I just read this in the news. Daily Times has reported the inauguration of The Centaurus, Pakistan’s first seven-star hotel project, in Islamabad.
I am left wondering what are these people thinking? Can Pakistan afford, and sustain, a 7-star hotel? Do we really need one? And what is a 7-star hotel, after all? We can barely maintain a decent 2 or 3 star hotel in our major cities. Are we now competing with Dubai for architectural grandiosity? And whoever came up with the name should probably look for a job in Hollywood…
ISLAMABAD: The Centaurus, Pakistan’s first seven-star hotel project, was inaugurated on Thursday. The $350 million complex is planned to have a 37-storey deluxe hotel, with two 21-storey residential towers, a 25-storey corporate office complex, and a 5-storey shopping mall. The complex will have a parking lot that would accommodate over 2,000 vehicles. The project will be completed in three years… The Pak Gulf Construction Private Limited company (PGCL) and Messrs Atkins engineering company – the constructors of Dubai’s renowned Burj Al Arab – are executing the project. Saudi Arabian Al-Tamimi Group and the Sardar Group of Companies are making the investment….
President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said it was “the right time to invest in Pakistan� because of the country’s positive economic policies of de-regulation, liberalisation and privatisation coupled with a liberal foreign exchange regimen. “We have opened all sectors of the economy for investment and the scourge of red-tapism and bureaucratic delays are being done away with,� said the president at the foundation-laying ceremony of The Centaurus.
Just saw the video in the new post on children in Pakistan. Made me think.
Sure, there is nothing illegal in a private company spending its money as it wants to. Nothing immoral or inappropriate. They can do whatever they want. But is it right? What does it say about our national priorities. I guess once you are sitting on top of that revolving resturant, the child in the video is far below in the dust for you even to see!
Yes, there is nothing wrong with this at all. But it does not seem terribly right either.
“All of us Pakistanis are always interested in India their movies, their call centers, their music, their cricket”
Actually, believe it or not, I am not at all interested in Indian movies and music. And I don’t think I read news articles about India more carefully than about other countries. I hate Indian movies but before you call me hateful, I hate Pakistani movies as well.
Also, I wasn’t trying to be a smart alec by asking this question.
On the hotel. Bilal raised some interesting questions which also made me think, but overall I also say, well why not. Is this the most important thing Pakistan needs, probably not. But its not as if there is anything wrong with it either. If the investors think they can make money on this, then good for them. My real surprise is that there is even such a thing is a 7-star. There is only one real 5-star in Islamabad (and I think in Pakistan), that’s the Sarena. Marriot is technially a 4-star. So, what is it that makes a 7-star a 7-star. I guess we will find out ;-)
Eidee Man, I hope I misread the sarcasm in that last sentence. Why does it matter to you that Jyoti is interested in Pakistan. All of us Pakistanis are always interested in India (their movies, their call centers, their music, their cricket) so why not the other way round. I hope you were being playful in your comment, otherwise it may seem rude.
Jyoti, I at least welcome your and other Indian’s interest in Pakistan. As long as there is no malice, plesae stay interested.
Jyoti,
so India does not have 100 times more projects like this going on? As I stated twice before, I’m not against this project.
You do seem to take a lot of interest in Pakistani affairs.