Spicy image of Pakistan
People start taking matters in their own hands when they see absolute power corrupting absolutely
PHOTO: AFP
Recently I was requested by a media house to record a short inspirational message to be shared with the public to promote “non-violent communication”. A donor-driven initiative, I felt like it was my moment to throw in my two cents counsel in a world of shattered dreams, scapegoats and conspiracies.
We see mob violence and victims of such violence on television every day, but most of us feel helpless about it, and feel as though there is nothing we can do. A violent death of a student by an angry mob, in the name of religion or honour, sends shockwaves through the world as an inhumane act of intolerance. Street violence is becoming more and more common, whereby blood-thirsty crowds are encouraged to take advantage of a single man’s frailty. Such execution in cold blooded passion degrades the entire nation.
Throughout history, resentment and distaste of deprivation triggers violent crimes against humanity. The oppressed become the powerful oppressors. People start taking matters in their own hands when they see absolute power corrupting absolutely. It is not the student or paramour or blasphemer, it is the powerful and corrupt that they beat.
Poverty makes man cruel. It drives him to do acts that shame him. Street violence is a way of purifying his shameless acts. It is his opportunity to finally become a hero, backed by hooters and instigators with cameras rolling.
People look up to media trials of social injustices. Undoubtedly, in recent years, the media have been making systems accountable for a lack of responsiveness. It also influences the agendas of politicians. Not just in Pakistan, but all over the world, politicians assess public opinion through stories in media. Media is quick to arrive, cover and report. However, it lacks a follow-up on the stories. Politicians make the most of the hype and produce promises of revenge. Often these promises don’t take into account the red tape, corruption, and limitations of administrative and law-enforcing arms of the government. The public is left with a profound distaste for evil and nothing to safeguard against it.
It has been 16 years since 9/11 and Pakistan is still struggling to convey a “soft” image to the world. Many successive governments tried to achieve this by hosting and encouraging fashion fiestas, pushing and shipping women to parliaments and foreign embassies, dictating laws on egalitarianism among other micro level efforts. However, they neglected balancing the needs of society, which paves the way for a uniform value system and is regarded as essential for reason to prevail over intolerance. Politicians cannot be blamed as they lack the training or tools to assess social or psychological needs of the public. They are merely puppets of one leader of the party and mimic election winning rhetoric.
A more suitable rebranding is required. History has examples of many countries that adopted approaches for shifting its image. In the late 80s, America came up with a slogan “kinder and gentler America”, to diminish its image of a racist country against its black population. Turkey went through the same transition when Ataturk rebranded the country as secular and modern. Diplomacy slogans must accompany strategy for public relations — that is how the hearts and minds of people are converted — these two are inextricably linked for moving a nation forward.
Political climate in Pakistan operates in fear. The only non-violent communication method we have recently adopted has come under criticism — the “dharna” culture. Dharna, or sit-in, is a peaceful way to protest. It is a cry for justice so that the underprivileged do not go unheard. But instead fearful governments react by tear-gassing or battening out the crowds. There is no soft image in scenes of riots.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2017.
We see mob violence and victims of such violence on television every day, but most of us feel helpless about it, and feel as though there is nothing we can do. A violent death of a student by an angry mob, in the name of religion or honour, sends shockwaves through the world as an inhumane act of intolerance. Street violence is becoming more and more common, whereby blood-thirsty crowds are encouraged to take advantage of a single man’s frailty. Such execution in cold blooded passion degrades the entire nation.
Throughout history, resentment and distaste of deprivation triggers violent crimes against humanity. The oppressed become the powerful oppressors. People start taking matters in their own hands when they see absolute power corrupting absolutely. It is not the student or paramour or blasphemer, it is the powerful and corrupt that they beat.
Poverty makes man cruel. It drives him to do acts that shame him. Street violence is a way of purifying his shameless acts. It is his opportunity to finally become a hero, backed by hooters and instigators with cameras rolling.
People look up to media trials of social injustices. Undoubtedly, in recent years, the media have been making systems accountable for a lack of responsiveness. It also influences the agendas of politicians. Not just in Pakistan, but all over the world, politicians assess public opinion through stories in media. Media is quick to arrive, cover and report. However, it lacks a follow-up on the stories. Politicians make the most of the hype and produce promises of revenge. Often these promises don’t take into account the red tape, corruption, and limitations of administrative and law-enforcing arms of the government. The public is left with a profound distaste for evil and nothing to safeguard against it.
It has been 16 years since 9/11 and Pakistan is still struggling to convey a “soft” image to the world. Many successive governments tried to achieve this by hosting and encouraging fashion fiestas, pushing and shipping women to parliaments and foreign embassies, dictating laws on egalitarianism among other micro level efforts. However, they neglected balancing the needs of society, which paves the way for a uniform value system and is regarded as essential for reason to prevail over intolerance. Politicians cannot be blamed as they lack the training or tools to assess social or psychological needs of the public. They are merely puppets of one leader of the party and mimic election winning rhetoric.
A more suitable rebranding is required. History has examples of many countries that adopted approaches for shifting its image. In the late 80s, America came up with a slogan “kinder and gentler America”, to diminish its image of a racist country against its black population. Turkey went through the same transition when Ataturk rebranded the country as secular and modern. Diplomacy slogans must accompany strategy for public relations — that is how the hearts and minds of people are converted — these two are inextricably linked for moving a nation forward.
Political climate in Pakistan operates in fear. The only non-violent communication method we have recently adopted has come under criticism — the “dharna” culture. Dharna, or sit-in, is a peaceful way to protest. It is a cry for justice so that the underprivileged do not go unheard. But instead fearful governments react by tear-gassing or battening out the crowds. There is no soft image in scenes of riots.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2017.