On the other hand, 2010 wraps ten years where we can rejoice at the thought of celebrating indigenous fashion, resounding music, engaging entertainment and technological breakthroughs.
While international avenues pushed barriers and made the world a religious devotee of the social networking site, Facebook, Pakistan conquered the music front with Noori and Atif Aslam’s hits.
Pakistan’s entertainment and progressive life style has been commendable over the last ten years. From Lux Style Awards to Blackfish, local grounds have become a platform of pride.
Despite this year’s floods and 2005’s devastating earthquake, the country has become an ensemble to showcase with the Kara Film Festival, the launch of a national food channel, the revolutionary take on fusion music under the Coke Studio umbrella and the epitome of intellect with the spread of theatre, improvisational comedy and the on house coffee culture-2010 is definitely enfolding a wrap.
2001
KaraFilm Festival
With KaraFilm, filmmakers from Karachi hosted an international film festival of its kind and its success has turned it into an annual event held every fall.
Sunday Daily Times Magazine
Sunday is Pakistan’s free, premier weekly fashion magazine which brought with it the rise of paparazzi in the country. The magazine has over 450 editions and covers editorial content and fashion photography.
Ipod
Song portability was never easier, the Ipod revolutionised the music-listening experience further with iTunes which featured digital downloads of the latest tracks.
2002
Lux Style Awards
Lux Style Awards localised the Oscar phenomenon in Pakistan and is now held annually.
Geo Television
Known for promoting freedom of speech and freedom of expression in Pakistan, the channel has been involved in numerous conflicts with the government
Blackfish
Pakistan’s first improvisation comedy troupe was created by Saad Haroon and was chosen to represent Pakistan in an international Theatre Project in England.
‘American Idol’
The show set the trend for reality television which has now gained international popularity.
2003
‘Aadat’
The song took Pakistan’s music scene by storm. Officially released in December, “Aadat” had already become an overnight hit online
Noori
Pakistani band Noori launched their first album, Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan, in 2003 and created a whirlwind across the internal Urdu speaking community. It introduced pop rock music to Pakistani mainstream and focused on inspiring the youth.
The Da Vinci Code
Much criticised for the portrayal of early Christianity, Dan Brown’s mystery-detective fiction novel The Da Vinci Code is by far the bestselling English novel of the 21st century.
2004
Radio
Though FM radio station had started in 1995 in Pakistan, 2004 marked a time when radio brought the mainstream entertainment back to the once ignored media tool.
Espresso
Launched in Karachi, this coffee shop started the cafe trend in the city and has never been more popular
Taking messengers and emails in the background, Facebook is the latest rage among people of all ages and origins. The social networking site has equally transformed the world of marketing.
2005
Revo
Revo might have failed to catch due attention but this indigenously designed car provided a technological leap to the country with its prices lower than any other car produced in Pakistan.
YouTube
One can’t deny the sensation this video sharing site has brought, particularly after the rise of stars like Justin Bieber whose career started with random home videos posted on YouTube.
2006
MTV Pakistan
Television Networks Pakistan (MTV Pakistan) has been set-up in collaboration with local Pakistani channel, Indus Music, and was launched with the vision to promote the up-and-coming Pakistani music industry.
Masala Television
This channel was the world’s first Urdu 24-hour food television channel. It has become a household name and is recognised all across the country and is even available in America via the Dish Network.
Wii
Is a home video game console released by Nintendo. Wii features a wireless controller which detects movement in three dimensions and can be used as a handheld pointing device.
2007
Khuda Kay Liye
This film was written, directed and produced by Shoaib Mansoor and grossed over $10 million worldwide and was a huge commercial and critical success in Pakistan and India. The film received some criticism and some called for it to be banned in Pakistan.
Iphone
The iPhone is a line of internet and multimedia enabled smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The phones user interface is built around a multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard, and third-party applications are available from the App Store.
2008
Coke Studio
Bringing together Pakistan’s music talent in a fusion of diverse influences, Coke Studio provides a musical platform aiming to bridge barriers and celebrate diversity. The series features live performances and has been produced by Rohail Hyatt.
Lady Gaga
American pop singer-songwriter Lady Gaga released her debut solo album, The Fame, in 2008. The album was a commercial success and Gaga achieved international popularity with her singles “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.”
2009
Fashion week(s)
Pakistan’s first ever fashion week took off in November 2009 and launched the beginning of fashion weeks in the country.
T20 Cricket
Led by Younus Khan, Pakistan won the T20 Cricket World Cup by beating Sri Lanka by eight wickets.
Michael Jackson dies
The King of Pop’s death triggered an outburst of grief around the world. Jackson’s memorial service was broadcast around the world and had a global audience of up to one billion people.
2010
Aisamul Haq Qureshi
The Pakistani tennis player was runner up in both the mixed doubles and doubles category and won his way into the hearts of his countrymen after his touching speech at the US Open.
Women’s cricket
The Pakistan women’s cricket team created history when they won the first ever Asian Games cricket final.
WikiLeaks
The site publishes submissions of private secret and classified media from anonymous news sources and news leaks.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2010.
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