Amir and I condoled together

In my beloved Pakistan it will not only be disbelieved but maybe I am cursed, at least if not stoned, saying that today Saturday 25^th January, 2014 at 1645 hours I went to Al Jaraallah Diwan, Ibne Abbas Road, Block 3, Abdullah Salem to condole the death of Sulaiman Jarallah Al Hassan Al Jarallah where I found none but H. H. Sheiklh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait sitting amongst mourners.

Unbelievably all the roads were open to traffic as usual as and hardly there was any clue that the top most VVIP of the country is already there in the room where I was heading to. I have no hesitation and or reluctance to pronounce aloud that neither the locality nor the condolence house was checked by police, sniffing dogs, bomb disposal units, rescue services and intelligence agencies etc before the arrival of Amir. Not a single soul from police, elite force, army and or commandos could be seen around rather the area gave usual look like any other day. None could even find any tv coverage vehicle and or fleet of press photographers to record the presence of Amir in the condolence house.

I had noted the address from newspapers which publish suck like information of each and every death on daily basis so it was very easy for me to drive towards the condolence house where I was going for the 1^st time since I came to Kuwait in 1978. However, as I reached Block 3 I could read road signs placed on each and every approach road leading towards the condolence and this is too is done alike on each and every death so how could I realize whom I am to see at the diwan. Of course, there were so many cars flanked on both sides of the road giving me clear signal that my destination is just a few yards away in any case so I thought it prudent to park behind the last car though at some distance but if I try to go nearer to diwan I am definitely going to lose this first available nearness so I just parked my car behind the last one and started walking towards the condolence house. A few people were walking in front of me heading towards the same place for the same purpose whereas a few were returning from there after offering their condolences as well.

I could now very easily spot out the Diwan which was crowded by mourners in any case which is something quite but natural except and is noticed alike as and when one attends any such like condolence occasion. However, I did spot 2 police cars and 1 intelligence car near the entrance of the Diwan but still I was completely clueless and unaware of presence of Amir since many times I have seen even two police cars at condolence houses so to control traffic so hardly anyone could imagine and believe that Amir was very much in presence. Amir of Kuwait has its own security fleet called Amiri Guard which travels in red cars and ever since there was not even one such read car so it could never ever strike to anyone including me that Amir could be there without any coverage and protection from Amiri Guard.

I queued up alike anyone else and offered and shook hand with all those who were standing for and on behalf of the deceased and then I took a seat amongst other mourners. I was more happy than surprised to see Head of State of Kuwait sitting before me at 45 degree angle as an ordinary citizen without any security paraphernalia and hawked eye intelligence guys and I say on my honor that anybody including me who if does not recognize Amir it was next to impossible for him to spot Amir in the condolence room where some ministers and ambassadors were also sitting for while. I sat in the room for a few moments since I had to visit some sick in cancer hospital as well but nevertheless during the said short time I saw people came in pouring offering their prayers and leave after a few moments except a few who stay because they have family roots etc.

At one stage H.H. Sheikh Sabah, Amir stood up from the sofa set (same sofa which everyone sat on) and waved to all those who were present while leaving the condolence room. Everyone stood in respect and I thought also to avail the opportune to leave so I followed the Amir who sat in a car parked at the entrance and then only I realized that it was the car for Amir but let me quip that I have seen a car parked at the entrance even for an old man or a disabled person so one should not infer that each time if one sees a car parked at the entrance it could be for Amir and any VVIP. H. H car was followed to one intelligence and two police cars and I have seen myself that traffic was still as normal as before while Amir was very much on the road.

Incidentally let me quote a very common but most glaring example as to how our rulers even former treat us which has been very pathetically reported by Dawn-the most leading Pakistan English which caught my eyes when it headed on Friday 24^th saying. ‘Musharraf’s presence inconveniences patients at AFIC’ (Armed Forces Institute for Cardiology) stating that Qaisar Naqvi, a Pakistani citizen aged 45 breathed his last without being seen by his wife and children and other relatives who were very much at hand at AFIC but ever since former President of Pakistan Gen ® Pervez Musharraf is admitted there, security staff did not allow the unluckiest family to see Qaisar in CCU (Cardiac Care Unit). Most probably had Musharraf been admitted at AFIC as the President, then I am pretty sure, or you prove me wrong, Qaisar may even have been denied admission into AFIC due to security concerns.

Foreign Secretary Khalid Suleman Al Jarallah’s father Sulaiman aged 90 died on Friday and therefore people including Amir and me have gone to Diwan Al Jarrallah to offer their condolences which is normally for three days time separately for men and women during morning and afternoon sessions.  It reminds me of another instances which is also my personal experience when years back my 1^st Kuwaiti friend who retired as Brigadier Police, I saw H.H. Sheikh Nasir Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Prime Minister coming in person to condole the death.  Let me pose a few questions, if not annoying, what lessons can Pakistani rulers learn from Kuwait? Should the rulers attend condolences without resorting to the official protocol they are entitled to? Should wife and children be stopped to see the dying husband/father like it happened with Qaisar Naqvi?

Please keep your at least one hand if not both on your heart and then at least enlighten me if not others whom to copy-Kuwaiti leaders or Pakistani leaders?