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.
I will send the abstract of the thesis to the website once it is final. It will eventually also be in the UCLA system. Thanks.
PIA was the first asian airline to fly the big jets and was competing with all the major airlines of the time. Sadly now it is only an airline for the ethnic Pakistanis and no matter what marketing miracles the management conjoures up with kenyan and japanese hostesses etc. it will not change the way the world looks at PIA.
PIA need to come to the truth and concentrate on this ethnic market.
The news that the high flying team of PIA were refused an audiance with the European Community Airworthiness Authorities who have banned some of their airplanes from flying in their airspace is to say the least SHOCKING.
PIA has refused to accept what the world is saying that their airplanes are unsafe ………..hope there is not accident or major incident and PIA beefs up their maintenance
Sultan
Steve G., where can we take a peek at your thesis? Just in case we need to burn its copies. Just kidding. Good luck with the thesis.
Dear friends, I am doing my Masters thesis on the evolution of identity in Pakistan and this website is now something I visit every day, many times, to see first-hand the discussions Pakistanis have with themselves. I have been a silent observer all along, but I finished my final draft yesterday and wanted to write in to thank you for being such a great place to peep into your conversations. Thanks.
Fascinating. Having been raised under Zia, I couldn’t imagine this coming out of Pakistan.
Needless to say, am highly ambivalent about the use of women’s bodies - still, it is an interesting sign of those times.
Back after a while. Good to see you guys are growing and doing well. This picture seems to have become icon and symbol for this site. It is striking. I do not think this is real Pakistan. But there are many Pakistans and all types should exist together. WHy should this version replace other. Or any other version replace this.
[quote post="96"]ignorance[/quote]
Yes it’s really ignorance when one mix polyethism with monotheism and assert on a statment. The topic was about PIA and it was converted into to pagans and Islam and gods. I wouldn’t say further to make this topic further off the topic. That was my mistake that I had forgotten that you were same person who once was giving me lecture about secularism on other thread by equating it with a religion.
“Where ignorance is bliss, it’s folly to be wise”