far from Dr Firdous's office and they should have verified her presence before leaving for meeting. To be Chinese are trying become big brothers and nothing else.
Firdous Ashiq Awan should be locked up in her room until she learns to recognize the difference between a meeting with foreign dignitaries and her neighbour's valeema.
But the saddest part is that despite the fact she was late, this incident will not bring any change in her or any other ministers habbits. Nothing Zilch. In fact, it may just boost her false pride and ego that she made a delegation go away. President would not ask her, PM would not inquire, all is well. Astughfirullah. Sharminda hon, key pakki hon.
Will the chinese stop providing Aid?
Betcha they are never late for meetings with Americans.
She should have excused that she got late because she was persuading a couple, not to have their 12th child. They would have understood the situation!!
Pakistani leadership needs to mend their ways!
Glad the Chinese left in a huff.
One who cannot do time management, is sure to not be able to manage broader responsibility. This is total mismanagement on her part. Pathetic and shameful act which is un-acceptable at every level in a professional life.
Nature has a way of summing up the grand game into a small instance.This just sums up PPP's rule. Ashamed as Pakistani's
Mega embarrassment caused to Pakistan because of her incompetence! The Chinese embassy will not take this issue lightly and will most probably have a word with our foreign office. I hope they demand her resignation !
Great keep it up, please also do it with americans someday i would be more pleased...
Cheen Pak bhai bhai, Firdous bibi bye bye
they would have left immediately even if she was on time..
OMG!! Typical Pakistani Habit
these politicians wud never mend their ways , check out the audacity of the closing remarks by the minister . making the delegation wait so long, would have given a strong testament to them to the Chinese on how much we value the relationship :(