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In Pakistan, reporters covering underground parties push boundaries
"Not cool. Parties are not this shady and not that big a deal and our country is not as screwed up as depicted...
"Not cool. Parties are not this shady and not that big a deal and our country is not as screwed up as depicted here.” PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI: Women in short skirts and men with gelled hair, among others, are really upset at being ‘misrepresented’ in a recent article on Pakistan’s party scene.
“Yes there is illicit smoke. Yes there is alcohol. Yes men and women dance together, but this doesn’t mean you can write a report clubbing a Taliban commander’s viewpoint with those of us who like to party…To do so is to frame the story in a ludicrous narrative of extremes. You’ve made us [Pakistanis] look bad yaar,” says one Lahore-based party goer who wishes to remain anonymous.
Rapper Adil Omar who was quoted in the article is similarly angry at how he has come off in the story.
“I have been grossly misquoted in a Reuters article. My management/legal team expect an appropriate rebuttal and apology,” tweeted Omar, adding that, “No, the woman I have tattooed on my arm is not half naked… [She] only has exposed shoulders.” Omar went on to state that he was not wearing baggy trousers, but was instead donning a traditional kurta on top of jeans.
Numair Shahzada, now notorious online for being the “this is just epic” bobbing-head guy from the report in question is livid, tweeting that, “The writer has portrayed the Islamabad party scene in such a vulgar light.” “She makes me sound like a blubbering high idiot. This interview took place at Mocha. Not at a party. I don’t appreciate this,” tweets Shahzada. “Not cool man. Parties are not this shady and not that big a deal and our country is not as screwed up as depicted here.”
Creeping conservatism
While most Pakistanis abhor the Taliban’s violence, there are many who share their beliefs (but perhaps don’t wish to partake in terrorist activities) – particularly on online comment communities such as The Express Tribune’s website. The original article published online garnered over 100 comments, many of them bashing the ‘liberal-western-secular-nudist’ culture that commenters felt aptly captured the ‘malaise’ that has ‘infected’ Pakistan’s elite.
“Islam should be our guide force…we should enforce Islamic punishments to end this evilness…and we should start tableegh in all elite schools” said one angry commenter.
“They are sons and daughters of our brutal, blood thirsty ruling elite,” said another.
“This is the other side of extremism!” said yet another.
Lonely liberals
Despite the conservatism sweeping through Pakistan thanks to military dictator General Ziaul Haq’s drive to Islamise the state in the 80s, an online voice or two still bravely dared to ask:
“Man… how do you get into such parties?”
Serving as the ‘voice of reason’ to a debate spinning well beyond the original report, Tribune Blogger Faraz Talat weighed in saying, “It’s their money, their bodies. They can sing, dance, wear miniskirts at their own party places…it is nobody’s business. Unless they’re pouring booze down my throat, it really doesn’t concern me.”
Spinning yarn
Whoever said journalism is a stab at narrating the truth will be disappointed to learn that ‘spin’, particularly in ‘soft’ stories about fashion events or dance parties is not just the norm, it is enforced, often vigorously by editors who demand the same under the seemingly legitimate banner of ‘colour’ and ‘balance’.
Nowhere is this truer than wires stories emanating from Pakistan, where the emerging fashion scene is planted jarringly against the backdrop of terrorism; where dance parties are amped up to be an ‘underground scene’ but a stone’s throw away from an irate Taliban commander.
Balance, it seems, equals exaggerated doses of two extremes juxtaposed against each other to give the reader fantasy, and farce.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2012.
Reader Comments (60)
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The bottom line: Poor Journalism??
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Attending parties is not extremism, as some people suggested in the previous article. Party-goers don’t force you to attend parties, they don’t threaten you to start attending parties, they don’t kill you if you stop attending parties or if you ‘dare’ to speak out against them. Furthermore, attending parties does not make you a liberal, or an open-minded person. Not all party-goers belong to the elite. If the parties were more inclusive and less secretive, you can bet that your urban middle class youth would be eager to attend them.
Conservatives should stop worrying that parties will lead to a downfall of society and country. UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Malaysia, Indonesia and many other countries have a much more ‘colorful’ party scene and they seem to be doing fine. If you don’t want to drink, smoke, dance, then by all mean stay away from such gatherings, but please do not force others to conform to your sense of morality and propriety.
Keep calm and carry on.
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hopefully mullahs never know
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If its not bad, then why they feel ashamed of it? even they know its bad but they are now exposed. The point is not of being party goers or not, the point is being hypocrite about it.
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Rock on! I wish if the writer had gone through the underground party scenes in Saudi and Iran. It would have changed his paradigm. Let us live.Recommend
This piece is as pointless as the one before it, on parties. There’s much more to cover in Pakistan ET! Stop looking for cheap publicity.
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Both pieces are EPIC examples of Journalism.
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“Balance, it seems, equals exaggerated doses of two extremes juxtaposed against each other to give the reader fantasy, and farce.” <= THIS is poetry, man! lovely article … partay on!
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Haha …Guys you really trusted Reuters, the western media? Think Again; think Pakistan! Still got time, revert back and save Pakistan first, party later.
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This is also extremism! What TTP are doing is one form of extremism and that partying, alcohol, drugs and per-martial sex is just another form of extremism!
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You should send a message on twitter to @MichaelGeorgy1 he is the head of Reuters in Pakistan, the quality of the article was really bad.
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*In reference to the various news reports of this kind, readers ought to keep in mind that these are written for an international audience as an ‘eye-opening’ look at Pakistan. Since we have a non-existent tourism industry, people overseas who may never have visited here or met or befriended any normal Pakistanis tend to think it’s a nation of backward crazies. Yes, these kinds of reports are both naiive and condescending in their approach, but here’s what’s particularly irksome about them:
1. The word *”underground” used to describe a private event.
2. The term “anti-Taliban” to describe socio-cultural occasions that have everything to do with our tying to live normal lives and NOTHING to do with our trying to defy extremists (read some international reports of Pk fashion weeks to get an example).
3. Exaggerating details for effect, like calling knee-length skirts “mini-skirts” and irresponsibly attracting the wrath of fundos.
Keep in mind that news reports tend to go through several editors who might have made changes to the original, so don’t blame everything on one writer.**
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Can Express Tribune ever write news articles on anything other than Taliban and liberal burger-bachas of Islamabad? How about just catering to news demands of the 99% ordinary Pakistanis for a change?
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Reporters assigned to cover such stories should have the appropriate background. Recommend
@Zalim Singh:
You worry too much about thing that do not concern you. Parties are nothing new. Been going on for decades…………….. not that different from today.
………………………………
But good on part of Pakistanis stepping up and taking it easy & rejecting the extreme view
with which they were grossly over projected.
Except for a handful of things, if you are not a Pakistani, you wont know a whole lot …
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There should be proper background to cover such kind of issues or stories wtever called..
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Live and let others live !! Pakistanis should worry about things like electricity, water, education and healthcare.
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“What TTP is dong is one form of extremism, and partying is the other extreme”…
Seriously? Killing, blowing up schools, bombing mosques, beheading is as extreme as dancing to music?…
Am I the only one who feels this comparison is absurd ?
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Wait a second, now. Why is anyone whose view is even remotely Islamic termed a Taliban? A Muslim point of view is not that of a Taliban’s. And yes, all THIS kind of partying is condemned in Islam, but then again so is short sleeves, nail colour and make up, bare heads and so on. We do that, don’t we? I don’t see anyone pointing out people carrying out prohibited acts that have become socially acceptable. Then why must we point out those who like to party?
Remember that on the day of judgement, we are all going to be answerable for our OWN deeds, not on behalf of someone we saw dancing semi-naked at some party. For God’s sake, throw away this mentality people. If you don’t like it, don’t do it. At best, stop your family and friends from doing it; don’t go about preaching every other person, because it’s none of your business.
Yes, I hope for guidance, for myself and for everyone else. But till then, once again, live and let live, people. Stop poking your noses where you aren’t needed.Recommend
@Mj:
religous extreamist and liberal extreamist feed off each other, one generates more of the other and vice versa and the moderate will get squished in between. Would you raise your family either in the midst of religous (so called) extreamists or liberal (so called) extreamist? you probable answer would be no
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We aren’t as shady as anam potrayed.. partiying isn’t extremism whats wrong with these lot?
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@tnt: ashamed? No one quoted in the article is ashamed of anything — they’re upset at being misquoted or misrepresented.
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How many people have died due to drunk driving by people who got drunk at such parties?
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How sad liberalism is defined so narrowly (as freedom to party, drink and free sex) by some of the people here. There is so much more to it and we are loosing out on the real things to justify the hedonism of a few.
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I always wanted to know, how does one get into such parties?
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There is so much more to write about than this crap !!!
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So it hurt feelings, say sorry Reuters. It is about time that Pakistani elites should realise that no one gives a damn.
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i am really surprized that there is underground party in pakistan. i thought pakistanis as they claim are the pure muslim .
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You guys should see the treatment that Reddit gave to the original story.
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Why are we obsessed with their parties anyway? Unlike Taliban, party-goers are not enforcing their beliefs or values on anyone. Just leave them alone; their sins are their own, not their bashers’. They’re not partying in public, so it shouldn’t even be news.
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When PTI comes to power, all extreme parties like this one will be eradicated within 9 days:-)
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@DevilHunterX:
Hmm, quandary. How many people have died as a result of Mullah/Taliban supported extremism?
I personally don’t care much for extremes, but if people wanna party (like myself on occasion) then I couldn’t care less. The fundamentalists walking around with explosives are actual cause for concern. Cheers!
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@Mj: I don’t mind or care about what other people do. What I cannot stand though is hypocrisy. If you party, don’t hide the fact when it’s time to get married. Be truthful about it, which is seldom the case. A lot of girls and guys completely change their attitudes when it’s time to get married and act as if they never partook in such activities. I believe that this is a breach of trust. If I don’t like to drink alcohol, have physical relationships with others etc. then I don’t expect to marry someone who has done.
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The question is you have seen how may bomb blasts in Masjids and Shirains and public places..but did you ever heard any bomb blast in this kind of clubs or parties or fashion shows? way the Taliban always chose the places where we think are the holy places, way they never attack those places which are far away from the Islam?
It means that those Taliban are in whose favour?.
Ihe rest is not easy to remove out the country now…it is too depend, it may need a very power full leadership (may be some one like khomaini) which is not not possible in Pakistan.
Allah Bless Pakistan…
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Should we really care about who does what with their lives? If people want to do this, let them. Who are we to judge them over this. Who knows, they might enter heaven before us :/
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“While most Pakistanis abhor the Taliban’s violence, there are many who share their beliefs (but perhaps don’t wish to partake in terrorist activities)” ….. share Taliban’s beliefs? Lol, that’s a nice way of making peaceful Muslims look bad.
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But I think we changed the sub-continent in the name of Islam 65 years back, THIS will change the nation’s thoughts, n everything, this is like being someone who does not believe in any religion. But we have a religion, the best religion Islam, and Islam does not allow us to attend such parties. And some one said “Maikhanay me dudh bhe piyo to Sharabi kehlai jao gay”
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Pakistan was created in the Name of Islam and Soldiers like Me are Dyeing Everyday trying to Protect its Identity. I joined the Army for a Pakistan which was Islamic Modern and Balanced thats Why we are Fighting a War in Tribal Areas. Parties like these make me Wonder if the Blood of martyrs has been used in Protecting the Right People. I feel Ashamed..!!!
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The main point is that does your religion allow these kind of parties or not, if you are Muslim you have to submit your will to Allah (SWT). Please ask yourself…….
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we need to be focusing on other pressing issues rather than making a joke out of people’s life style, I am not a supporter of the underground party scene but I do believe everyone has the right to spend their lives in whatever way they please.
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Several educational institutions are promoting similar culture in the hope of getting more high fee paying students.
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But dont you think that it is responsibility of every Muslim to invite other people for good deeds
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I have been an avid reader of ET, but this is cheap, seriously cheap publicity stunt!
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Everyone will be accounted for their deeds. If some one is having a private party I have no issues with that but I have a big issue with people killing people and thats unacceptable.
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Not every person respecting and practicing Islam is Taliban! Neither every liberal goes to such parties! And besides that when have you seen that Talibans have bombed a party like this one? NEVER! So STOP comparing Muslims with the ones bombing mosques and schools. Because these are the two most respectful places a Muslim visits, and anyone engaged in destroying it is NOT a Muslim fundamentalist. And secondly, this is extremism, dont compare it to the ones killing people, you can not compare on extremity to other, if you call yourself a liberal Muslim, compare it to the Mulims who lead quite a happy life without these parties.
So a word of advise for secular extremists, find another LOGICAL method to bash Islam. This one isn’t working.Recommend
And on a second note, Is Adil Omar offended by mentioning “baggy trousers” or what? These celebrities take everything personally!Recommend
partypoopers.
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@DevilHunterX:
How many women have had acid thrown on them in the name of religion?How many innocents have been blown to pieces in the name of religion?
Yes, one may argue that acid attacks and suicide bombers don’t represent the majority of religious Pakistanis. But one can also argue that drunk drivers and don’t represent a majority of Pakistani party goers.
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The biggest threat to Islam are the MULLAHS Recommend
Express Tribune is failing Pakistan badly. Their journalism is unbelievably biased and their liberal worldview is not representative of the vast majority of Pakistanis. Heck, even the liberals are crying foul now. ET, take a break. Do us a favor and close down please. We don’t need you.
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@Ahmed Raza:
You’re doing a pretty bad job at fighting taliban. Remember your salary comes from our tax money. Don’t think your doing any ehsaan. You are free to switch Ur job. So don’t act like you have some moral authority just because you’re in P.A.
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Thank God we are not an Islamic nation !
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it is interesting to know
if you happen to be in UK or Canada you shall find enough Arab youngsters partying an having fun in clubs
and then go to any “extreme religious” islamic confrences and workshops
you shall find majority of south asians, and african diaspora youngsters
.
why does that happen
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and what is that? @Someone: lack of roti kapra makan jobs electrcity businesses unemployment? dont express make dramas on that? LOL
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Taliban have alot of Beliefs , they are extremist, they would kill every party goes, we just want to close the parties. Just because you agree with taliban on 1 thing does make you taliban. Taliban also believe drinking water. will you not drink water ??
Being against alcohol being available easily and degenerate western party is against the ideology of pakistan.
for thoose who say partying is not forced on anyone, when anyone does it has negative effects of society encourages others to do it and breaks down families etc Islam is based on logic, not your secular philosophy.
ET is out of touch with common pakistan ,run from US.
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Seriously, how do we get into such parties?
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Taliban’s ideology is one extreme which cannot be accepted as our way of life but at the same time partying under ground, Islamabad style is yet another extremity which has nothing to do with Islamic way of life. In my opinion a middle course based on commonly accepted Islamic values should be adopted.
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Whats the big deal guys… if you don’t like parties go back to your jummah ka khutbah and mehfil-e-muraqba but please just like you have a right to live and do what makes you happy let the others also live the life of their choice. Have tolerance and believe in Allah, yes, because if you believe in Allah than everybody is responsible for their good or bad in front of the Almighty… who are you to take matters in your hands and judge someone….most of all get a life and let others live too! …and don’t blame the Express Tribune for failing Pakistan….Pakistan is failing because of intolerance of its people. Intolerance of a Muslim of one sect towards another…if it was left up to this in tolerant lot the world would be a lonely planet with only them and their 1 1/2 brick (dairdh einth) mosque.
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Media needs act with responsibility.
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I agree that journalist should not have covered such issue in negative tone neither there was a need to write article on such topic. Rather the focus could have been on eliminating poverty & corruption from the society. Please dont attack the freedom to be entertained.
http://CeleBanana.com team member
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