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?
far out…….
This is height of incompetence. Concerned officials should be removed immediately and proceeded against.
Hi to all in Pakistan. For sure you already know by now that we really do not feel ofended in any way and that we know that mistakes happen and that it is beautiful to learn more and not to make them again – this mistake really turned out to be good at the end, many people from Czech republic are interested in Pakistan and also people in Pakistan may have looked for someone with sence of humor in Europe:) But i have a question: is there any other evidence of this – there has to be more camera shots from this or it is not true. Yes, it made to the News out here but I have not seen any other pictures but the same like here…
Wish all the Best to everybody
I agree we Pakistanis should learn from teh Czech reaction. Maybe we should also chill down rather than getting angry at everything.
Thank you all Czech commenters, I have been very impressed by your comments and your willingness to focus on the funny side of things instead of getting agitated and angry.
Hi,
I’m from India. Found this really funny. Not being judgemental here … you know that this happens in my country too. However I share with my Pakistani friends the concern over what would have happened if the the Pakistani (or for that matter the Indian) flag had been misrepresented by others. Possibly protests would have been held and effigies burnt. The recent Gere-Shilpa episode has made a joke of my country as well. I hope we learn from our czech friends how to have a sense of perspective about what’s important and what’s not.
Regards.