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.
Awesome ;)
I found this picture very annoying due to objectification of a woman’s body. On one hand we take pride in defending our women and on other hand we make money at her expense. What an irony!!
The Ad, is really fascinating; it reflects ‘moderate enlightenment” which even ”daarhi wallas” used to enjoy in those days !
khailte hien shikar pardey mien
daarhi waalon ki daarhian toba !
In this picture, I guess DW’s (DarhiWallas) would be more concerned about what is beyond SHANGHAI – no pun intended :)
http://pakistaniat.com/images/PIA-Ad-Pakistan.jpg
The interesting part is, the world map was so different those days — Beirut used to be a considerably decent place to visit —
and for some reason I don’t see any US destinations at all like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles….
Thanks for sharing!
Hey open minded innovative & modern people,
We need a straightforward divine punishment. Please hold on, an earthquake is on its way.
Good Luck!!!