(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
HAVANA – Cuba’s economy has suffered since the election of US President Donald Trump in 2016 due to a decline in tourism and renewed sanctions from the Trump administration. Amidst the billions of dollars lost every year, a rare bright spot has emerged, according to confidential reports.
A recent report by leading cigar makers in Cuba revealed that the amount of cigars sold in Pakistan have exceeded sales in the rest of the world. Further investigation by this scribe revealed that most of those cigars have been purchased over the last two years in Rawalpindi, by Pakistan Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed.
Cuba’s bilateral trade with Rasheed has reached an all-time high according to latest figures released by the Cuban commerce ministry. In return, The Dependent, has learnt, Rasheed is providing railway services to run Cuba’s new Chinese train cars.
The Cuban commerce ministry is planning to award Rasheed with a national award due to his efforts to keep the Cuban economy afloat.
Despite the role of Sheikh Rasheed in helping the Cuban economy, visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals will not be removed in the future, commerce ministry sources confirmed.