Adil Najam
On your left is the picture of the flag of the Czech Republic. On your right is a ‘Check’ (or, rather, checkered flag; often used in car racing. The two should never be confused. Except for the fact that ‘Czech’ is pronounced as ‘check.’
Ordinarily, this should not be a problem. But right now the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic is visiting Islamabad, and the Capital’s PR people have adorned flags on flagpoles and a number of (very) large banners to welcome him in the spirit of good hospitality. The only problem is that instead of putting the ‘Czech’ flags on the banners, they have ‘Check’ flags!
I saw these while driving back into Islamabad on the from the Airport. I rushed back to see if I would figure out who was responsible for this little gaffe and maybe alert them to the mistake before the Czech PM arrived. Unfortunately, it turned out that the Czech PM was already here.
I wonder what he and his team thought of this. Did they even mention it to their hosts or did they just keep politely quiet? I also wonder what they thought about the banner that read: “We Pray for the Czech Progress and Prosperity”?I am sure they liked the sentiment, but maybe they also wondered why Pakistanis are praying for Czech progress and prosperity instead of working harder for Pakistani progress or prosperity. On the other hand, maybe they do not think as hard about what is written on banners as I do!
I have no way of knowing this, but my theory of how this might have happened is this – Someone tells someone to find out what a Czech (read ‘check’) flag looks like; they look up ‘check flag’ on Google, and that is the one which makes it way on the banner.
Nice story for a chuckle? But how would you feel if the Pakistan Prime Minister goes to another country and they mess up the flags this way?
You see Ursani and you explain the problem as well, all pakistani people which are tolerant, smart and open for changes and better education are out of the country(i dont blame you, just pitty the situation…)
Your country is so beautiful and “potential” for everything… how nice it would be if we can just jump on the plane(why i need visa?) and go to Pakistan and travel around without permanent panic about our lives(especially on the north, which is the best- karakoram highway, Skardu…) Your people will make money and pray as much as they want anyway and everyone will be happy….
Well this discussion can be endless, i am in west africa now and miss fresh fruits and vegetables from Islamabad markets!:O)
Everywhere is something! BUT the possibilities you have in Pakistan are worth to try to change things, especially for young, not brain washed people(g.trotter) …!!!!
Globe trotter please dont bring ur ingorant and uncultured youtube culture here there are ways to argue, clearly its the mistake of our officials resposnsible for this,Gabi and Micheal are right to point this out ( we also know what would our reaction will be if it happened otherwise).I live in canada and i know how tolerant the society here is for other religions i wish we can follow that.Gabi and Micheal i personally apologise as a Pakistani for this stupid mistake of ours.
Hi all.
It’s a discrace to even see such an ignorant and plump mistake done by the great nation of Pakistan. I urge all czech people to protest, rally the streats, scream and burn the Pakistani flag, make dolls of the Pakistani president and burn him as well since I am SURE after living and working in pakistan for along time THIS WILL HAPPEN IN PAKISTAN if it was the other way around.
NO! I do not need to educate myself about the Pakistani peolpe, cultur of religion, I have been there, I have done it and I have the t-shirt.
UPS i see we are two Gabis here, thanks for support :o)
Micheal, i am from czech as well and i agree, you shortly wrote how IT IS(..with any big future progress from my side of view) and we both can judge since we have the experiences….. i lived in islamabad almost one year and when i asked my friends in czech rep. how is this “failer” taken, most of them dont even know about it..!
BUT can you imagine we do the mistake in our country, ohlala,ALL muslims no matter from where, of course easter-than worse, will make big thing out of it FOR SURE !
Anyway it won’t happen.. our PR in government know how to google a flag!
Woman!
Gabi