Chinese delegation irked by Firdous Ashiq Awan's tardiness

Information minister keeps foreign delegation waiting for over 90 minutes.

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 28^th, 2011.