Pakistan turned 60 this month and one would assume by now it would want to settle into a life of comfort and ease. But as the retirement age increases in most countries, so does Pakistan’s determination to stay in the game. In fact, it may be better to compare it to a hard headed fifth grader who has just moved to a new school in a tough neighbourhood where it gets teased, has its lunch money stolen and its pants pulled down but still shows up to school the very next day (this time with a belt holding up the pants and a knuckle duster in its hand).
Pakistan is going through growing pains (hard to believe at 60, but true). It is still deciding what it wants to be when it grows up. There’s a tug of war between those citizens who would like to see Pakistan as a liberal, modern and dynamic member of the world community, and those who see such a future for the country as a major threat to the values they believe will lead them on to the true path to salvation.
This very conveniently ignores the vast majority of people who are neither liberal nor extremists. They are conservative when it comes to social and family values, but at the same time are working hard, putting their children through school and trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Real concerns
This is supported by numerous surveys which show that the most important concerns of citizens in Pakistan are inflation, unemployment and lack of basic services, not war and politics.
Extreme elements use the name of religion to gain the sympathy of these very citizens and spread fear and terror in order to achieve their goals. Events such as the Lal Masjid, or Red Mosque standoff and the recent spate of suicide bombings have the greatest impact on local shopkeepers, school children and simple, hard working people, especially in the tribal areas. And yet, these extremists and their actions do not represent the hope and aspirations of the very people they effect the most.
This is what makes Pakistan famous these days – and not for the right reasons, unless you’re aspiring to be the American president or a suicide bomber. This is what makes the headlines in the international press because lets face it: bad news sells. This is also why most people keep the country off their ‘places to see before I die’ list.
There is a lot else happening in the country and fast, whether it’s the lawyers’ movement or the growth in art and design, music, literature or film and shopping malls. Even the economy has never done as well as it has in recent years. Unfortunately, in this highly charged environment these things tend to fade into the background.
Let’s start the talk
There has been a massive boom in the media. Every day one hears of new TV and radio channels, magazines and newspapers. Of course there are teething problems with editorial policies and ethics but the important role the media is playing in society can’t be ignored. Simply put, people are talking. Regardless of what their values and beliefs, they are talking to each other. They are fighting on talk shows and discussing these issues in editorials. This is something that we have never seen before: all viewpoints are now coming face to face. And it is not just the media that is highlighting these issues but music, cinema and the arts are doing their part as well.
Recently, a group of Pakistani musicians came together for the anti-terrorism song Yeh Hum Naheen (This is not Us), giving the message of peace and urging Muslims around the world to stand up and show that they reject terrorism. At the same time, Khuda Ke Liye (In the name of God), a Pakistani film portraying the struggle between fundamentalists and liberal Muslims, is being screened in packed cinemas around the country.
Pakistani cinema has been on a downwards spiral for a long time, and films such as Khuda Ke Liye are an exception, and are being seen as part of the effort to revive the art.
Music, on the other hand, has taken off. There are local music channels promoting local stars. There are concerts and private gigs with musicians coming together and creating incredible music fit for international consumption.
I went to a concert where hundreds of girls were screaming, jumping, dancing, singing as their parents stood next to them enjoying themselves thoroughly and looking as if they were about to start screaming and jumping any minute as well with not a care in the world.
This is us
Of course, such differing scenarios in the same country can be confusing. So one Friday, I asked my journalism students at the university I teach at in Lahore what was the one thing that was worrying them the most right now. They were all quiet but looked at me with a kind of sadness and seriousness one would not want to see in the eyes of 19-year-olds. And then from the back of the room came a soft but strong voice – “Are you really going to give us a test on Monday?”
As I gave them a wicked smile and a nod, I realised their fears were not as bad as I expected. Every country has teenagers wishing they didn’t have an exam on Monday, just as every country has liberals and conservatives and extremists, moments of despair and triumph. But it is up to us, the citizens of these countries, not the politicians, to make sure that we remember the real face of our nations – not the face of terrorism and war – but the hard work, the ambitions and dreams, and most importantly, the fun. It is this face of Pakistan, which keeps me optimistic about the future.
(The author is a lecturer in the Journalism Dept of Lahore University)
Standing up to test
Countries which laugh together, stay together, finds Rekha B Dixit
Pankaj Saraswat was almost mobbed when he visited Pakistan a few days ago. And he loved the experience.
Saraswat, programming head of Violet Picture Company, was on what has almost become for him a routine trip across the border, to audition candidates for his trailblazing Great Indian Laughter Challenge Show on Star One. “The show is extremely popular in both countries, and you should have seen the crowd that turned up,” he says.
India and Pakistan have shared a lot together, most of it being a politically-driven hatred for each other. In recent times, they’ve shared the humiliation on the pitch of their favourite sport - cricket. But now, the neighbours are also learning to share a few light moments, swap a few jokes and laugh together.
Are laughter shows on television the new ice-breakers in a relationship that has been strained at the best of times? “I sincerely hope so,” says Karachi-based Kashif Khan, a contestant on Star One’s laughter championship, and now a judge on Sony TV’s ‘Comedy ka Badshah, Hasega India’. “Hasee to ilaaj-e-gham hai (laughter is the best medicine),” he adds.
But others are wary. “People shouldn’t be reading too much into these efforts,” points out Saraswat. “Our aim is primarily to entertain. Of course, if it helps thaw relations, it is indeed a bonus.” He, however, is quick to point out that the two countries have always shared a common culture, outlook and are even united together by language. The tension has always been at the political level, not at the level of the common people. So solutions also have to be sought at the political level, and not bank too much on mass entertainment.
Vipul D Shah, producer of ‘Comedy ka Badshah’, which has a special segment called ‘Mahasangram’, where the Indian team is pitted against the Pakistani one, agrees with Saraswat’s sentiments. “Reaching out to tap Pakistani talent was purely a resources-driven enterprise. In Pakistan, the stage is very vibrant, and stand up comic acts very popular. So it made sound programming sense for us to tap established talent from across the border. And since we had so many contestants, we went ahead with the ‘Mahasangram’ segment.”
For the artistes, too, it is access to a bigger platform that’s the driving force. “These channels are beamed across the world. Appearing in such shows, we are able to reach homes in the US, UK, the Gulf and South East Asia. It’s such a great opportunity for us,” Kashif Khan notes.
As for improving relations across the border, Khan says, “That will come with time. When they were newly formed, both countries were like demanding babies, crying over what they couldn’t get. Through their teens and later, they’ve behaved predictably, quarrelling, trying to grab what they wanted. Now, as they mature, their outlook will, too.”
It’s not as if the shows haven’t had their tryst with trouble. Last June, a litigant Jitendra Solanki, dragged Star One to court over a stand up act by the Pakistani duo Ali Hasan and Irfan Malik, which he said was offensive to women and certain castes. A few weeks ago, there was drama on the sets of ‘Mahasangram’, when judge Rakhi Sawant was accused by contestant Albela of bias towards Pakistani participant Sultan. “But these issues happen all the time, it’s almost an occupational hazard,” says Star One’s programming head Harsh Rohatgi. “Anyway, that case was withdrawn.” Adds Khan, “In competitions, these accusations are bound to be made. It’s part of the game, and should be forgotten after the game is over.”
So do producers plan to replicate the success of the laughter competitions with other shows too, say Antakshari, song and dance competitions and quiz shows? After all, every channel claims to be flooded with showreels from enthusiasts not just in Pakistan, but also the UK and US. “We really can’t say at this stage,” says Rohatgi. “Laughter shows were easy because the talent pool was already available. But who knows, if we find enough interest and talent for other shows in Pakistan, we might just.”
Yeh hum nahi: saying no to terror
In Pakistan they are as famous as Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake, with 60m album sales between them, and their first musical collaboration has had 65,000 downloads and been number one on MTV. But the pop stars on one of the biggest Pakistani records of 2007 are not singing about young love or broken hearts, but terrorism.
Yeh Hum Naheen, (This Is Not Us), has become an anthem for Muslims wanting to distance themselves from extremism and violence. One of the singers, Haroon Rasheed, says: “People are associating Islam with terrorism, we are all being tarred with the same brush, and it is time we stood up and said no, this is not who we are.”
The song’s success in Pakistan has much to do with the lineup - Haroon, Ali Zafar, Hadiqa Kiani, Shafaqat Amanat Ali, Strings and Ali Haider have a huge fanbase. In Britain, where 43 per cent of the Muslim population is of Pakistani origin, the record is on the playlist of Asian radio stations and cable music channels.
Project coordinator Waseem Mahmood, a 45-year-old author and media consultant, says: “The mullahs and hardliners will not be listening to this because they think music is forbidden. But the hardliners’ voices are the loudest. It is time for the moderates to stand up for themselves.” Yeh Hum Naheen started when Mahmood decided to combat growing puritanism in Birmingham’s Muslim community after one of his sons was criticised for eating western food and the other sent home from Quran classes for wearing a Sonic the Hedgehog T-shirt. He approached leading musicians to take part. “It was a bit like Band Aid; nothing like it had ever happened in Pakistan,” said Mahmood.
The Guardian
THIS IS NOT US
Hamarey Naam Say Phali Howi Jhoothi Kahani Ha
Yeah Mohrein Mouat Ki….. Mathay Pay Gharoun Ki Nishani Hey
Hamein Jis Naam Say Tum Jantay Ho….Woh Hum Nahien
Humein Jis Ankh Say Tum Dehktay Ho….Woh Hum Nahien
Yeah Hum Nahi, Yeah Hum Nahi, Yeah Hum Nahi, Yeah Hum Nahi,
Jaisay Sham Atay hi Koi Rasta Bhola Bathay
Andhairo Say Daaray Itna Kay Hum Ghar Hi Jala Bathay
Yeah Kya Charo Taraf Urti Howi Ryigani Hey
Hamarey Naam Say Phali Howi Jhoothi Kahani Hey
Yeah Hum Nahi. Yeah Hum Nahi, Yeah Hum Nahi. Yeah Hum Nahi,
Gira Bathey Hai Rastay Mein Sabak Hum Sath Rahnay Ka
Humay Ek Dosray Say Isliya Bhi Lag Raha Ha Daar
Who Koi Aur Hain Jin Kay Taray Hataoo May Chehray Hain
Tumhara Duokh Samandar Hey….Hamaray Zakham Ghairay Hey
Hamarey Naam Say Phali Howi Jhoothi Kahani Hey
Yeah Hum Nahi. Yeah Hum Nahi, Yeah Hum Nahi. Yeah Hum Nahi.
(Lyrics by Ali Moeen)