Were the political ramifications of this visa-waiver for Pakistanis to enter T&T agreed or even thought about before Malala Yousafzai visited T&T in 2014?
Granted that she was invited because she is one of the most talked about and admired teenagers in the world–but what about the "why" and the "how" of her fame? Pakistan is known to be one of the most delicately treated countries on the world political landscape with no First World country allowing easy visa access to its citizens. It is well documented why this is so.
Pakistan's struggle for world acceptance will continue for many years. What has their personal struggle got to do with a very small country like ours? Are we inviting the females of Pakistan, en masse, to visit, live or come for free tertiary education in T&T as we have a female prime minister? Are we looking to employ Pakistani doctors and nurses in our beleaguered health sector, thus affording them easy visa access to this country?
Why do we not just offer visa waivers to the whole world? Why put the squeeze on Caricom nationals, Chinese and Nigerians? Remember, this is the country where squatters have equal rights and certificates of comfort.Is the United Nations, Amnesty International, the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders recording how big hearted, generous and rich we are? Or am I just running away with unjustified sarcasm?
Lynette Joseph,
via e-mail