Pakistan's ad in Wall Street Journal on 9/11

[muse]

Muse, complex problems cannot be properly explained, let alone resolved, with simplistic solutions. I would argue that complexity of Pakistan's position on the situation in Afghanistan and the 'multiple bad guys' some of US point to when trying to advocate change in Pakistan reflect the complexity of the problem and an attempt to understand, define and analyze the problem from all its aspects.

Undoubtedly complex problems seem to require complex solutions, however, this is not what we are talking about - what we are talking about is creating a public awareness around which we may build a consensus -- and this requires that we articulate the problems and solutions in a way in which the general public can get a grip on.

When we deliberately, purposefully confuse people by pointing to meaningless particulars, as indeed some of us, particularly you, have chosen to do, it leaves open to question, as to why you would prefer that the people of Pakistan not clearly identify who the enemy is, and why they are the enemy.

 

[President Camacho]

A blog on WSJ:



Pakistan’s officialdom is proving reluctant to take responsibility for dreaming up a half-page advertisement taken out in The Wall Street Journal last weekend to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

One Pakistani government official said the idea for the ad came from the army’s public relations division, which has been keen to counter the U.S.’s contention that Pakistan continues to harbor Taliban militants.

Brigadier Syed Azmat Ali, a spokesman for the division, denied the army was behind the idea and said it was the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting who came up with it. The Information Ministry did not respond to questions.

The government official said the army pushed the idea through the office of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, which then passed it on to the Information ministry.

Attempts to contact a spokesman for Mr. Gilani were not successful.

The official said a number of people in Pakistan’s government questioned the ad, saying it was a waste of money and would make Pakistan look as if it was berating the U.S. on Sept. 11. (A half-page ad in the eastern edition of the WSJ, where Pakistan’s ran, costs some $38,000)

The ad was created by Midas Pakistan Pvt. Ltd, an ad agency which has worked with the military before, the government official said. It was not possible to contact the company through phone numbers listed on its website.

The Pakistan army also attempted to place the ad in the New York Times. A spokeswoman for the newspaper said the newspaper had asked for the ad to more clearly state that the government of Pakistan was paying for it.

The Times did not hear back from the ad agency that placed the ad and has not yet run it, the spokeswoman said. She declined to name the agency.

A spokeswoman for the Wall Street Journal said the newspaper does not comment on advertising.

 

[muse]

Midas officials need a giant boot up their backside

 

[Kinetic]

So it was the army behind the ad! lol What they think about Americans and the world? Not a good way to please them.


Who Was Behind Pakistan’s 9/11 WSJ Ad? -The WSJ Blog

thsi is the ad

On the eve of 9/11 publishing this ad on a US newspaper was really bad taste! Specially that big pic of BB. When the than Pak army chief Musharraf was linked with her killing.

Benazir Bhutto assassination case: Former CPO changes lawyer to delay indictment – The Express Tribune

 

[VCheng]

Midas officials need a giant boot up their backside

Fair point, but the agency merely draws up the advert based on what the client wants to project, and usually it is from many options that the client selects the final choice that is run.

 

[VelocuR]

This ad look like cheap and hard to read with font styles. I know, people have mind in their questions asking us: "How come OBL hiding in mansion near ISL" This ad didn't explain at all. It gave more bad impressions.

If replacing Benazir Bhutto (front side) for our dying Pakistan soldiers pictures, you know the American people don't care about our soldiers or innocent civilians. This is maybe first time. Again, we have to expose this ads everyday in all states of USA in thousand times. It will likely to change
their perspectives and views.

We haven't inform Americans public yet. Do it thousand times. At least, Ads should say "DRONES must stopped by your own government killing other world"

 

[President Camacho]

To have the losses of the Army and the people of Pakistan acknowledged by the Americans, the ad simply needed to write that Pakistan too is a victim of same terrorism and acknowledges the loss incurred by the Americans.

Solidarity is a two way road; pointing fingers and showing utter lack of empathy by shouting out (biggest words in ad were "YOUR PEACE") completely unsympathetic words are more than likely to fetch similar reactions from the other side. It is only common sense.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Hmm.. Not too sure.. The cartoons were the work of an individual for a target audience that didnt get offended by them and were not intended to generate positive and sympathetic feelings in Muslims

Surely you realize that there are Muslims resident in Denmark, and surely you realize that the subsequent republishing of those cartoons by many other Western outlets to 'make a point', was done precisely to send a 'message to Muslims opposed to the cartoons'.

The analogy is therefore apt.

This advert on the other hand was Pakistan Govt's attempt to blow its trumpet around its efforts in WoT and to mold the US public opinion..

The advert is an attempt to counter lies, propaganda and smear campaigns by the US media and Establishment - were they to back off, there would be no need to do this.

 

[VCheng]

....................

The advert is an attempt to counter lies, propaganda and smear campaigns by the US media and Establishment - were they to back off, there would be no need to do this.

Like I said before, it will take more than just one advert to achieve what the stated goals are. I hope there is proper follow-up planned as well.

 

[fd24]

Like I said before, it will take more than just one advert to achieve what the stated goals are. I hope there is proper follow-up planned as well.

Unless the ads are for free i think it will be just a one off event mate

 

[karan.1970]

Surely you realize that there are Muslims resident in Denmark, and surely you realize that the subsequent republishing of those cartoons by many other Western outlets to 'make a point', was done precisely to send a 'message to Muslims opposed to the cartoons'.

The analogy is therefore apt.


The advert is an attempt to counter lies, propaganda and smear campaigns by the US media and Establishment - were they to back off, there would be no need to do this.

Ok.. So it seems that the purpose of this Advert as you understand is different from what I understood. It seems, that in your view its more of a confrontational step to tell USA to stop lying and to compare the USA's loss of 3000 as against Pakistan's loss of 30,000. And hence the choice of 9/11's tenth anniversary date for running this advert. If that floats the boat, then so be it. Its still absurd but surely not demented.

Somehow everyone was talking about this being an advert of solidarity and hence with that objective in mind, I viewed it as the powers to be having screwed the pooch..

On the cartoon, its a stupid comparison really.. comparing an individual exercising his freedom of expression vs a govt taking out a paid advertisement to blow its trumpet / challenge USA's lies

 

[VCheng]

Unless the ads are for free i think it will be just a one off event mate

Well, advertising campaigns are expensive, the WSJ ad alone being $38k. If it is a one-off, the message it is intended to convey will be drowned once more.

 

[Windjammer]

Even the Americans dropped leaflets over Afghanistan portraying OBL & Co. as the devil and America as a friend and saviour of Afghan people..... ten years later, the collateral damage dump bins are still over flowing and Uncle Saving Grace is on the verge of calling it a day. History is repeating it'self as the situation is none better than as it was after the Soviet withdraw. Pakistan can't be held hostage if God forbid another 9/11 situation descends. Pakistan did well to put it's cards on the table, no matter in which manner.
If the Ad is being milked here for two days now, imagine the impact where it was intended for. Rest assured, it may take a while but it will sink in.

 

[Soumitra]

As a marketeer I would like to suggest some changes in the Ad.
1 Which country can do more for world peace
2 Since 2001 a nation of 180 million has been fighting a relentless War against Terror
3 In the post it notes write 200,000 troops deployed in frontline, 90000 soldiers fighting on Afghan Border, X no. of militants killed, X no. of terrorist attacks foiled etc.
4 Instead of "Yet the war on terror goes on" write "Despite many hardships faced" Give just 2-3 stats - the number of terrorist attacks, No. of civilians killed, 68 billion loss
5 Remove Benazir's picture - This is not an election campaign poster
6 At the bottom panel a white banner proclaiming "Pakistan - A partner for world peace"

 

[great]

'Promising Peace to the world' haa..I hope they keep their promise.