Chaudhry Shujaat (Left), Marvi Memon (center) Rabeya Jawaid (right)
I flew on the 7:00 morning flight to Islamabad on the 22nd of December all by myself. I landed around one hour later, and sat in the bus that would take us to either the normal lounge or the Rawal Lounge. The Rawal Lounge is the VIP lounge of Islamabad which provides executive environment with all required facilities. After everyone had got off at the normal lounge, the bus driver looked behind at me, as i uttered with a slight note of hesitance in my voice 'Rawal lounge, please.' As I entered the Rawal lounge, I saw the familiar face of Marvi Memon coming towards me. She greeted me and we walked to her car. In the car she asked me about myself. I told her about my subjects, interests, the sports day, and St. Joseph's (she is an ex-student of St. Josephs convent school.) Then she began talking. It was at that moment, in the car, when she talked about herself and her ideas that she made a sudden impact on me, and I realized what an extraordinary woman she was. I was so honored to be in her presence. We went to her office in the Parliamentary Lodge and read the morning's newspapers. She met with the Gilgit-Baltistan media person. She told him about the problems in that area and the delays in decision-making. Then we met with some Sindhi lecturers as Marvi Memon resolved to take up their problem in the National Assembly. I listened closely to their complaints and thought about how they had come all the way from Sindh and Marvi Memon was ready to try to get their problems solved. I will write about what else happened in the next blog,
BUT,
I copy here the detail of my two-day visit to Islamabad, as posted by Marvi Memon on her website: www.marvimemon.com
December 22, 2008
Posted by Marvi Memon under Diary- December'08
I had promised in November when I was chief guest at my old school St Joseph’s Convent’s sports days that the top athelite would be my guest in Islamlabad to attend assembly session and get a f lavour of one day in the life of an MNA. A commitment is a commitment in life. So I invited Rabeya to fly up to Islamabad. I picked her up from the airport. I have taken on a life mentor role that I look forward to. She is a bright soul who is very mature for her fifteen years of age. I know she will go places. We arrived at office.
Usual schedule. Newspaper person from Gilgit Baltistan had arrived. Gave statement on delays in resolution of issues. Delegation from Sindh of lecturers arrived to brief me. I sent them to get support of MQM to Dr Farooq Sattar who was most gracious in his support. Trip to shops to get birthday presents for family. news of yet another case launched against me to get rid of me from parliament. dealt with that. Went to have usual morning coffee with Ch Shujaat Hussain. Got briefing on strategy and shared daily happenings.
Rabiya had to see a normal day and I think she was seeing it! Rushed to drop a birthday present for my 70 year old golf partner. arrived back in the office. Discussed lecturers issue with Dr Farooq Sattar. Got ready for protest. Got support of MNA Shehnaz sheikh from PML Q and Tayyab and Nadeem MNAs from MQM, Ayaz Amir from PML N and coordinated their physically standing with me infront of parliament with these lecturers.
Went to parliament which got adjourned abruptly since govt didnt want to hear truth about India Pak failed crisis management. Took Rabiya to Dameneko to show her Isb by night. Had good chit chat about life in general. Went to Samaa TV for talkshow. Enjoyed Shireen mazari’s talk. Came home for dinner party for Pak amabassadors.
I hope Rabeya enjoyed day 1.
December 23, 2008
Posted by Marvi Memon under Diary- December'08
Day 2 with my Josephine started out with usual media analysis in morning at office. Then parliament – she met the Speaker, the Secretary, the whip, lots of famous Senators and MNas. Plus the proceedings had had two interesting items for her. First we did walk out on minority issue with MNA Akram Masih over holidays for Christmas. Second she heard all the rambling speeches on national security which amounted to not much crisp recommendations. We rushed to Dawn news program at Monument on Quaid where I spoke about leadership youth and state, We had to then run to a Women’s event on violence against women which never started on time. Next was personal time with my son shopping. Then dinner for foreign diplomats at home- Next was a trip to see a special mentor. And finally airport.
Rabeya will excel in life and I will do my best to be a good mentor to her. I liked her a lot.
A photograph with the Speaker of the National Assembly in front of the photo of our Quaid in her office.
