Where is Taliban when you need them?
Posted by عمار - aMmAr | Posted in Cricket, Pakistan, Politics, Social and Politics, Weekend whining, videos | Posted on 11-04-2010-05-2008
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1998 was a very eventful year in the history of Pakistan. That year Pakistan became a “nuclear power”, same year Pakistani rock band Junoon was touring India. The year proved out to be doubly eventful for the rock band when a political statement from bands lead vocalist Ali Azmat got them banned in Pakistan. In his statement Ali condemned the nuclear tests by both countries and denounced the nuclear proliferation in Subcontinent. Coming from a rock musician the statement sounded quite reasonable but Nawaz Sharifs previous administration took it quite gravely. The ministry of information of that time not only banned Junoon or popular music of any type but ensured that nobody appears on the national television wearing jeans (WTF?)
Looking back everything changed since 1998:
· Ali Azmat is bald now, Nawaz Sharif is not.
· Abdul Qadeer Khan, once our national hero is now (somewhat) controversial.
· North West Frontier Province has a new name.
· Jeans is no more the symbol of liberalism but expressing your love and admiration for the neighboring country (Hint: Aman ki *beep* Aasha) is now considered as liberal and highly fashionable. And by neighboring country I don’t mean Afghanistan here 
But one thing that took the country by storm is Pakistan’s FREE mainstream media (cough *mafia* cough). Free media was General (retired) Musharraf’s only democratic gift to this country. The same gift took his beloved wardee and Government away from him (You too Hamid Brutus Meer?). Today, media is fast becoming the most powerful entity of this country. They freely exercise the power to change election results (Hint: NA 55 elections). They can take a non issue and make an elephant out of it and vice versa. But apart from the political circus, toppling of democratic or military governments, Pakistani media right now has the power to decide what is morally correct and what’s not which makes it more dangerous than it used to be back in the military days of Zia.
Back in the day, it was mandatory for any actress appearing on the national TV to wear Dopatta on her head. Apart from the Government, self appointed moral police (Jamat e Islami and other religious parties) were out there forcing their version of Sharia on very Pakistani soul. Even today, one can easily witness Taliban apologist journos and TV anchors defending terrorism by labeling it a reaction of military attack. But when it comes to commercial interests ; where is media’s moral or religious stand? For the past two and a half week every Pakistani news channel is acting like a gossip girl. Glorifying a love affair and portraying it as a matter of national security.
We all have witnessed the TV anchors crying their hearts out on how President Zardari is harboring all the Presidential powers and not sharing it with the Prime Minister as he should. How he is no different from the military dictator Musharraf when it comes to balance of power. But what happened when the amendment took place? Sania / Malik scandal made headlines and the historic bill got minimal air time. There is no age rating on any of the the TV programs, which means that an individual of any age group can view any TV program despite from its impact on their minds.
I might sound like a right winger here but do you think that its morally okay to glamorize a scandal where a young man secretly marries than divorces a woman whom he met on the internet for a tennis star who appears more attractive than the first girl? And not only glamorizing the scandal but showcasing every dirty aspect of this crappy affair which involves abortion, betrayal, moral and ethical corruption? Has any responsible media person ever realized, that for the lust of high channel rating they are exposing young minds to moral corruption. There is not a sing quiz show or educational program on any of the popular channels. Educationists and entrepreneurs who make achievements dont make TV appearences or headlines. There is no positive news or image to follow for these young kids. The popular source of information for Pakistani teenagers are these TV channels where the only national achievement that takes maximum air time is a lousy celebrity scandal.
I wonder why Jamat e Islami or TTP didn’t say a word against this absurd media behavior, why not a single moral fatwa was issued? Why no news channel was threatened for playing Indian movie songs in the middle of a news bulletin. Where is Jamat e Islami and their moral police? Where is Taliban when you need them?!
Popularity: 61% [?]
Media displays whatever the nation is interested in. Our people are watching Indian movies on our own TV channels, in our own cinemas, Indian songs by our own Radio FM hosts then what is so awful if you listen to the same songs on few TV channels (here few means all channels except Islamic TV channels). This Tennis-Cricket love affair is being discussed at every home and even in office gossips so let it be publicized on media. Here question is not about Jamaat-e-Islami but there is some issue with our own people. We should realize what our culture is and what our values are. At least think where we are heading?
I agree with most of what you say about the Sania- Shoiab affair.In fact I am surprised that more people who are genuine Muslims are not bothered by the ugly events that preceded this marriage.People who are bothered about the size of Sania’s skirt were not worried about the bad name this marriage, denial and talaq was bringing to Islam and women’s right in Islam.I read and watched a lot of Pak coverage on this affair and it was sad that apart from a few women analysts nobody talked about women rights.Ayesha was ridiculed, one reason could be that she was an Indian woman and was not considered worthy of respect. The other reason could be that one sells only what sells.I would like to add that Indian counter parts were no better, most of them sensationalized the issue and made fun of Ayesha.There were some sane voices on both sides of the border.
Why was this marriage so important? There are lots of important issues to be sorted out in our part of the world!!! The bride and groom are not even going to live in their prospective countries and not even intending and pretending to do something for the region.
Sorry! long comment.
I hope you did not mean Iran by the neighbouring country remark. Can one wear jeans there especially if they do not have a pee pee?
I finally got to read a thoroughly interesting post that reflects my thoughts after a long long time
Good job on this accomplishment ammar
Taliban are probably busy in making another jannah for themselves!
I agree with your views completely. Sania is a fool to marry a cheat like Shoaib. Though it seems that Ayesha got the last laugh with the crores she got from Shoaib for the divorce.
I agree with your views completely. Sania is a fool to marry a cheat like Shoaib. Though it seems that Ayesha got the last laugh with the crores she got from Shoaib for the divorce.
First of all, nice to see my old visitors back on my site. Welcome back Prerna, Odzer and Asma
@UK: Media control our thoughts and its not the other way around. How many of us like to hear some pleasant news for a change but do we get to hear any? Despite the fact that every Pakistani is doing some achievement every day.
@Prerna: I personally find the whole episode a spectacle. Ayesha or her family happily became the part of the charade. The dilemma of our region irrespective of what religion we follow is that we use our respective religion for our convenience and when needed.
@Odzer: I am sure you will be surprised that there is no restriction in Iran to wear jeans, irrespective of gender.
@Asma: I am glad that you agree with my views and fancy em as well
@Zahara Ditto!
During Shoaib/ Sania’s next visit to Pakistan, I will ask Taliban to hug Shoaib and end such “Kharafaat” once and for all.:D
this got lots of attention precisely because it was a distraction from the real political issues and the ‘free’ media/mafia sold it to use so as not to focus minds on mr zardari and company. Shame on us all that we allowed it to work so well
I agree you Ammar.