Promoting Pakistan By Syed Morrowat Ali Shamsi

According to the trends globally, countries are promoting themselves on the social media and you all might be quiet aware of this thing as we see a lot of promos meant to enhance the image of various countries such as ‘Malaysia truly Asia’ and many more. What does this type of advertisements do? They attract tourists which in itself are a good way to generate revenue and boost the national income of the country; a lot of countries rely on tourism and earn a lot through it such as Mexico, Brazil, Thailand and lot more, secondly it also helps to enhance the image of the country.

So why not brand Pakistan? We can highlight varies tourists spots as our country is blessed with so many of them such as our country is home for various mountain peaks especially K-2 this can help us to attract climbers in Pakistan. Secondly, Annual off road rally is held at Cholistan and we can promote it, moreover our government should also try to invest into this event as the amount they invest won’t go in vain, it shall help them in the long run. Furthermore, our country is blessed for with four seasons and our country is homeland for people who belong to varies some of cultures we can highlight them globally. Hence there are a lot more reasons for tourists to visit Pakistan, summing them all up Badshashi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Swat, Gilgit, Tomb of Jahangir, Lake Saiful Muluk, Harrapa, Moenja-daro, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. If we go on emphasizing on each one of them it would take years to explain the unique beauty of these spots, so the point is to attract tourism.

             
If we are going to promote Pakistan on social media we also need to come up with an interesting tagline for it; in order to differentiate our country from others, I have come up with an tagline ‘Pakistan – between the wonders of God’. This type of promotion is required by our country in these sorts of conditions and we as being natives of this country should be working towards it and acknowledge what is bestowed upon us. I AM PROUD TO BE A PAKISTANI. ARE YOU?

   

Author: Syed Morrowat Ali Shamsi

Changing Lines

Changing Lines

It is said that there is a common belief among anthropologists that you must immerse yourself in an unfamiliar world in order to truly understand your own. It was many years ago while I was a still in high school that I first came across these words. For some reason, I found it not only absurd but also very conflicting that in order to understand one’s own world why must one immerse himself into someone else’s.  It was the contradiction to the most common beliefs in these words that kept me intrigued for a very long time. I was taught that if we do not stay true to our values and culture we will eventually lose our identity ending up confused about who we truly however, on this occasion for once someone is suggesting the opposite.

It was not until a few years ago that I had a chance to travel through Europe and North America for the first time and had a chance to interact with other cultures. After spending a while there I could not help myself seeing my own reflection in everything there was to see. For once it made some sense to the statement that had been stuck to my mind for long time. Everything that I was not familiar with was a reflection telling me something about myself, good or bad but there was clearly a message in everything. On the other hand, all those things that I had been taking for granted all my life became the most essential parts of my identity.

This was the unfamiliar world that anthropologists had referred to. What they actually meant by this was that when you compare your world to another is when you clearly understand how better or worse yours is than others. The Pakistani culture is no doubt diverse and rich unlike most of Europe. Everything about Pakistan is unique the history, the cuisine, music, dresses etc. One can only appreciate his own self if he sees if from someone else’s eyes.

Having said so, there are also many harsh realities that dawned upon me during this journey of self actualization. The most appalling is the existence of another culture which lies parallel to our ideal culture. Ideally our culture is based on diversity, tolerance, honesty and the celebration of individuality. However, all these characteristics are a rare commodity in today’s Pakistan. The actual culture is what is actually going on. The very principles of Islam upon which the foundation of this country was laid are now being practiced somewhere else but not in Pakistan. Our society today is confused between two extremes; those who claim to be so called liberals where as they are merely residual spin off to the western civilization and those religious one who are there simply to balance out the one extreme with another. The story of Pakistan was always meant to a beautiful one but it is told in tragic way. The problem is that we never changed in all those years. We never immersed into another world.

Pakistan is not the country that it was when I was growing up in 90s and definitely that it once was in 60s or 70s. Everything has changed now, the population, the life style, culture and media. Pakistan is no more a predominantly agricultural country. Our cities are growing faster than ever before. The only thing that has not changed is us, the people or I would rather say we never tried to change. History is evident that whenever nations accepted the realities of this changing world and adapted them without leaving their local realities, they evolved into something much greater.  

Whether the times are good or not we have to keep changing. Whenever we had good times we never tried to preserve it and when we had bad times we simply accepted it as our fate and missed the good old days. I thinks its time we ask ourselves, are we ready to immerse into another world?

written by:
Mishal Fatima

United Pakistan a better Pakistan

What more can a country demand from its people than be united and face all challenges together as one nation. The point of being one nation dates back to 1947 when Quad e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah took the initiative of dividing a line between the identities of the people living in the subcontinent at that time. Due to that decision we are now living in an independent country still having those issues which are detoriating the political situation of the country.

These issues have to do with the geographical differences between people. at the time of creation of Pakistan the issues were more on the religion bases but now the tables have turned. the issues now have become internal meaning geographical. people living in Lahore don't respect the values of the people living in Peshawar. There are a lot of cultural differences that need to be sorted out before its too late. Sindhis think of themselves as superior to Punjabis. These differences are always there no matter how much we ignore them. the only reason behind the resolvement of these issues is the betterment of the country. Pakistan has a lot to offer to this world. the products, that are made here are of high quality. Examples would be textile, tobacco, rice, sports goods etc. just because of these issues people are killing each other and a negative picture is being portrayed outside.

It is this criticism that has lead to a great number of killings of pathans in Karachi. if we just think for a second and stop differentiating between the people in our country we are bound to reach success and victory over anything would be inevitable. One nation, one country is simply making Pakistan better in an economic way. these days another point is being raised in the provincial and national assemblies of Pakistan about making the Bahawalpur district in Punjab a new province. This province would include all the Siraiki speaking districts of the older province Punjab. I think this is again creating a new barrier between the people of Pakistan. Pakistan does not need provinces it needs to make its people more stronger and united. Unity is very important in this matter. provinces make cultural differences and especially in the case of Pakistan where there are language barriers cultures are most likely to change. According to me, this new province is a waste of time and money. our political leaders should decide on the opportunity cost for this province which is likely to be a lot as Pakistan is in the stage of development and if appropriate amount of money is spent on the country it can achieve and set new standards of development. Pakistan needs a heavy investment in the production of basic resources which are electricity and gas. our political leaders should be bold enough to think on practical terms and actually benefit the people rather than dividing them into categories and just increasing the number of ministers. 

Author: Haseeb Alam Durrani

Role of Fashion and Film Industry in Pakistan

Twentieth century warming has lead to increase in the moisture holding capacity of the atmosphere. Few changes in the global rate may have a greater direct effect on human well-being. Pakistan is the third world country and is not that established that we can afford fashion as our daily life.

If to move with today’s world we have to follow the fashion, changing our culture and beliefs. Its human nature that we always want change in our life, even if we talk about Pakistan you would see a change too. Talking about the Pakistani fashion industry, the designers are now in international market and they feel very proud. Talking about the film industry, it has taken away the investors from Lollywood but the flourishing fashion industry is bringing it back. The people related to fashion industries and film industries should promote the entertainment inside the Pakistan which would definitely boost up the economy level of Pakistan. 

These two industries of Pakistan can play a role in current economic situations and they can spread Pakistani culture and traditions to other civilizations across the border instead of adapting their culture and norms. These factors can entertain Pakistanis and also enrich the atmosphere of society as well as assist the progressive culture of society.


By: Maham Anjum

The way out!

Unemployement is on the rise in Pakistan with an increase in population and a fall in our domestic industry.
A rise in this trend has not only increased poverty, but frustration in the minds of people. And not to forget, our brain drain.
Pakistan's brain drain from 2007 increased by 6.2%.

Masses tend to blame the Govt. for less job opportunities and lack of resorces. Many compare Pakistan to developed countries like UAE,US or UK without keeping in mind there history- and forgetting Pakistan is a third world country.

Unfortunately, majority of our youth has been brought up as "corporate slaves". They are taught to dream as being a "manager", an engineer, a doctor or any other profession working for a multinational business. The maximum one dreams is to own a honda or a mercedes once they are selttled rather than owning a fleet of cars and luxury apartments.
The point where we lack is "lack of innovation and entrepreurship".
The mindset of people against business and entreprnuership is, they are not ready to take calculated risks- or  think there qualifications won't meet the need of the business environment.

Unfortunately in our society, a degree or a qualification is given far more importance than one's own persnol growth, skills and upbringing. Entreprnureship is the only field, Pakistan should tap right now since it needs to degree or qualifications except for being a good analyst, speculator and a manager. The ability to make good descions and tackle difficulties.

Another misconception about starting a business is "there are no shorcuts" or a huge amount of money would be needed to start a business- but there is no concept of starting a "small business"- maybe just a street hawker is as much as an entrprenuer as Mian Mansha, who owns Nishaat Mills is.

Entreprenuership is the only feild where there is no limit to one's growth. It extends to all fields and all spheres, and is just an idea away.

Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker and businessman once said:

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.

Written by: Rafay Salman Mazhar

Email: rafay.salman@facebook.com

Pakistan passing through critical phase

Pakistan is passing through a challenging phase causing a negative impact on the country’s economy due to variety of issues including worse state of social sciences, medicine systems and energy crisis. I believe we must take time out for an accurate diagnosis. In Pakistan our best students “traditionally” chose to study either medicine or engineering. Here, the low wages for social sciences means that social sciences are not very valuable and productive; all we need to do is to change the minds of the nation.

A person in Pakistan cannot easily afford all the resources provided so we should also concentrate on improving sciences, technology, prices and infrastructure as the route to the poor people. The poor health of social sciences is an extremely serious problem. Moving towards the system of medicine, 70% of the population of Pakistan still depends on the complementary and alternative system of medicine.

Culture beliefs and practices often lead to self-care; the traditional medicine center has become an important source of health care, especially in rural areas and tribal areas of Pakistan. Solving these issues regarding the betterment of Pakistan is a high priority and our approach to the solution will significantly  impact the future of Pakistan.

by: Maham Anjum 

To a better Pakistan....Cleaner Pakistan

We talk about progress - we talk about changing the world, we talk about changing our idealogy, but in a world where we ourselves cannot take action - where would we find the strength and the unity required for change?

In a country where you cannot walk two streets without spotting some sort of mess on the side of a road - or maybe next to a dumpster... where you can be rest assured that throwing a juice box or a soda bottle out of your luxurious car won't earn you a fine - progress can only remain an illusion.

A nation's power stems from its people, and Pakistan's reality is that it is racked with filth... not the filth that is contained within the hearts of its inhabitants but the filth that surrounds us 24/7 - this is something that the people of Pakistan can take proper action on but refrain from doing so - only because it seems a trivial matter to minds that are apparently capable of bringing about a wave of much more influential change, ironically however ignoring the first thing that gives off the impression of a powerful country - it being a neat and clean abode.

 

People ask – what can I do alone as one man? What difference would one man make? But Rome wasn’t built in a day, an army isn’t formed in one minute and surely a nation can’t be saved in a matter of seconds. It requires the united efforts of all sectors of society – it requires the personal efforts that extend from the very confines of our own home... taking out the trash in a proper manner than in the way we do now. Maybe refrain from throwing junk out of our car windows, have garbage trucks regularly make trips to make sure the trash isn’t lying around... stop oneself from throwing everywhere around the trashcan and try throwing garbage inside it. Not only that but one can also assist in picking up the trash from the roads and streets – it’s our home, we need to take action. A little action spurs a chain reaction that reverberates through generations at times. A spark can ignite a flame – so even if you’re alone today, you’ll be leading a group of trendsetters tomorrow.

So get to it – to start toward an alternate Pakistan, a better Pakistan... a CLEANER Pakistan!

 

Start implementing or Jehanzeb Noor Uddin will eat you alive!

 

PLAY YOUR PART. By: Hiba Mazhar

It was a fine Sunday morning ruined by the visit of my father’s cousins from abroad. Before I knew they were going to pay a visit, I had planned to spend the day at home studying for my Marketing quiz. They wanted to visit the Shalimaar Gardens and as an order from my father, I had to be their tour guide. I had no idea what to do about my quiz’s preparation. Being an obedient daughter, I drove my guests to the historical garden.

Culture and Changing Trends

Stepping in the garden filled with beautiful old walls and trees, we were mesmerized by the view of more than 400 fountains rising from the canal and the basin which threw up water back into the marble reservoirs. It is one of the best preserved Mughal buildings standing as it was for the last 400 years. A line of fountains in a water channel stretching  a long way making the sounds of nature more soothing to the ears, we were in a very peaceful aura. The care-takers of the gardens told us that the fountains go through a full maintenance program before every Spring. We all went crazy over the place and started taking loads of pictures. The passion for photography at one end and the exploration of ancient beauties at the other, It really was beautiful.

Being a Pakistani citizen, just try and play your own individual part. Blaming one another is the easy way out. You are only answerable to your own deeds. These buildings need a lot of attention. The maintenance costs are increasing and the government revolutionaries refuse to allot the justified share to this side. A little contribution towards this cause can make wonders. I am doing my part by writing this article and informing you about a breathing view you might want to experience. Why? Because I want our next generation to be lucky enough to see it. ARE YOU PLAYING YOUR PART?

-Author: Hiba Mazhar.

Revival of Culture and Arts?

While most of the nation are sharing their opinion over the fact that how media has a major influence in changing our Cultural trends not many have noticed the efforts of those who have helped in keeping our cultural  vein alive. The fact that organizations such as Rafi Peer theater  Institute for preservation of art and culture, Kuch khaas have been working hard to revive music, arts and culture, in a country that has lost its entire sub continental ethos; is going unnoticed. These organization have been working for a long period now, emphasizing on our Sufi roots and bringing in puppeteers, artists, talents from all across the globe with hardly any support from Government or any other authority. While being alleged of creating poison in to the minds of our society for bringing in dances, music and festive these organizations have brought platforms too many of the famous artists known across the globes. Speaking of culture, our nation has one of the most diverse societies. Inside these cultures we had amazing Sufi poets like Waris Shah, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai etc. These organizations helped promote their compositions, their poetry and thought provoking saying that has been passed on for ages. These compositions were experimented many times and the songs have also been performed in the modern pop genre as well. These associations have given their immense support to the young talents of Pakistan by providing those platforms to express their abilities in theater  music, poetry and even puppetry.

The question to be asked is that will their effort be every noticed by the masses of Pakistan or will they always be ignored and considered as a part of society alleged for influencing the general public negatively. These people have worked their entire life for the upbringing of entertainment industry in Pakistan (Rather what is left of it). They need to be supported and appreciated for keeping us in touch with our own cultural identity.

The Conflict Between What It Is and What It Should Be..

The Conflict Between What It Is and What It Should Be..

The day Pakistan came into being as an Islamic Republic on the 14th of August 1947, the country has been undergoing a state of transition. The society of Pakistan is dynamic and therefore it is ever changing. Its patterns are transforming from time to time. No department of life – be it economic, cultural, religious or recreational – has been free from the effect of this great transformation in progress.

If I talk about my society, consider the sorry state of our morals where even the day designated to express love for the Prophet turns into an occasion for  looting, burning and killing. The natural disasters that have occurred in our country have not brought in any sort of changes in our humanity but in fact we've become more professional buglers. There is a common thread in all these behaviors that we have. Our notions of right and wrong have been scrambled long time ago. Our moral clock is set at a different time and we've lost social order. We are in a state of confusion about values and ethics. Therefore its true that we lack the ability to control our society's reactions towards the change, we've forgotten the difference between what is right and what is wrong.

 We describe ourselves through different tags ('shia' 'sunni' 'villager' country man' 'modern' 'paindu'), its a shame to say, but we're not united. The sectarian differences are very much prevalent in our society, every individual in the society considers himself to be on the top. Shia sunni conflicts, conflicts to earn better, conflicts arising on something that's superior. To say it in a nutshell we've become more of the materialistic nature, we believe material things will lead us to the top. Material aspects of culture are its technology, instruments of economic production, consumption and household goods. Non-material are beliefs, values, norms, laws, symbols, religion, literature, arts and folklore, and morals. For example, a car is an item of material culture but it carries with it non-material norms of driving skills, traffic rules and ethics of road behaviour. Pakistan’s traffic chaos is a symptom of its lagging non-material culture.

Socially and morally, we're not the nation that we were in the past, For example Pakistan is no-more an agricultural country. We have become an urban country with most of our population living in the urban areas.  Pakistan has taken to material modernization readily. The cellphone culture has boasted in the past few years. The households in villages are now laden up with the high tech technological items such as TV's, DVDs etc. 

However after all the changes, we're still the same. The human nature hasn't changed to a positive side but a negative one.  In times of rapid cultural and social change, the balance between material and non-material aspects of culture is breaking down. Here lies the dilemma:  Pakistan’s material culture is modernising but becoming more extremists which is against islamic values. The result is that the values and norms that we adopt, offer little guidance leading us to  a state of moral conflict. This situation yields in a cultural shock drowning the values of Pakistani society. 

This situation is indeed very disturbing and solid steps need to be implemented on a regular basis by our government to preserve Pakistan’s cultural and moral values. And chalk out the reasons that are creating confusions and disparity among the people.  

 Author: Nabeeha Gazelle Amer

Anum Aftab

Scrambled Notions

Let’s not loose the roots of our identity. Cling onto them before it’s too late. 

It seems like Pakistan, as a country has lost its essence. The very foundation of this country was "La Illaha Il-Allah" but with the growing cultural adversity due to outsourcing of TV channels it seems like we've lost that innocence we possessed. A country that was once just a boundary on the map is now the centre of every main headline. During the past ten years, Pakistan has become a totally different place than what I remember of it at least…

Culture is embossed in human psyche to direct individuals’ feelings and actions. Material aspects of culture are its technology, instruments of economic production, consumption and household goods. Non-material are beliefs, values, norms, laws, symbols, religion, literature, arts and folklore, and morals. We are in a state of confusion about values and ethics. A crack runs through Pakistan’s national and regional cultures, which requires us to review our unconcealed assumptions about culture and society.

Socially and culturally Pakistan is not the country that it was in 1947, 1960 or in the 1970s and 80s. It is no longer a predominantly agricultural country. Almost every rural household has one or more members working, studying, and living away in cities. Despite grinding poverty for about a third of the population, materially and economically Pakistanis are three times better off now in constant per capita income than they were in 1947. Pakistan has taken to material modernization readily.

In May 2011, Pakistan boasted 118 million mobile phone subscribers. Even videos and the TV-smashing Taliban have no hesitation in using cell phones, western medicine, FM radio stations, dollars and rockets. Similarly, motorized vehicles have transformed even in the village life where agriculture has been largely commercialized.

In Pakistan, something more is happening. Its culture is not only lagging but is actively moving towards orthodox Islamic mores. Here lies the quandary: Pakistan’s material culture is modernizing and non-material culture is Islamising. Islamisation in Pakistan has been a process of inventing traditions. Islamisation cultivates notions of right and wrong based on women’s segregation, religious observances, sexuality, personalized evidence, retributory justice and demonstrable piety. Yet, urban living requires impersonal organizations, trust of others, women’s participation, and freedom of expression, individual rights, empirical logic and transparency. The result is that the values and norms that we espouse, offer little guidance for the behaviors necessitated by our material and urban ways of living. We are in a state of moral conflict.

The divergence between our lived culture and imagined culture is turning into a gaping chasm. Islamisation of narratives has diverted the public discourse and channeled social energies into reinforcing the imagined culture. It diverts us to moral discourses that do not conform to the lived reality of our urban livelihoods.

Pakistanis urgently need alternative narratives that may compete dialogically with the orthodox Islamic thought. But it is not just the narratives that will bring the imagined culture in line with the lived culture. There has to be social movements for tolerance, rationality, freedom to think, cultural diversity, and gender equality. It is not an easy task. It will take the form of long drawn out influence and political struggles in streets, schools, the media and homes for the Pakistani mind. It has to begin by wresting the self-assumed ‘Fatwa’ authority from the Mullahs.

By: Anum Aftab

Change in culture through Language

Change in culture through Language
Category : Culture and Changing Trends

How the language used by people in Pakistan has changed can be said to be both humorous and tragic. Whether it is Urdu or English, it seems we cannot use a language without ruining it and tearing it to shreds.
Urdu, our national language, is considered one of the most beautiful and expressive languages in the world and yet most of the time, when you hear someone speaking in Urdu these days they chew up half the letters and at times even entire syllables of words. A pleasant salam used to be the generally accepted greeting. Somehow, nowadays, greetings aren’t ‘in’. I’m not going to say much about Urdu. This is because phrases such as ‘kya scene hai?’ or ‘kaisa hai boy?’ have led me to believe that our beloved language is now in danger of extinction. For me to start pointing out where we lost Urdu does not require a blog, it needs an entire book!

Now please allow me to hit out at the English speakers. Right, I’m referring to all those people out there that are ashamed of speaking Urdu because speaking in English just makes them sound so much ‘cooler’. In fact, I believe the official terminology used to describe such people is ‘mummy-daddy’ (I won’t even start with everything that’s wrong with that term). How English lost its way is a much simpler task to assess when compared to Urdu. Firstly, we can blame our own efforts to be cool or to try and fit in. If other people start using slang, then we probably should too. People may have forgotten that the word slang actually is an abbreviation for STREET language.

And then there’s instant messaging. ‘Lol’, ‘brb’ and ‘tc’ are just a few of the commonly seen abbreviations found in a typical instant messaging conversation. Now there probably is no need for me to tell you what any of those stand for as it is understood that EVERYBODY knows what they mean. That fact, in itself, serves as a pretty good indication of how far this decay has spread through our society. One may argue that, fine, there is nothing wrong with using such abbreviations or acronyms since it is just instant messaging. What bothers me, though, is that a lot of people actually use the abbreviations in verbal conversations as well. Is this what we’ve come down to? Have we actually become too lazy to say  complete words? At this rate, soon enough a normal conversation between two people could end up with them just spitting out random letters at each other only for it to make complete and absolute sense. Try and save your national language  , as it is our duty to secure our language and speak in it with a pride .

Lets hope we can find a way to solve this growing problem.

Pakistan Zindabad

Writer

Misha Razzaq