Why the Saudis
Took Away All Bed Sheets from Pakistan
Special
SAT Report
ISLAMABAD:
While the world is wondering about what nuclear deals were struck
during the recent, now controversial, visit of Saudi Crown Prince
Abdullah to Pakistan, the local security agencies are in a state
of high tension, bordering panic.
This
panic was evident when Crown Prince Abdullah left the imposing
Punjab House, located on top of Islamabad, as some one had ripped
the whole Royal suite apart, looking for something hidden somewhere.
Police
sources told the South Asia Tribune “some bed sheets
had been removed from the Royal
Suite” but the panic was not about used bed sheets. Who
cares if some one took them after use, probably to protect DNA
evidence.
The
real concern was about bugging devices in the room which, the
security officials feared, had been detected by the Royal guests,
even before Prince Abdullah had entered the suites.
Apparently
the Saudi secret police accompanying the Royal Guest carried out
their own scanning and detected that the room was bugged. They
ripped apart all the devices and restored the room for the Saudi
monarch. He was not informed until the schedule was over and the
guests were leaving the Punjab House.
There
was a wave of anger, naturally, and as a result, the Saudi visitors
did not offer the huge gifts or tips they normally do to local
staff attached to serve them. The usual scramble among government
and protocol officials to try and get closer to the sheikhs so
that when they leave, a handsome tip is received was all in vain.
Both
the Saudis and the Pakistani sides kept the whole episode under
wraps but the word leaked to some of the media people and Police
high ups had been informed that the Saudis were not very happy
with whatever had been going on.
The
Police informed their own high ups with the understanding that
it would be conveyed to the relevant bosses.
But
these bosses, specially the agencies which may have planted the
bugs, were seriously worried about the repercussions. As the Saudis
had controlled the situation before it could cause any damage,
no public reaction was displayed.
But
certainly the guests expressed their anger and disgust when they
left the room. It was all ripped apart to show the non-professional
Pakistani agencies that they had been caught and disarmed.
Now
the Pakistani side is waiting for what diplomatic reaction may
be coming. Certainly if General Musharraf pays a quick unscheduled
visit to Saudi Arabia soon, he would obviously be addressing the
embarrassment and apologizing for the “unauthorized”
behavior of the agencies. Some blame may even be placed on some
foreign agencies allowed to work in Pakistan.
The
Saudis, as usual, are expected to forgive but not forget the matter
for some time to come. They would in any case be more careful
dealing with the military government, specially when their top
leaders visit Pakistani.
