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?
Hi all,
I am from the Czech republic (and I was in Pakistan too, and will go again this year). From my point of view, our PM didn’t notice this at all or he was too shy to ask. It didn’t touch our news at all, which is quite unusuall, because this is not first time when we see something like this.
Czech republic is a small young country in the middle of the Europe (population equal to Lahore + Islamabad) and I can provide many examples like screenshot from CNN etc. where Czech rep has border with Iraq, capital from different country, or placed somewhere into former Yugoslavia…
I think he didn’t expecting there should be our flag and he was looking somewhere else anyway.
I can say,that there is nobody in Czech rep. who will take this as some kind of offence or something.
The Check Republic Prays for the Pakistani Progress and Prosperity. :-)
God may help our Rulers and their advisers to concentrate
in other serious subjects than the politics etc.
This is a silly mistake. I am happy to see reaction and apology from so many Pakistanis. In a world where everyone is always so angry and ready to fight for honor this is small thing. I am sure our prime minister woudl have laughed off and accepted Pakistan apology. We all do too. Its a global world now and we all need to learn to live with and about all others in world.
Peace, all.
Hi all!
I am also from the Czech Republic. However, I do not completely agree with Gabi and Michael. The mistake with the flag was stupid, but come on, we all are just people who make mistakes. People in the Czech Republic are not ideal either. I think simple “Sorry for the mistake” would be enough and no need to exaggarate this.
Wish a nice day to all!
J.