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.
That is a good find, Suleman.
In normal times this would have been just ‘an interesting but eerie coincidence’ that this is what an old PIA ad looked like. In teh climate of paranoi today, the fear mongers will try to instill all sorts of fears and intentions and conspiracies behind this. For my own sanity, I find that the best way to deal with those who would do so is just to ignore them.
Well here is an image posted on the net, with over 500 hits on digg.com so much for the image of Pakistan and PIA being associated with 9/11 , although absurd, but that is another image. The pic is from 1979. check out the link here
I love the image. I dont see anything that would be vulgar in anyway. In fact it seems pretty decent. I want to remind the people of Pakistan that our country was founded by Jinnah not Bin Laden. Nothing can/should change that fact. Also I’d like to request our sisters to come forward and “take control”, the nation needs you today more then ever before.
and no one will stare; however in Pakistan, even with a hijaab and abaa, men just won’t stop staring. That in itself, is more of an incentive to cover than not to.
Because people in west get sex easily?what else?still we hear so many crappy things tht women are abused by different means in that region.
I can only encourage others to do a good deed, not force them – I think that’s what this discussion is about.
The discussion is that individuals should do respect of the culture of the country where they are living.Thats what my othe fellows said above.In India women cant wander in biknis like west.
There is no coercion in religion
Absolutely wrong example here.That verse is all about that I cant force a christian to become a muslim.Read 2:256
There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing
This verse doesn’t mean that if a muslim is drinking alchol then I shoudn’t stop him and you keep your lips sealed.
@Adnan Siddiqi: The culture we are touting in media. This competition we’ve started to place Pakistan in the global market with an “image” that does not reflect the true “Pakistaniat”. If you read my comment again, I never said it was an accurate portrayal of Pakistan, then or now.
I don’t like it when people use Islam as a shield, a cover of any sort for their own shortcomings. Islam is perfect, Pakistan is not, so let’s keep them separate. Personally, I believe in covering oneself, but here is the strange part – in Western countries, you can go out wearing next to nothing, and no one will stare; however in Pakistan, even with a hijaab and abaa, men just won’t stop staring. That in itself, is more of an incentive to cover than not to.
When people say it’s a personal choice for a woman to cover or not, I think it’s digression from the rulings of Islam to not cover her body as ordained. I can only encourage others to do a good deed, not force them – I think that’s what this discussion is about. Qura’an itself says: (interpretation of meaning) “There is no coercion in religion”, so who am I to do that?