By Zubair Khan

An email came. Sender was President International Women Club Zagreb. The club, somehow, came to know that we (husband and wife) originally belonged to Pakistan and it invited us to represent Pakistan in the International Christmas Bazar, an annual event organised regularly for many decades in prestigious Zagreb Exhibition Halls. Above 60 countries take part in the one day event. 2 x tables were allotted to us with Pakistani flags. My wife arranged to prepare Samosas, Pakoras, Namak Paraz and Barfi. She could arrange some jewelry and clothing depicting Pakistani culture. All eatables, jewelry, clothing finished in couple of hours. However to our surprise Mehndi (Hina) proved to be most successful attraction for ladies. Ms Aaisha and Ms Mehrun Nisa, expert in Hina, were the most favourite girls of the participants. Even non stop working could not cope up with demand. At 16.00 when closing bells rang, one could see long que still waiting for turn.

Indian Embassy staff was astonished to witness the extra ordinary crowd on Pakistan stall. Head of Indian Diplomatic mission came to inquire who orgaized the Paksitani stall while there is no Pakistani mission in Croatia. After explanation he was impressed with the motivation of only Pakistani family living in Zagreb. During the day few Pakistanis who are since long live in Croatia also visited. However all others were married to Croatian ladies. Ms Ivana Vincek, wife of Dr Javed Khan got emotional, went back, dressed up in Pakistani Shalwar Qameez and participated with full zeal and devotion.

In the end all the earnings were presented as donation to the organisers of bazaar which is further presented to charities of Croatia. Club authorities got so much impressed and made a decision to allot permanently two table to Pakistan for next events. Croatia is taken care of by Pakistan Embassy in Bosnia. It might be useful if Embassy staff in Bosnia can contact the authorities as to enabling couple of Pakistanis living in Croatia to present the image of Pakistan in much better way.