He had the dollars, the domain name, the approved news categories, and a five-crore feasibility report. All he needed was the will to press start. Then his nephew found a corner plot in Defense Phase 6 — and Pakistan’s next great diaspora media empire became Lahore’s next great real estate investment.
By Imran Malik – ENC Mediabites.com.pk
They say, don’t they, that even when life gives you everything — wealth, fame, family, peace of mind — you still find yourself restless, chasing something bigger. Some of our Pakistani-Americans suffer from precisely this affliction.
On a recent trip to America, I met a Pakistani businessman in Orlando, Florida. Exceptionally humble, impeccably refined, saving crores every month. Properties back in Pakistan, naturally — because what is a Pakistani without real estate? Living a peaceful life in a peaceful neighborhood. He had tried entering American politics once or twice, but the dal refused to cook. The Republicans were delighted to take his funds and arrange photographs with Trump, but the relationship never quite progressed beyond the photo-op stage.
County Mayor? Beneath his dignity, thank you very much.
Back in Pakistan, he is something of a legend in his ancestral area. Extensive welfare work, spending lakhs on people every month. But the Punjab district where his ancestral home sits has been loyally electing PML-N since before he discovered the American Dream. MPA he does not wish to become — too small. MNA he cannot become — nobody is offering.
The mystery that haunts him: how does one become a representative of Pakistan’s ruling class? Plenty of politicians and bureaucrats pass through Florida and receive his generous hospitality. They let him park their dollars, enjoy some “recreation,” and then leave Chaudhry Sahib chasing the truck’s taillight—grateful for the meal, unavailable for the seat.
Once upon a time, Mian Sahib had made some Butt from New York a Senator. But that particular sesame ran dry, and no overseas Pakistani has managed a Senate seat since.
So I suggested: Sir, start your own media outlet. Half of what you spend on personal publicity — at whatever outrageous rates they charge you — would be enough to build a media setup that makes waves not just in America but across Pakistan. Within a year, you would be a known name in the circles that actually matter.
He listened carefully. He said the idea was not bad.
I laid it all out: the setup would not be so large as to cause dollar-anxiety within months, but within a year, the right people would know his name. He agreed. Monthly budget: ten lakh to start. Sixty lakh for six months. A two-to-three-year feasibility — five crore total, drawn up at his request. He was pleased. Said they would begin soon.
The news domain was registered. Designs were finalized. News categories approved. All that remained was the starting signal, which never arrived.
Then, yesterday, the WhatsApp voice note came.
His nephew had spotted a corner plot in Defense Phase 6. Five crore. He bought it.
And so the media empire that was going to carry Chaudhry Sahib’s name from Orlando to Okara — the platform politicians could not ignore, the voice of the diaspora — now exists as a registered domain, a set of approved news categories, and a feasibility report that will not be read.
But on the bright side: corner plots in Defense are always a good investment.
Everyone says so.
