Needed to get COVID Vaccine booster in connection with foreign travel in fortnight's time. It had to be administered two weeks before boarding the plane. Besides, I got initial two dosages of Sinopharm, so it had to be Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson etc. Basically, white man’s product got royal precedence over rest of the world specially when it was pitched against products of lesser humans in East of the world.
This is what happened.
Travel Agent asked to pay Rs 2500 for NADRA entry without vaccination. Despite a busy day at work, refused to walk the treaded path.
Searched Google for COVID vaccination center near me and UHospital opposite Giga Mall was the closest. 1100 hrs. Called on given number. They said vaccination operation suspended for two months and referred me to next door hospital dedicated for the same purpose. 1130 hrs. IRM ( Institute of Regenerative Medicine) hospital vaccination department told me that only the vaccines I required were not available. However, in the evening a friend of mine called and the lady who received the call confirmed that white man’s vaccines were available.
1200 hrs. Being entitled for CMH treatment and lucky enough to have direct access to senior pathologists at CMH, made the same request but was told that NADRA entry wasn’t available.
1700 hrs. Called COVID helpline 1166 for info and help. Operator confirmed that Crescent Hospital 5th Road was a 24/7 COVID vaccination center.
1800 hrs. Foreign travel involved money exchange. Money changer refused to give foreign currency. A convincing request worked. From last Saturday, 23 July, the same currency had gained 10%. How unreal? He was also complaining of phone call to US which lowered dollar by Rs 13 today. So they had to sell at lower price than yesterday's purchase. Why you sir? Why not Cocomo? So a farmer is doing blacksmith's job and a cook is stiching clothes and custodian of security is asking for financial help from US to ask IMF for our loan saction. Quite a serious joke. Whether we get the loan or not, the dollar has taken a dip. Are we sitting in a Vegas Casino? In fact, it feels like we are onboard a Cruise ship in the middle of a deep sea and it is sinking by the minute. Captain of the ship is Jack Sparrow who is a swindler of proportions. Amid this chaos, millions being spent on Azadi shows and songs. Why? Are we free at all? I feel like doing a Vlog in Punjabi with my gloves off.
1930 hrs. Crescent Hospital Chowkidar didn’t let us in and told that operation was suspended since January 2022.
2000 hrs. Called helpline 1166 again. Operator apologised and asked to register complain but I asked him to give me authentic info on F9 Park COVID facility. He confirmed and I rushed to F9 Park. This was the time the reality began to sink in that we had gotten used to a Pakistan where things were being managed quite efficiently. During COVID stricken environments in past two years, the response of staff was amazing. The output was exemplary. General discipline was up to the mark. People had fear of accountability. Hence, wilynily everyone was abiding by the law. But now we have shameless thieves at the helm of affairs. And there is no need to waste words but trickle down effect of “getting back to basics” was quite visible today. I prayed to Allah for Pakistan's betterment and prayed for annihilation of its enemies within and outside.
2030 hrs. F9 Park Chowkidar refused entry as vaccination closing time was 8pm which was supposed was to be 24/7.
My 13 years son was witnessing all this. I felt sad that what would he grow up with. He shouldn’t have seen all this. What if this next generation also gets disgruntled? That would be a great loss.
2045 hrs. Called again at helpline and again the operator insisted on registering complaint which I did and also asked once again for authentic news of center that could administer vaccine and make record entry in NADRA database. He referred me yet another 24/7 center also shared its contact.
In the meantime, a caring friend started lining up options through NCOC geysers and “NADRA entry experts” who pledged entry in back dates. Not something I wanted. Not something my son should have experienced firsthand.
2100 hrs. Based on helpiline's authentic info of 24/7 service there, called IHITC (Isolation Hospital & Infectious Treatment Center),Islamabad. Phone was attended but White man’s vaccines were all expired with them. I asked him, could he do data entry without vaccination since the required vaccines were expired. He assured that was not an issue at all. Drop in by tomorrow and consider it done.
I had to fall back to my home without vaccination. Vaccination in purana Pakistan is easier than you think but purana Pakistan is history now. The day started with my agent's advice to pay "facilation fee" & get the job done and his assessment won but at least I resisted and gave it my best shot.
Islamic year starts today with few days of grief in the beginning. We hope and pray that each one of you and your family has a blessed year ahead. May the fortunes of Pakistan change for good. Ameen
اللہ کریم ہم سب کے لئے آسانیاں پیدا فرمائیں آمین، سر ہم جنگل کے معاشرے میں جی رہے ہیں اور دکھ یہ ہے کہ جینا بھی یہیں ہے، اپنی تو خیر کٹ ہی جائے گی لیکن بچوں کا سوچ کر جگر لہو ہو جاتا ہے۔۔۔ آپ کی ہمت اور حوصلے کی داد ہے، اللہ کریم آپ کو اپنی حفظ و امان میں رکھیں آمین
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