I was introduced to the term "Sheedas" by my friend Masood Hassan. His family has deep roots in Lahore. So he knows best. I have done three stints in Lahore. The first was in 1960/1 when I did my matric from Azam Garrison School, Lahore Cantt. My uncle was the doctor in charge at Gulab Devi Hospital. I used to bicycle from Walton to Lahore Cantt, and back, in sizzling heat. My close friend at that time was Abid Ilahi, the son of the famous Colonel Ilahi Bukhsh. Their residence was at I, main Gulberg.
My Second stint started in January 1970. My company ICI posted me to Lahore as a Regional Manager. ICI had a big presence in Punjab - a paints factory in Lahore and the big complex at Khewra. I was a bachelor and enjoying my freedom. I was due to be married later in the year. Unfortunately, the Governor of West Pakistan, Lieutenant-General Atiq-ur-Rehman was a close family friend. One day two Lahori friends (very rich and very famous) and I were sitting in the lawn of The iconic Flatties hotel, enjoying the winter sun. Some tourist girls were with us. Our favourite waiter was serving samosas and the beverage of choice. An army jeep drove up with the radio communication system in the rear (it was before the cell phone era). A captain walked up to me, saluted smartly and said "Sir, Governor Sahib wants to see you immediately". I went to the toilet, rinsed my mouth and got into the Jeep. Governor Sahib and the ever elegant Fareeh Aunty were sitting in the portico. Fareeh Aunty and my mother were together in Indraprastha Women's College, Delhi. After the talk, the Governor said "Farooq, your mother has asked me to keep a very strict eye on you. You are to be married soon. Your mother does not want a scandal, as you are prone to do, etc." Later he handed me a carton of cigarettes marked "Governor's House". I left pledging allegiance to "the right path".
When I eventually got married, we moved to a small flat in Shah Jamal Colony. Then we moved to bigger digs, an annexe, in the FCC area (Foreman Christian College). After six months my wife gently enquired "Can we move back to Karachi?" I asked "why?" She replied: "Whenever I meet a lady she asks four questions, 1: What does your husband do?, 2: What is his salary?, 3: What is your family's landholding? and 4: Do you shop at Selfridges?" "Besides there are no normal people in Lahore - everyone is a Malik Sahib, Khwaja Sahib, Chaudhry Sahib - Karachi is much more democratic." This is before Karachi became a hostage to MQM. On my last visit to Lahore 5 years ago, I noticed that the Chaudhry family (of Gujrat) had colonised the FCC area. Upward mobility! I am a great fan of Chaudhry Shujaat. He is famous for coining two famous Punjabi slogans "Throw dust. Move forward. Don't explore the past". In 2005-7 when the Bank of Punjab was going bankrupt, Shujat declared "WHAT KIND OF CHOUDHRY WOULD I BE, IF I RETURNED MY LOANS". The most famous Punjabi slogan is "jag Punjabi jag. Teerey pug nu lag gaya dagh" [Awaken Punjabi Awaken. Your Honour has been sullied].
In 1973, my company (ICI) advised me to become a member of the Lahore Gymkhana. The formalities were completed. I appeared before the balloting committee. One famous gentleman on the committee, Tajammul Hussain, inquired about my family's landholding. Cheekily I replied, 'Sir, 1000 sq. yards, in Karol Bagh, New Delhi'. Tajammul was not amused. Given my corporate standing I was made a member. I last used the Club in 1986. I continuously inquire from Lahore Gymkhana about reviving my membership. But they do not respond.
In those days, Lahore did not have a great corporate presence - especially the MNCs. It was a big deal that the Dawood Hercules Project was being set up in Sheikhupura. My company was a big supplier and vendor to DHL. I spent at least one day a week at the plant. At peak approximately 30 expatriate families on the DHL payroll were stationed in Lahore. The head office of DHL was located in Wapda House. Some of my friends worked there. The two charming ladies who managed the reception/telephone exchange at the DHL Head Office were very enterprising. They were running a sophisticated call girl racket for the expatriates. I hope these ladies have retired well on their considerable earnings.
(To be continued)
(The writer is the former Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan)
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