Meet Angelina Jolie. Hollywoods finest and prettiest exports. She came to Pakistan as an ambassador from the UN. Pakistan, a corrupt, inept, dollar-hungers and downright cheesy. This description sums up the personal attributes of the vast majority of Pakistani politicians and generally the closed club of Pakistan’s ruling elite, barring few gentle exceptions. No one discovered this better than Angelina Jolie, who was put off by the antics of the Pakistani ruling elite during her visit to Pakistan to rally international support for flood victims. As much as she was touched by meeting ordinary Pakistanis, her meetings with Pakistani elites were awful, to say the least. Just read what the editorial of The News International on October 17, 2010 (Not So Jolie): “It will be recalled that Angelina Jolie recently graced us with a visit. She – apart from being a global megastar – is also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. The UN has used high-profile figures from show-business that have a humanitarian string to their bow for many years, and with wildly variable effect. Ms Jolie is one of the more articulate and effective of these glittery ambassadors and she has written a report for the UN on her visit to us – and it makes uncomfortable reading if you are a member of our bloated and over-indulged government. Jolie expressed the view that her governmental hosts were more interested in setting up photo opportunities involving her and assorted dignitaries, and somewhat less than concerned about the human tragedy she was visiting Pakistan to observe first hand. She recommends to the UN that it ask the government of Pakistan to cut back on its luxury lifestyle, particularly as it is currently holding a begging bowl (Asif Ali Zardaris government) in front of all and sundry. She expressed surprise that the prime minister’s family (Yusuf Raza Gillani) presented her with expensive gifts. Whilst the giving of gifts to guests is a part of our cultural heritage, it would have been more appropriate on this occasion if something more modest, and pertinent to the purpose of the visit, had been presented. Our politicians acted like star-struck children and once again did nothing to enhance the global reputation of them or us as a nation. Ms Jolie is right to protest (though we doubt that the UN is going to be telling our government to trim its sails) and if our political classes will listen to nobody else when they are calling for greater austerity then perhaps they will lend an ear to Ms Jolie. And if they don’t she may just return in-role and drop-kick a few of them over the horizon – which might not be a bad idea.” Jolie’s horror story began when she saw Pakistani rulers pushing back flood victims to make time for private group photos with her, showering her with gifts, inviting her to sumptuous private dinners, and requesting her for private photo opportunities. Wow, what an eye opener! (Not!)
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 21:36:59 +0000
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