Love Pakistan or Leave

UN: Karachi 25 Nov. Security Update
Law and order situation tense in parts of Orangi Town after killing of three political workers yesterday. IDEAS 2008 Exhibition also in progress in Expo Center at Hassan Square which may cause traffic congestion. Shahrah e Faisal (the street where my office is) will remain congested from 16pm to 19pm. All advised to avoid or tread cautiously mentioned areas.

UN: Karachi 28 Nov. Security Update.
Firing reported in parts of Orangi town, Nazimabad and Banaras. 3 persons dead and 23 injured. Snap checks by police in many parts of the city. Maximum caution advised.

UN: Karachi 29 Nov. Security Update
Violence spreading to other parts of city including Banaras, Sohrab Goth, Safoora, Las Bela, Business Record Road, Empress Market, Bara Board. So far, 7 vehicles, 2 shops and 2 houses burnt. Shoot at sight orders issued to police. All advised to remain indoors.

UN: Karachi 1 Dec. Security Update.
13 people lost their lives in firing incidents date. Situation still disturbed in parts of Orangi, Banaras, Pak Colony, Sohrab Goth, Baldia and Malir. Schools throughout city will remain closed tomorrow as a result. All advised to maintain low profile and conduct office routine tomorrow. Missions into and out of city to proceed with caution. All to avoid mentioned troubled areas.

These are just few examples of SMS which I’m used to receive during the days while being in Karachi. It is sad, but I have to admit that such things are happening for real. Though I have never seen from a close distance such incidence, but honestly I’m not even looking forward to do that.
When you are in office doing your daily tasks or having nice dinner with your friends on the roof café (on the roof of our house), you don’t even realize that such things actually are happening. Luckily I’m living in a very peaceful and secure area and all fights are happening only on the side of the city.
I was told that all these fighters are targeting only each other because of some political/religion issues.
As I’m more and more settling down into Karachi’s life, my mind can not accept such fact that something can happen to me. So far I haven’t experienced any threats (except the food direct impact on my stomach in the beginning of my arrival).
Local people simply used to that.

[…]

One day I was going home from my office by rickshaw and I saw some kind of “graffiti” on the wall: Love Pakistan or Leave. And I found it so damn right. The MC and exInterns are trying to promote the opportunities in Pakistan and encourage people to come here, but… You want it or not – here the life is a bit different than anywhere else. Not everyone can make a decision to come to Islamic country and it is absolutely fine. You have to be naïve if you think that you can easily convince any intern to come to Lithuania. How many people still think that Lithuania is still the same as they used to see in Hollywood movies Russian cities in period of 80’s..?
Here, in Pakistan, is no compromise – Love or Leave. That’s what I’m trying to do in the last days – to define the beauty of Pakistan. Unfortunately everything came not on the right time. I guess my ‘Honey Moon’ is passing away. The longer I live here and more people I interact with, the more challenges I’m facing. I starting to notice that the understanding of leadership is a bit different to what I used (AIESEC influenced as well), understanding the timing, tasks and promises delivery, language barrier, housekeeping, etc – all these small details comes into one big problem called culture shock.
At that moment you realize that you not going to change their culture, the way of thinking, you can not force them to adapt to your needs. The most you can do is just to stop for a minute, take a deep breath in, write down your frustration on the sheet of paper and continue your adventure.
Love Pakistan or leave…