"How many Pakistanis are there in Tokyo?"
"I don't know - wouldn't think there are too many what with stringent Japanese immigration laws and for a change I can say with certainty they are not Pakistan specific."
"Yeah and Japan is probably not an attractive place to relocate for Pakistanis because I would be surprised if more than a 100 Pakistanis speak the language."
"That is no criteria. How many of us speak English? And look at how many are in English speaking countries."
"Yes but we don't hesitate to speak in that language even if we don't know the language, you know what I mean."
"Yes I do. As a former colonised people we have gained that right at least."
"Indeed I agree. But anyway I would agree that there are very few Pakistanis in Japan. But why do you ask?"
"Well, the APP..."
"Associated Press of Pakistan, the state funded news agency?"
"Yes, anyway they said that the Chosen One addressed a large gathering of Pakistanis in Tokyo."
"Well, you know the Chosen One always takes a full plane load of people so I guess around 200 of the large gathering can be accounted for."
"Right but a large gathering is more than that surely?"
"It's all relative. I mean a large gathering for a political Jalsa organised by the Jiyalas or Nawalas would be more than 50,000 people but for a gathering in a foreign country 100 to 200 would be considered large."
"So you think there is no accuracy to my concern about the numbers."
"No, because no numbers were cited. Your concept of a large gathering may not be mine. I would consider 20 people in my home as a large gathering if you know what I mean."
"So we let it stand."
"Yes unless of course there is an independent source that puts a definite number on the gathering!"
"No one I know would come up with that kind of a statement. Hey, if they do the Chosen One may not take them on the next trip."
"Sad that."
"That's a fact of life."
"Anyway, the Chosen One told the large gathering to present a good image of Pakistan."
"Why has he given up on himself?"
"I guess. Anyway I am disinclined to listen to him. I mean considering that my government's spending my tax rupees on fighting the US war on the Taleban and the al Qaeda and I still have trouble getting visas puts me in no frame of mind to do what he is asking."
"Now, now, calm down."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005

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