Zardari’s Visit to Ajmer bestows $1 million

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari offered prayers at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif after seven years. His last visit to the shrine was with his late wife Benazir Bhutto in 2005.  He arrived on Sunday at 4 pm after having lunch with Indian Premier Manmohan Singh and stayed at the shrine for around 20 minutes under the absolute security of about 3000 Indian Policemen. The shrine was closed for the visitors after noon and the whole location was safeguarded by setting colorful tents all around to cover his movement. The President had 44 members of the delegation with him counting his 23 year old son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Mr. Zardari with his usual cheery persona entered the shrine in Blue Shalwar Kameez with Sindhi ‘Ajrak’ and turban, waving hands to the local people. He offered a 42 square meter long red ‘chadar’ and floral accolades at the Dargah whereas Bilawal offered a green one. He was overjoyed and prayed for the entire mankind.

He termed his gratitude as incomprehensible and blissful. So as a good will shrug he lavishly made a contribution of one million dollars which becomes 90,588,640 Pakistani rupees after conversion. It was indeed an ecstatic trip for him because after such stained relationships with the neighboring country who could think him giving such a sumptuous amount as just a donation. Especially, just after the demand of alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed from the Indian side, against whom no evidence has yet been provided.

There are severe issues yet to be settled with the country that has proven itself as a perfect example to be called as ‘mother of democracy’, for instance Kashmir, Siachen, 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks and illegal intervention of Indian Army in Pakistan’s largest province Balochistan.

The Dargah administration asserted that, so far, this was the highest ever offering by any Pakistani President. As per the sources, previously President Zia Ul Haq had given Rs7 lakh whereas General Parvez Musharaff had presented Rs10 lakh.

In this crucial time when Pakistan’s more than 40 percent population lives below the poverty line and the power shortage is reaching to the sky, not forgetting to mention the rocking price hike of CNG and Petrol, our President’s centre of attention became a Holy Shrine in India whereas the deteriorating conditions of our local shrines is an open secret.

We just hope he remembers his sense of belonging to a country battling for extremism and hunger. His, very own people who are striving hard each day to get their livelihood. May be a small contribution creates a big difference in their lives.