Adil Najam
There was a time when PanAm was the biggest and most fascinating international airline in the world. That has changed quite some time back. And so, it seems, has Pakistan. The subject of this fascinating promotional documentary made by PanAm in the 1960s.
Given the Japanese narration, it seems that PanAm was trying to lure Japanese tourists to Pakistan. Right there, an interesting notion.
I do know that Karachi was a major stop in PanAm’s long-haul flights and I assume this is related to that. Although it does seem that the documentary is focusing on much more than just Karachi. So much in the video is so different from what now is. But so much is also so much the same.
I find the footage absolutely fascinating at so many different levels, even though I cannot understand the narration. Maybe a Japanese speaking reader can help us get a gist of what is being said?
@ Naan Haleem .. Well said !
This may be nostalgic to some, but to me today’s Karachi, even with all its problems, is so much more vibrant.
@ Saadia
Lets not jump into the extreme too quickly or mullahs would have a fits :-)
or how to handle the screw ups by our own naives. Always have a plan B ready.
I know what do you mean by bikinis and you have explained it as well. We have to feed them the baby steps, obviously they have,nt gone out much.
@ Naan Haleem, you wrote: “…can you please explain how many dollars of foreign investment should we expect in response to a picture or a video of a bikini clad lady on karachi beach?”
O trust me, it would bring in lot of money. What you dont seem to understand is its not just women in bikinis, its the idea of a free society where humans can not just survive, they live their life according to what they believe in…not what is forced on to them. Mullah do what mullah do, and “MY COMMUNITY” does what it does without anyone interfering with others business!
P.S. Naan Haleem, please dont stop writing, what are we going to do without your enlightening posts? ;-(.. j/k i know its mean but you left yourself wide open for this attack
@ Saadia
Well you guessed it “absolutely rightly wrong” =P. I dont make strong judgements very easily. Since I live in a western country for past some years, and have analysed ( and experienced to some extent) the culture and lifestyle that I have come to such conclusion as reflected in my previous post.
I was not too much of a devoted muslim while i was in Pakistan and neither I claim so now. It is only after having extensive discussions with members of several faiths (and some atheists too) covering a moderate range of geographical and cultural backgrounds, that my faith in OUR VALUES have become stronger. So I dont need to brag about my allegiance to the religion as it has come to me rather than imposed upon me. And I pray the same for you.
As far as the economic concerns you show, can you please explain how many dollars of foreign investment should we expect in response to a picture or a video of a bikini clad lady on karachi beach? Could Dubai (with its Heavenly beaches and hotels as per western standards) retain investors following the recent global crisis? Could Thailand do the same in 1997-98?
The real problem of Pakistan are the federalists who practically control the whole of the society. They breed politicians, bureaucrats, generals and industrials and never allow legislation for the interest of common man so as to safeguard their benefits. Since independence, these lords of their respective lands have used multiple options to subjugate masses living in their area. Deprivation of infrastructure and basic human rights has been their strategy and the term of Mullah has been used as a scapegoat to conceal their heinous agenda.
Living in Karachi or Islamabad, none can understand this reality but it is hard fact that people of Pakistan are deliberately kept poor for the interest of elite class. The feudals themselves appoint and feed so called mullahs in their constituencies to keep illiteracy and immaturity thriving among masses. The so called champion of modernization, Gen. PM had to rely on these feudals to remain in power and thus all the NABbed ones were ministers in his regime.
On the point of suicide bombings, even the western colleagues in my institute believe and openly discuss that Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban are different communities. They know that Afghan Taliban were created out of resistance to instability in that region following US departure in 90s and today are resisting US occupation. but they say that Pakistani talibanization sparked as a revenge for drone attacks but very quickly taken over by forces with vested interests. The mission is to cripple the pakistani economy and society to the extent that Pakistan always remain a faithful subjugate in return for peanuts.
One can argue that it was inevitable for Pakistan to indulge in the War OF terrorism (or war for oil), but Turkey refused and is prospering. Even Bangladesh refused and still has a much greater economic pace than Pakistan. No need to mention that Mullah-ism is much more widespread and strong in Bangladesh. It was only after the clean up of corrupt elite that Bangladesh is experiencing economic boom even in times of global crisis.
So my dear rather than being fed with garbled propoganda, think with open mind and concentrate on breaking the taboo of feudalism. The rest will automatically be resolved. Even if you dont need them, my prayers are with you.
PS. this is my last comment on this post