Positive thinking, anyone?

[Tuahaa]

The Dawn Blog Blog Archive Positive thinking, anyone?

“But people in Karachi are still out shopping,” was the bewildered comment a relative recently made as he went around Karachi a day or so before Eid. A recent arrival from the azure shores of the US and having being fed on a steady stream of paranoia which the mainstream media beams to the outside world, people like him seem to think that Pakistan has been reduced to a place where only bad things happen and people die as soon as they step out of their house.

Breaking news is the order of the day and where ratings matter more than true investigative journalism, a permanent window has been reserved on TV for the breaking news mayhem which keeps us glued to our TVs like magnets. It only shows us negativity and we have all become addicted to it, much like the crowd that gathers to observe the gruesomeness of a traffic accident.

So where are the art festivals, the gallery openings and news of creativity in our country? It’s not as if such events are not taking place. What about the restaurants or movie theatres that are still thriving? No question that this country is badly affected by a lot of problems but it isn’t as though life has stopped, or has it?

And no, I’m not just talking about the places that cater only to the elite. I do happen to visit areas other than Zamzama in this city and life hasn’t stopped. Not the shopping or the cultural activities or entertainment. It’s just that the media, whether local or international, never chooses to showcase this side of the nation. Positive, uplifting stories are often relegated to the back pages because such stories don’t sell.

This is why political talk shows are growing like wild mushrooms and shows related to, or about, entertainment are dwindling. As a nation, we are exposed to constant propaganda being spewed from all directions. Don’t get me wrong, the media must be free and although it acts as a good system of checks and balance, it also exposes us to a lot of carnage and news we can do without. Can we also get a healthy dose of the good things happening in the country? Can we project this to our international audiences as well so they know there are people in the country who are still living regular lives, people who are still working, still meeting friends and family, still going to the movies?

So take the advice I gave my naive relative from abroad: there are still plenty of small pleasures that Pakistan has to offer. They might not measure up to what developed countries have to offer, but they are ours and make life a bit sane. Heck it’s a better option then curling up and believing its all going to end tomorrow!

 

[Tuahaa]

Actually, we were meeting some family friends from Pakistan the other day (who came to Dubai for a bit) and they said something quite similar to this article.

"After watching Geo TV, you might truly think there's going to be a bomb blast around the corner. But it's relatively safe and it's great to visit Pakistan... you should come soon"

 

[Spring Onion]

art festivals and games of elites surely are there where fil.thy rich elites' begamats are participating clad in western cloths. Doesnt he check those magazines which are full of pictures of functions be it marriage function, opening of shop by any elite lady or dress desingers' functions with elite women shown hugging other elite males are proudly flashed as true face of Pakistan.

The art galleries and art festivals in Pakistan are not meant for common poor folks.

either open up these recreational activities for all or stop claiming that is the true face of Pakistan

 

[Tuahaa]

^

The reason why I posted this is because all is not lost. Sure, the art bit might be dodgy, but at-least our Pakistan hasn't turned into a barren rocky desert...

 

[Spring Onion]

^

The reason why I posted this is because all is not lost. Sure, the art bit might be dodgy, but at-least our Pakistan hasn't turned into a barren rocky desert...

I tell you for that we Pakistanis and specially Pakistanis from North West aka Khyber Pukhtunkhwa do not need to explain that we are NOT living in caves.

We surely are very much normal people and carry on our life activities.

And surely Peshawar or KP is not falling to militants neither they are near to capture Islamabad.

But yes as far as positive news are concerned media has to focus on that as well.

Recently few months back Swat festival was highlighted and received a good response above all it also proved that People in troubled areas are very much fun loving, art loving and normal people. We are not militants which some morons like Rehman Malik and Altaf party tries to portray most of the times.

 

[jayron]

art festivals and games of elites surely are there where fil.thy rich elites' begamats are participating clad in western cloths. Doesnt he check those magazines which are full of pictures of functions be it marriage function, opening of shop by any elite lady or dress desingers' functions with elite women shown hugging other elite males are proudly flashed as true face of Pakistan.

The art galleries and art festivals in Pakistan are not meant for common poor folks.

either open up these recreational activities for all or stop claiming that is the true face of Pakistan

Pakistan should definitely work on projecting its arts , culture and tourism in a better way to the world. Unless one takes the effort to know about the country , all they will find is negative news in the international media. For example, I haven't seen a single decent tourism video of Pak.

 

[Tuahaa]

@jana

I know

I admire the pathans as much as any other races of Pakistan...

At the last paragraph, the guys said that he gave some advice to the people abroad... I, myself, am an expatriate.

All I see on T.V. is that Pakistan is hell on Earth (but much less so in Dubai than when I was in Australia)... I am very happy when someone complements Pakistan on its real side (complements about Pakistani food are quite common, believe me!)

This article was aimed at expats

 

[Tuahaa]

Pakistan should definitely work on projecting its arts , culture and tourism in a better way to the world. Unless one takes the effort to know about the country , all they will find is negative news in the international media. For example, I haven't seen a single decent tourism video of Pak.

Okay, Pakistan is pretty low on tourism right now, and the international portrait of the country that others paint isn't exactly helping... It's not as easy as 'you must do this', etc...

 

[pkpatriotic]

I tell you for that we Pakistanis and specially Pakistanis from North West aka Khyber Pukhtunkhwa do not need to explain that we are NOT living in caves.

We surely are very much normal people and carry on our life activities.

And surely Peshawar or KP is not falling to militants neither they are near to capture Islamabad.

But yes as far as positive news are concerned media has to focus on that as well.

Recently few months back Swat festival was highlighted and received a good response above all it also proved that People in troubled areas are very much fun loving, art loving and normal people. We are not militants which some morons like Rehman Malik and Altaf party tries to portray most of the times.

Bravo 'Jana'

I really appreciate that, you have portrayed very true picture of current dirty politics of Pakistan...........stupid politicians are trying to throw the nation into the black-hole of ehtnic differences, just for their personal interests.

 

[Tuahaa]

Also, remember that the stuff that media is spewing out to the rest of the world is what sells.

We are truly blessed to have a great country- I only wish more knew about it.

 

[jayron]

Also, remember that the stuff that media is spewing out to the rest of the world is what sells.

We are truly blessed to have a great country- I only wish more knew about it.

I know right? That is why it is all the more necessary to portray the other face of Pakistan. I see these beautiful pictures of Pakistan but I haven't seen a effort by the government to show it to the world.
Sri Lanka was war ravaged but they always had tourism projects running on the side.