Life in Islamabad is motoring along. Of all the places I’ve lived (which are many) Pakistan is probably the friendliest. Even compared to America, which many visitors consider intrusively friendly, people here are quick to talk to strangers. In my case there may be a bit of novelty to encourage a connection. I am often the only blond, or blondish, or formerly blond, guy within miles. It has led to a lot of fun encounters and interesting conversations. In just six months I feel I have more friends here than I did at the same point in the UK, or Serbia or Ukraine, maybe even a little ahead of Ghana, and more than when moving to Denver, Charlotte or Miami.
Broadly my circle is either from the gym, or work contacts and the office. Our business is getting some momentum now and initial contacts are starting to produce further introductions and referrals. People in executive and senior positions here are smart and very professional and there is a good spirit of optimism throughout. All the components for success are in place to varying degrees, I think the only thing holding back Pakistan is investor’s concern for event risk. This neighborhood is unpredictable and some unimaginable surprise can’t be quantified if it can’t even be identified. Probably it will take a peaceful passage of time and a continuation of the 4% growth rate before the world sees us as the next Vietnam.
Meanwhile, money is being made by a hardy few. And to be clear, one doesn’t have to be all that hardy. My lifestyle is very pleasant, thanks to air conditioning, with good art galleries, book stores (supplemented by kindle), a coffee bar culture, fast wifi, and great restaurants - loving the food. I see the regular gang at the gym every day for a nice workout and a harmless gossip, and there are plenty of good clothing stores to feed my gym-trained vanity. Textiles are a big industry of Pakistan (watch for future modelling sets).
Weaving (pun intended) these themes together, recently the team from the office went to dinner at a popular restaurant high up in the Margalla hills, just north of the city. This is a smart, hard-working, dedicated group but still always ready to laugh and have fun. Also I must salute their instinct for and deeds of generosity and kindness to others. During and after dinner we played with the cameras and this great shot resulted.
Broadly my circle is either from the gym, or work contacts and the office. Our business is getting some momentum now and initial contacts are starting to produce further introductions and referrals. People in executive and senior positions here are smart and very professional and there is a good spirit of optimism throughout. All the components for success are in place to varying degrees, I think the only thing holding back Pakistan is investor’s concern for event risk. This neighborhood is unpredictable and some unimaginable surprise can’t be quantified if it can’t even be identified. Probably it will take a peaceful passage of time and a continuation of the 4% growth rate before the world sees us as the next Vietnam.
Meanwhile, money is being made by a hardy few. And to be clear, one doesn’t have to be all that hardy. My lifestyle is very pleasant, thanks to air conditioning, with good art galleries, book stores (supplemented by kindle), a coffee bar culture, fast wifi, and great restaurants - loving the food. I see the regular gang at the gym every day for a nice workout and a harmless gossip, and there are plenty of good clothing stores to feed my gym-trained vanity. Textiles are a big industry of Pakistan (watch for future modelling sets).
Weaving (pun intended) these themes together, recently the team from the office went to dinner at a popular restaurant high up in the Margalla hills, just north of the city. This is a smart, hard-working, dedicated group but still always ready to laugh and have fun. Also I must salute their instinct for and deeds of generosity and kindness to others. During and after dinner we played with the cameras and this great shot resulted.
From left to right you will recognize me, the incomparable Abdul Qayyum, and global financier Werner Riecke. On the night I didn’t believe the city lights would register on film (an anachronism I can’t lose) but as you can see Islamabad is bright, geometrical and stretches on for a great distance. And to repeat the food is amazing, though from the photograph below you would think I hadn’t eaten for a while. Not true, believe me.
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