Once upon a time, an Englishman decided to visit Pakistan, bringing along his fancy VIP car. As he drove through the country’s diverse landscapes, his car suddenly broke down in a remote jungle. He found himself stranded and worried, looking around desperately for help.
Just then, a Pakistani driver happened to pass by. The Englishman flagged down the driver, explaining in his broken Urdu that his car had broken down and he needed help. The kind-hearted driver got out of his vehicle and started examining the Englishman’s car. However, upon discovering that the car was automatic, he realized it was beyond his expertise to fix it.
“Sir, I can’t repair this car, but if you allow me, I can do some ‘jugaad’ so you can reach the nearest garage in the city,” the driver suggested.
The Englishman, having never heard of ‘jugaad’ before, curiously agreed. The Pakistani driver used his creativity and local knowledge to make some temporary adjustments. To the Englishman’s amazement, the makeshift solution worked, and he managed to reach the city safely.
Later, the Englishman felt like having a drink. He went from shop to shop but every shopkeeper he asked refused, saying they didn’t sell alcohol. Just when he was about to give up, a man who was somewhat acquainted with the local ways of obtaining alcohol approached him.
“If you give me some money, I can do some ‘jugaad’ and get you what you need,” the man said.
Intrigued by this term that had already helped him once, the Englishman handed over the money. True to his word, the man managed to get him the desired drink through some clever maneuvering.
During his stay, the Englishman experienced another unfortunate event – some of his belongings were stolen. He reported the theft to the local police, but despite their efforts, his items were not recovered. A local then approached him with a familiar offer.
“If you provide some money, I can do some ‘jugaad’ and get your belongings back,” the local said.
By now, the Englishman was beginning to see a pattern. He handed over the money, and soon enough, his stolen items were returned to him, thanks to the resourceful ‘jugaad’.
When the Englishman returned to his homeland, the President of the United States at that time invited him for a chat about his travels. Curious, the President asked him about his experiences in Pakistan.
The Englishman replied, “The Pakistanis have a unique way of solving problems. They have this incredible thing called ‘jugaad’ which allows them to accomplish the impossible.”
The President, fascinated by the concept, was eager to learn more. “What exactly is ‘jugaad’?” he asked.
The Englishman explained, “It’s a resourceful and innovative fix; a clever way to solve a problem, often using simple, everyday items.”
Intrigued by the potential of this concept, the President decided to discuss it with the Pakistani Prime Minister during their next meeting. When they met, the President expressed his interest.
“We want something from Pakistan,” the President said. “We want ‘jugaad’.”
The Pakistani Prime Minister, understanding the value and uniqueness of this concept, politely replied, “I’m afraid we cannot provide you with ‘jugaad’ because our entire country runs on it. It’s not just a thing; it’s a way of life for us.”
This story illustrates the ingenuity and resourcefulness that defines ‘jugaad’, a cornerstone of problem-solving in Pakistan, turning the impossible into the possible with creativity and innovation.
