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Indian scribes feel the presence of Big Brother in Pakistan
On Friday, some Indian journalists suggested to an intelligence sleuth they were ready to ride with him in his car to "save" taxi fare.
India-Pakistan relations may be on the upswing, but Pakistani intelligence agencies keep a close tab on the army of Indian journalists in Islamabad to cover the 12th SAARC summit.
If an Indian journalist leaves his hotel by car or taxi, one or more intelligence operatives are bound to follow him in their own vehicles.
The journalists are, however, spared the ordeal if the Indians' destination is known or if Indian diplomats or Pakistani officials are accompanying them.
The only two Indian journalists based here are used to the never-ending Pakistani surveillance. But clearly there are not enough Pakistani operatives to keep a tab on all the Indian scribes now in Islamabad.
On Friday night, a group of Indian journalists suggested to a Pakistani intelligence operative that they were prepared to ride with him in his official car so that they could save on taxi fare.
"Why don't you take us along," asked an Indian journalist, much to the operative's shock.
Not surprisingly, the offer was politely rejected.
