Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

Jolie · January 8, 2014, 12:11am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

What about Pakistanis who carry foreign passport, are they allowed?

GoldenAsif · January 8, 2014, 12:26am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

Apparently YES i.e. Pakistanis holding dual nationality or foreign passports are allowed

As for access to alcohol in Pakistan, if they hold dual nationality and they are muslim then there could be problems apart from obvious embarrassment (but can always use contacts; non-muslims or people in privileged positions). Some British Pakistanis travelling to Pakistan prefer to have Pakistani visa only so that if anything happens to them (robbed etc.) in Pakistan then they can directly ask the UK embassy/British Government (might be less inclined to help you if you have Pak passport as well) for help... That is my understanding!

Many Pak expatriates have good contacts and connections in Pakistan

TLK · January 8, 2014, 12:37am

This racist behavior against own country fellow is nothing new. There was a section of beach at Makran border near somiyani in 80s I think, which was only open to foreign nationals. No Pakistani was allowed. I heard that zulfiqar Bhutto had the same plans for his Clifton casino project.

Jolie · January 8, 2014, 12:43am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

Some Pakistanis with foreign Pakistanis just need to walk in there, get themselves seated and at the time of the order, just simply say 'errrm I was wondering if could suggest any good Italian restaurant around, sadly there's nothing on the menu that appeals to me' and walk out after clapping the menu down.

I would have done that if this stupid place was situated somewhere in Lahore.

TS · January 8, 2014, 12:58am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

It’s interesting that the comments to the article contained this piece of info also.
No Indians allowed. Only foreigners | Nishant Ratnakar Photography

Ethan_Hunt · January 8, 2014, 1:12am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

I would've loved to do a SWAT on them only if I was in Punjab Police :/

phoenixdesi · January 8, 2014, 3:56am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

yep...

want to be my date?

phoenixdesi · January 8, 2014, 3:57am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

you mean a 4-blocker SWAT analysis?

phoenixdesi · January 8, 2014, 3:58am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

yep i agree....it has to be close to 5 crore if not more....

diwana · January 8, 2014, 4:12am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

Shamraz_Khan:

Are you kidding me? If this person put up sign like that on his business in the US, DOJ and the entire federal govt system would come crashing down on him. How come this is allowed in Pakistan’s federal capital?

Pakistanis not welcome

The marvel that is modern-day racism comes disguised as an effort to “protect” certain “sensibilities”. A restaurant smack in the middle of the capital, Islamabad, operates on a no-Pakistani-passports-please policy. The only way to cross the hallowed threshold is for the entrant to either be in possession of a foreign passport, or to be latched on to the coat-tails of someone who is. No Pakistanis are deemed safe to be allowed entry into La Maison, the restaurant that operates this policy.

Other than the fact that it is remarkable Pakistanis in their own country are treated as unwelcome in local establishments, what is even more surprising is that the justification offered is that the owner is “only” trying to protect local sensibilities. If Mr Lafourge is desperately interested in protecting the religious purity of the belief of all Muslims, why not operate a ‘no-Muslims’ policy? Why a ‘no-Pakistanis, but Pakistanis-with-foreign-passports-are-very-welcome policy’? It doesn’t matter what religion you belong to, hold a Pakistani passport up at entry, and you’ll be tossed out on your ear.
Mr Lafourge’s response has been to mention the diplomatic enclave, saying strict entry requirements exist there too. Nice try. Surely the grave threat posed by clients unable to appreciate the Châteuaneuf-du-Pape, or asking for a steak to be cooked well-done (the horror), is a worry, but is it worth recreating the apartheid for? Come on, Mr Lafourge. The idea of self-appointed moral policeman, making judgement calls based on one’s passport is a fairly uncultured and reprehensible idea — even us savages with green passports can see that.

The restaurant must think about what the policy really implies; that a person with a foreign nationality somehow deserves to be served unquestioned, while Pakistanis are to be treated with caution, and only allowed entry with a foreign passport-holder as some sort of guarantor of good behaviour. Meanwhile, it ought to be a worry for politicians and CDA officials, that in Pakistan, it’s become Pakistanis who need a “He’s with me” sifarish from a foreigner to be served at local establishments? The only thing a passport is valid for is to determine one’s nationality, not to form preconceptions from that knowledge. Either change the policy, or shut the place down. Pakistan is for Pakistanis. Mr Lafourge needs to step out of the colonial era, and stop lecturing a country in which he is a guest, not a master.

Mr. Lafourge needs to be spanked if not kicked on his bare behind by Pakistanis openly if this is true.

GoldenAsif · January 8, 2014, 4:56am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

It's about affordability not religiosity

5 crore logon ko do waqt ki roti k laaley parey huey hein. alcohol kahan sey afford karen gey!!!

knjaved · January 8, 2014, 6:18am

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

how could our Law allowed some moron to open non-hilal restaurant??

horor

Captain1 · January 8, 2014, 1:37pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

If phoenixdesi could, he would provide them alcohol if they promised him not to be religious :D

phoenixdesi · January 8, 2014, 2:59pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

and i also know what exactly you are drinking in that cup of tea in every post!

tea ka to saraf bihana hai captain jee! hamay sub pata hai....

Captain1 · January 8, 2014, 3:35pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

Jolie · January 8, 2014, 7:46pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

I'm afraid I'm not a fan of French cuisine.

Iconoclast · January 8, 2014, 7:53pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

What surprises me that you would believe and quote such a flawed “estimate”. Next time anyone wants to estimate number of deliveries in a city, goes to a obstetrician operating a clinic.

phoenixdesi · January 8, 2014, 8:06pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

hey it was not about french or non french food...it was all abt enjoying PD's company!

deep sigh.....

Doppleganger · January 8, 2014, 9:23pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

tsk tsk PD scares off all the GS *hotties* ...

phoenixdesi · January 8, 2014, 10:22pm

Re: Pakistanis not welcome in Islamabad restaurant

i guess i do...i just got rejected by jolie!

i guess shd go and have couple of drinks with captain1!!! mariee qismat may captain jee kee company hee lakhiee hai!