Do you know what Shaniera Akram is in love?
Wasim Akram, you would say.
That is true. The Australian born Shaniera is also in deep, deep love with Pakistan.
She tweeted on Independence Day:
– I’ve got my band on my hand ready to celebrate with PAKISTAN! #August14 #PakistanDay #PakistanZindabad #GotMyBand pic.twitter.com/portYiwxUx
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) August 13, 2016
While shooting for Sana Safinaz’ Independence day collection, She said, “Even though I was not born in this beautiful country, I’m proud to be a Pakistani because the people of this country have accepted me and loved me so I feel just as proud celebrating this day.”
“Pakistanis have the most beautiful hearts of all the people on this earth and I’m proud to call myself an honorary Pakistani for now and for always.” She further explained.
Controversies and negativity refuse to die down in Pakistan. But the people who have made visits to Pakistan admired its beauty. They loved their visit or stay to Pakistan so much that they couldn’t hinder themselves from attempting to break typical stereotypes about Pakistan.
Shaniera’s love and concern for Pakistan are unbelievable. She said in a tweet, “Well I’m proof that you don’t have to be born here (In Pakistan) to love Pakistanis.”
Well I’m proof that you don’t have to be born here to love Pakistanis ???? https://t.co/Ha3z4mITkO
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) August 10, 2016
Pakistan’s natural beauty is supreme. Tourism has gone through times of robust growth and bust, but for past few years it is gaining foothold. Pakistan has the world most beautiful places to visit, especially its Northern Areas and Kashmir region. Tourism has increased by 25% this year and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is expecting betterment. Mountains covered with beautiful snow and sparkling lakes of Pakistan have bloomed with surge of tourists. About one million tourists were reported this year in Northern areas of Pakistan.
Her (Shaniera) actions describing her love for Pakistan doesn’t end here. She wrote a poem “My Pakistan” on Independence Day, which will bring a patriot out of you. Here’s the poem:
Isn’t it wow? She is foreigner and loves Pakistan like you can’t imagine.
Here are a few pictures of Shaniera, which will leave you speechless.
The story doesn’t end here. Brandon Stanton is also one of those, who loved to visit Pakistan.
With his coverage of Pakistan on Humans of New York, he not only showed the world how beauty, simplicity, humor and intelligence is found at every corner of Pakistan but also went ahead and defended the people of Pakistan from people like Donald Trump.
And his images regarding Pakistan consisted of Pakistanis doing ordinary things, Pakistanis doing extra-ordinary things, bravery, love, longing, heroism, childishness, it broke the image of Pakistan that so many foreigners carried in their minds, of extremism, blood, dead bodies and bombs.
Clara Arrighi is also one of the many who visited Pakistan and didn’t want to leave.
It is obvious for the people to get scared on visiting Pakistan, who’ve never been here. Same happened to Clara Arrighi. She is a Spain national, and keeps visiting different countries. She had been to countries like Sri Lanka, Egypt etc. But, when she was told about her visit to Pakistan for job, she got worried. Her well-wishers suggested her rather to leave job than going to a place like Pakistan.
“Prepare to get sick and food poisoned, they told me”, she said.
“I did not want to spend the next six months of my life in between mud roads and traffic, dirt and smelly donkeys. I definitely did not want to share my time with radical people, extremists, and walk around all covered”, She said.
It was her destiny, so she was told by someone that Pakistan is a beautiful place. So, she decided to overcome her fear and decided to make a visit to Pakistan.
“When you go to Pakistan you cry two times: when you are sent there and when you have to leave.” She realised it when she had to leave Pakistan.
When she stayed here and experienced life in this country, she not only fell in love with Pakistani culture, cities, natural landscape but also with hospitable people here, delicious food and most of all Chai.
She also mentioned mangoes in the list of things she loved about Pakistan, and there is no wonder. Pakistani mangoes, best in the world, are appraised by almost everyone.
She was also surprised by the resilience, strength, patience and hospitality of Pakistani people. During her six month stay in Pakistan, everything bad about Pakistan was faded away from her mind.
She posted these two pictures on her facebook account, taken in Karachi, with caption “Understood”, which shows that she also followed the rules here.
Here’s a screenshot of the note, she wrote on here Facebook profile, in which she describes her visit to Pakistan.
Clara’s post is going viral on social media, and we are all thankful to her for all the love she showed.