In Pakistani politics, typos and factual errors are common. From “Germany and Japan sharing borders” to “kanpien tang rahi hain,” Pakistan has heard it all. Yet, because a well-known author was involved, the most recent blunder attracted not just local but also international notice.
Senior Vice-President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz appears to have pronounced Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho’s name incorrectly. Coelho is the author of several international bestsellers, including The Alchemist.
His name was pronounced “Paulo Coedo” by the PML-N supremo’s daughter during an interview.
“Like the Brazilian author Paulo Coedo, whose works I enjoyed reading very much. The Alchemist and Warrior of Light are two of his works “stated Maryam.
Netizens pounced on the error soon after the broadcast aired.
“Lo g Paulo “Coedo” nawan author aa gya maidan wich,” one user tweeted. You’re all set! Paulo “Coedo,” a new author, has been identified.]
Another one said: Unwind, everyone. The shishtar [sister] @Maryam NSharif you misheard said Paulo Coedo, not Paulo Coelho.
The Alchemist-novelist, in an interesting turn of events, defended the PML-N leader, suppressing critics, because he felt that people were constantly pulling the politician’s leg.
“I make mistakes very often in pronunciation of foreign names, so don’t be critical,” the author tweeted.
The novelist’s message was immediately flooded with comments from the Twitterati, who would not be so easily silenced, updating him on the political climate of the nation.
One supporter of the PML-N leader gave a brief overview of the fact that she is the daughter of a “three times prime minister.” Coelho was cautioned by another to prepare for “PTI’s impact.”
However, several commenters — clearly not fans of Maryam — spewed vitriol against the former prime minister’s daughter and their party, calling them “con-arstists”. Coehlo, till the publication of this story, did not respond to any of the comments.
