(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
Falling short of the expected USD 21 billion deal, visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani did make an investment of roughly USD 21 during his recently concluded visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan and Qatar did ink three MoUs on trade, investment, tourism and financial intelligence but nothing by way of the USD 21 investment, as was being circulated by government circles prior to the visit. However, Al Thani and a couple of his staff members did get some food from Kabuli Restaurant in F-7 Markaz, Islamabad.
“I am friends in Doha with a senior engineer from Afghanistan who keeps raving about Afghan cuisine so I thought I’d just give it a go,” said Al Thani. “I couldn’t go to Kabul but Ashfaq said that Jinnah Market’s Kabul Restaurant is the next best thing, so I ordered in on the second day.”
“Yes, it did take me by a bit of surprise that they did not even protest one bit when I said I would pay,” continued al Thani. “I guess it must be a Pakistani thing.”
“No, why would it have been awkward,” he said, in reply to a question about whether it was uncomfortable that PM Khan wanted to also drop in for the dinner.
“There was enough for everyone. Even though, yes, your prime minister has quite an appetite,” he said, laughing.
Kabul restaurant manager (groundfloor) confirmed the story.
“Three dozen Afghani tikka, four Kabuli Pulao, two mantoo, two achak, five Kandahari naan,” said Laeeq Rafsanjani. “Take away. Rs 3300/-”
