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Staged Diatribe in Pakistan 2018
Zain Hasan Khan
Dec 27
I last felt the urge to write after being swept away by the 2018 post-election change in Pakistani society. I was driven by the passion and promise of “change”. As overwhelmed as I was by the response I received, I wasn’t the only one caught up in the wave of change. But I felt it necessary, either to decompress or vent, to have my voice heard. A voice in a sea of millions of people, and I was fortunate enough that a fellow, “adventurer”, who has a following and platform enabled me to do so.
Some months have gone by and I take to my computer again, not sure whether it is in frustration or simply because I feel it necessary again. Many would envy me for being where I am (in New York), for what I have (which isn’t much by NYC standards ), or for just the opportunity I availed. I wrote about how I did not choose this life out of necessity but because I wanted a different life. I am away from Pakistan, but will eternally be connected to it. On one hand, I see actual change, albeit from afar, but on the other, I see the degradation of a specific type of Pakistani; the kind of person I never willingly chose the company of and the kind of individual I prefer to keep at an arm’s length, yet they are my own.
A few weeks back, I saw this diatribe from someone who I assumed to be above the social media vitriol against a foreign individual who has willingly chosen to lead a life in Pakistan. An influential one at that too. Someone who has been embraced by so many, yet this same person also has some of the most venomous critics. Not the raging political loyalists but from a specific band of “educated,” people who desire a modern and inclusive society, crusaders for free speech, champions of minorities, equality warriors.
Imagine a young professional, with a law degree, a certificate in journalism, or something of the sort from a university in Europe, UK or US. She/He had the luxury of servants in Pakistan growing up, an English medium education, exposure to western television, traveled abroad for summer vacations, maybe even did one of those paid-in-full summer programs at a Harvard or Cambridge simply because they could.
It sounds like privilege. They are well read, keep abreast of the new world order, have a solid command over English, and know all the contemporary buzzwords. Now, imagine that person who has the loudspeaker of a Twitter profile. In that sea of millions of ordinary people in a place like Pakistan, these extraordinary people will naturally stand out. They will have a platform. The ordinary, youthful Pakistani aspires to be like them and wish for those same opportunities.
Knowingly or not, these lucky trailblazers have influence. And what is modern-day influence without opinion? Therein lies the problem I see. Everyone has an opinion but what some of these people don’t seem to understand or care for are the repercussions. To me, there’s a difference between imposing opinion vs. giving perspective. What differentiates the two is civility, judiciousness, and tolerance. Two principles that are so elusive in today’s “influencers”.
I looked at this person’s profile and saw the fiery tweets, the raging political opinion, a juvenile meme, vehement support for individual rights (except voicing it from a chateau in Europe), and a complete dismissal of another’s entity and purpose. Sure enough, some of the ordinary, voiceless, loudspeaker-less followers liked the tirades and mockery. Some, of course, chose to dissent but were endlessly engaged in a tweetstorm on who is right and who is wrong. Judgments passed in 240 characters or less.
On these privileged opinion givers, one wonders what goes through their minds. Is it the chase for more influence? The greed? The reveling in chaos? Or maybe they feel they’re sparking a “much-needed conversation”? Regardless of what it is, where does it get us? If one disagrees with another, labeling, insulting, “witty” one-liners, and name-calling is now the default method. Listening to someone, irrespective of their beliefs, is important. It’s more than just important, it’s vital. Core to our values. It’s what we, as Pakistanis were intended to be. We complain about the toxicity of cyberbullying and regression in western culture, neo-colonialism, nationalism, etc., and yet we take from that same playbook. How hypocritical.
Community building operates in shades of gray. Everything is not meant to be black or white, right or wrong. Even if in different contexts, where there is a clear right vs. wrong, dialogue, and not tweets, builds bridges. Our values and strength lies in civil engagement with a fellow human, not in, “Where’s the lie?”, “FFS…”, “… Asking for a friend”, “Top Tweet”, and so on.
When I see the “Pakistani Journalists(/Celebrities)” categories on Twitter, I swim through hypocrisy (not with everyone though) and pray that I never end up like those who think tongue in cheek comments or a popularized, childish GIF prove a point. When we have popularity, using those tactics in a public forum shows how shallow and regressive we’ve become. Responsibility and civility should be at the helm of anyone who wishes to do good, drive change, has pure intentions, and most importantly, has a following.
I am very, very privileged. Very lucky, indeed. I value free speech more than anyone but as much as it has become an excuse nowadays to say whatever one wants, I hold civility, respect, tolerance, and integrity in higher regard.
It’s difficult to make a point when you have those “barriers” — isn’t it? Easy never changed anything.
@django @PakSword @BHarwana @RealNapster @Syed1.
The woke bitches need to be replied in the language they understand
Zain Hasan Khan
Dec 27
I last felt the urge to write after being swept away by the 2018 post-election change in Pakistani society. I was driven by the passion and promise of “change”. As overwhelmed as I was by the response I received, I wasn’t the only one caught up in the wave of change. But I felt it necessary, either to decompress or vent, to have my voice heard. A voice in a sea of millions of people, and I was fortunate enough that a fellow, “adventurer”, who has a following and platform enabled me to do so.
Some months have gone by and I take to my computer again, not sure whether it is in frustration or simply because I feel it necessary again. Many would envy me for being where I am (in New York), for what I have (which isn’t much by NYC standards ), or for just the opportunity I availed. I wrote about how I did not choose this life out of necessity but because I wanted a different life. I am away from Pakistan, but will eternally be connected to it. On one hand, I see actual change, albeit from afar, but on the other, I see the degradation of a specific type of Pakistani; the kind of person I never willingly chose the company of and the kind of individual I prefer to keep at an arm’s length, yet they are my own.
A few weeks back, I saw this diatribe from someone who I assumed to be above the social media vitriol against a foreign individual who has willingly chosen to lead a life in Pakistan. An influential one at that too. Someone who has been embraced by so many, yet this same person also has some of the most venomous critics. Not the raging political loyalists but from a specific band of “educated,” people who desire a modern and inclusive society, crusaders for free speech, champions of minorities, equality warriors.
Imagine a young professional, with a law degree, a certificate in journalism, or something of the sort from a university in Europe, UK or US. She/He had the luxury of servants in Pakistan growing up, an English medium education, exposure to western television, traveled abroad for summer vacations, maybe even did one of those paid-in-full summer programs at a Harvard or Cambridge simply because they could.
It sounds like privilege. They are well read, keep abreast of the new world order, have a solid command over English, and know all the contemporary buzzwords. Now, imagine that person who has the loudspeaker of a Twitter profile. In that sea of millions of ordinary people in a place like Pakistan, these extraordinary people will naturally stand out. They will have a platform. The ordinary, youthful Pakistani aspires to be like them and wish for those same opportunities.
Knowingly or not, these lucky trailblazers have influence. And what is modern-day influence without opinion? Therein lies the problem I see. Everyone has an opinion but what some of these people don’t seem to understand or care for are the repercussions. To me, there’s a difference between imposing opinion vs. giving perspective. What differentiates the two is civility, judiciousness, and tolerance. Two principles that are so elusive in today’s “influencers”.
I looked at this person’s profile and saw the fiery tweets, the raging political opinion, a juvenile meme, vehement support for individual rights (except voicing it from a chateau in Europe), and a complete dismissal of another’s entity and purpose. Sure enough, some of the ordinary, voiceless, loudspeaker-less followers liked the tirades and mockery. Some, of course, chose to dissent but were endlessly engaged in a tweetstorm on who is right and who is wrong. Judgments passed in 240 characters or less.
On these privileged opinion givers, one wonders what goes through their minds. Is it the chase for more influence? The greed? The reveling in chaos? Or maybe they feel they’re sparking a “much-needed conversation”? Regardless of what it is, where does it get us? If one disagrees with another, labeling, insulting, “witty” one-liners, and name-calling is now the default method. Listening to someone, irrespective of their beliefs, is important. It’s more than just important, it’s vital. Core to our values. It’s what we, as Pakistanis were intended to be. We complain about the toxicity of cyberbullying and regression in western culture, neo-colonialism, nationalism, etc., and yet we take from that same playbook. How hypocritical.
Community building operates in shades of gray. Everything is not meant to be black or white, right or wrong. Even if in different contexts, where there is a clear right vs. wrong, dialogue, and not tweets, builds bridges. Our values and strength lies in civil engagement with a fellow human, not in, “Where’s the lie?”, “FFS…”, “… Asking for a friend”, “Top Tweet”, and so on.
When I see the “Pakistani Journalists(/Celebrities)” categories on Twitter, I swim through hypocrisy (not with everyone though) and pray that I never end up like those who think tongue in cheek comments or a popularized, childish GIF prove a point. When we have popularity, using those tactics in a public forum shows how shallow and regressive we’ve become. Responsibility and civility should be at the helm of anyone who wishes to do good, drive change, has pure intentions, and most importantly, has a following.
I am very, very privileged. Very lucky, indeed. I value free speech more than anyone but as much as it has become an excuse nowadays to say whatever one wants, I hold civility, respect, tolerance, and integrity in higher regard.
It’s difficult to make a point when you have those “barriers” — isn’t it? Easy never changed anything.
@django @PakSword @BHarwana @RealNapster @Syed1.
The woke bitches need to be replied in the language they understand
Indeed bhai, its a long fight for the soul of Pakistan, by the grace of the Almighty, good God fearing patriots will prevail.Kudos bhai
