Adil Najam
PIA print advertisement from the 1960s (Originally uploaded by PakPositive.com which is a blog that highlights the positives aspects of Pakistan).
Let me continue with the ‘Image Pakistan’ theme in choosing the picture for today. I find this advert for PIA absolutely fascinating; both for what it says about how PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) saw itself and how it saw Pakistan (or wanted Pakistan to be seen).
Was this the reality of Pakistan before theso-called ‘darhi wallahs’ took center stage? Or was this ‘image’ of Pakistan as much out-of-sync with the reality of what was Pakistan then, as the image of the bearded-gun-totting-bomb- throwing-jihadi-Pakistani is today?
Speaking of ‘image’ and ‘brand’ the Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP) has recently launched an initiative on the subject and held a thoughtful and thought-provoking event on he subject in New York on June 3. I was asked to moderate part of the program, and found the discussion to be mature, reasoned and reasonable–something we should have more of.
PIA wanted to portray what the ‘Roahsan Khayal’ Govt of that era wanted it to show. (Was PIA working out of Govt influncne then? ofcourse not).
It was Ayubi martial law. What freedom was there? So what I understand is these ‘tactics’ were nothing more than experiments (by an illegal govt) to test the limits of average public tolerance and to keep them away from democracy. It backfired then as it will now (can you see the similarities?)
Pakistan has to develop its unique identity. Copying west will not help. Have pride in yourslf.
Religion, morals, culture, freedom, society… oh my! This is an incredibly complex issue and I am not even going to try to offer any solutions or conclusions.
I would like to share some observations though:
1) Freedoms/liberties have their limits. They are fine as long as they are not harmful to other members of the society. Definition of harmful is of course decided by each individual society. I can argue that images such as this PIA ad can be harmful to the society, and that’s the same point a “mullah” would make.
2) A lot of the folks here have made the argument that religion is something personal. We should not try to impose our religion over others. That’s a noble idea. However, Islam is a deen and not just a religion. In it’s true nature it should govern all aspects of our lives, including the government. So how is it supposed to be just a personal thing? It just doesn’t work that way. (Would a non-believer be allowed to post an ultra provocative banner outside his shop at the Zainab Market, or sell alcohol in public at Tariq road?)
3) The photo is only as provacative as we think it is. Sex/skin is such a taboo in Pakistan. If it wasn’t, nobody would care and I wouldn’t be writing this reply. It seems the West is over this and perhaps it’s better that way? May be Pakistanis should get used to a little more skin and get over it already.
4) It’s fascinating that so far very few of us have mentioned that the photo in question is just simply against the teachings of Islam. Women are only supposed to show their face. And a tank-top is definitely out of the question. There should be no debate about that. And since we are all Muslims, except for Steve, why are we even debating this? Is anyone here saying that hijab is no longer necessary for Muslims?
5) I am a confused Pakistani, and likely, so are you.
I am not sure how pertinent is the slogan “Pakistan ka matlab kia……”. But certainly the creation of Pakistan had nothing to do with this slogan. How can you expect it from a bacon-eating and whisky drinking man to go for this slogan and enshrined with a separate state.
Showing more or less skin is not the point here, the point is making forward looking country that should be free of bigots. A country that could tread the successful civilization’s path. Where the ‘iman’ of mullah should not only focus on women’s apparel and let honest, straight forward and clean thinking prevail. Are we really so naive to acknowledge what our youth thinks and does? The do every thing what a youth from a ‘liberal’ country does, just they do it in clandestine way. When they are asked they lie. Simple. Thus we create hypocrites who watch blue-films and say Friday prayers regularly. A sex starved society where the only purpose of Internet is to see porn. Look at Google search Trends, Pakistan is top of the list for searching word ’sex’ followed by ten other Islamic countries. Height of frustration! A country where character is judged by your biological behavior and not by the honesty and truthfulness of the individual.
Turab i concur with u on this!!
u shud read islam the basic message is “togetherness” how wud u achieve it when one says one an the other facing the other direction?thats the message or the media has infused in us that religion an politics are 2 diff things and its ur own individual thing!its totally rong islam has thrieved propelled with poilitics with science and this is wat a hidden fight agianst islam that its impracticable its very practical juss showin women on posters wont help chage or propel society or make women equal to men!its the constructive efforts that will do it! women shdnt be made a peice of advertisement as depicted by the poster whoch juss showed 2% of the women in pakistan an taht too that have a lil knowledge of mainstream pakistan!
AWAIS the religion should between and individual and GOd and no one else has the right to implenment religion on the other… as deen mien jabar nahien hai. You are not answerable for others on the Judgment Day. So check yourself and keep yourself in balance!
peace
[quote comment="958"]I have skimmed through the comments on this post. It is my view that this ad is in no way “exploiting” the woman in question. The very first thought that hits my brain upon seeing this ad is how stunningly beautiful the model is. From a business standpoint, it is excellent advertizing considering the originality of the commercial, plus the fact that the airline’s tagline was “The most relaxing way to fly”. This and other commercials like it are not exploiting women. On the contrary, they are celebrating women. A woman is the beautiful side of humanity, the more loving half of humanity, the more deserving of freedom. Why force every woman in the country to lock herself up or cover every inch of her skin while out in public? If your mother, sister, wife etc does not want to be “indecent” then by all means let them live as they wish. But to say that this is offensive is partisan. Its only a tank top. How does a tank top cause even remote offense unless you are a bigoted, self righteous, self appointed guardian of morality? I am not flaming any person who posted here, but the zealots who tear down billboards bearing the images of women in Pakistan.
I am perfectly okay with my girlfriend, wife, mother or daughter appearing in any commercial she wants to. Why should somebody else impose his ideology on her? The bottom line is that liberalism and tolerance mean that you live others live the way they want to, even if it is against your own beliefs. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it. Don’t force your religious ideas on me or my family please. This ad would not appear in the press today because of the religious constraints. That is why I believe this ad is such a symbol of Pakistani liberalism.
As for this ad being an accurate representation of the 60’s Pakistan, from what I have heard from my mother/grand mother/father about old school Pakistan, it is at least semi accurate.[/quote]
Actually this is the first time I have visited this particular site while searching for some other web site on google.com.
I just want to comment on this. Actually Pakistan is a Muslim country and it has nothing to do with liberalism. People shouting slogans for liberalism are actually not practising muslims. They do not have any aim of life and also do not know which path is the right path for them.
Islam always emphasize on HIJAB for women. And the picture about which we all are talking is somehow does not fullfill this criteria.
And if someone says that he or she does not mind that his or her family members go for such modelling, is a very wrong kind of attitude. On the day of judgement when we will be asked for what we have done in this world, that time we will also be asked that how we guided others related to us in our life.
For example if my sister is going out in public in such a dress that is not permissible by Islam and I am just watching and not acting in a way that I should. Not communicating to her that this is not Islamic. And not stopping her to act against Islam then on the day of judgement I will also be penalised for it.
People making comments against Islamic teachings in any way, either you take it as liberalism or freedom of exprerssion, this is not a right way to comment.
I am a Muslim and I know how to act in Islamic way. And in my personal opinion this picture is not Islamic and should have not been used by any Pakistani company.
Thanks & regards
Awais
Even with their beards (which is a rarity comparatively), the christians and jews are technologically advanced and posses a constructive, competant, and progressive mentality, unlike our “bearded” mullas who still live (and wants others to live) in mediavl age.
[quote comment="944"]how ironic, when a chiristian pastor or a jewish has a beard, they are not called with names such as mullah or fundamentalist… but when a muslim decides to follow the path of their beloved prophet (PBUH) they are instantly turned into terrorists or fundamentalists… how ironic… isn’t it… especially when our own people has such views for us, to whom are we suppose to blame it for… May Allah Bless us all with wisdom… Ameen[/quote]
@all
hey take it easy guys,wot got published was history try not to practice or allow these kinoff pics to be published nor let thm b the trend makers…i hope its clear to u all as u’r quite mature enough to understand the theme of islam:)