Some of the news reports, blogs and opinion pieces morphed into intense social debates with over 500 comments flying in on a single post. Others spawned side-stories, rebuttals, refutations and counter-posts, while still others were shared for their sheer shock and entertainment value. These stories served to redefine and sometimes even redirect the dialogue about some of Pakistan’s most critical issues.
The zeitgeist of The Express Tribune community is expressed below.
George Ka Khuda Hafiz – George Fulton
MARCH 2011
A public farewell note to Pakistan by writer George Fulton is met with a huge outpouring of regret, shock, guilt and scorn. Is he abondoning ship or saving himself and can he get us a visa too? Is his departure a sign of sane voices being driven out of the country?
Cockroaches ‘r’ us – Fasi Zaka
AUGUST 2010
Two teenage boys are brutally lynched in Sialkot prompting columnist Fasi Zaka to call the entire nation coakroaches, for our lack of integrity and backbone. While many indulge in some healthy self-loathing, others lash back saying that the act of a few cannot represent the nation. The debate continues as experts ask if barbaric tendencies are ingrained in the Pakistani identity.
Inside Pakistan’s adult film industry
MAY 2010
A controversial FOX News story starts a massive debate on Pakistan’s favourite taboo topic: sex. Are porn films and sexy searches a trend? Infact, are adult films being shot in Karachi?
No survivors in Airblue plane crash
JULY 2010
Conspiracy theories afoot as 152 people are killed in an airplane crash in Islamabad. Questions of accountability are rife but there are few answers.
Salmaan Taseer assassinated
JANUARY 2011
As Punjab Governer Salmaan Taseer is gunned down in an Islamabad market, a stunned sense of grief unites readers - until the killer comes forward. Mumtaz Qadri’s confession sparks an ideological debate on islamic values, freedom of speech and vigilante justice. The divide between those who supported Taseer and those who did not widens after his death.
Veena Malik and the moral brigade
DECEMBER 2010
Nationalism, religion and cultural norms fuel the debate surrounding Veena Malik’s controversial Bigg Boss appearance, and resultant war of words with ‘Mufti saab’. Is Veena the new poster-girl for women’s rights, or a case of brazenness and immorality question Tribune commenters.
The Indo-Pak cyber-war
DECEMBER 2010
Cyber warfare raged for a week as local hackers ‘Pakistan Cyber Army’ battle Indian hackers who deface 36 government websites.
O level student scores record 23 As
JANUARY 2011
High-achiever, Ibrahim Shahid gives Pakistan some much needed good news on the education front.
Spy Games and Raymond Davis
JANUARY 2011
The saga of US spy Raymond Davis plays into Pakistan’s multiple conspiracy theories. Davis’ covert, but not unexpected exit from prison after allegedly paying diyat to his victims’ families sparks arguments about where the government’s loyalties lie and what the role of intelligence agencies in Pakistan is.
Clifton rape case
DECEMBER 2010
The police, media and Sharmila Farooqui take a bashing from bloggers and commenters for unethical practices in handling the (as yet) unresolved Karachi rape case.
Shoania madness!
April 2010
Shoaib Malik’s marriage to Sania Mirza redefines celebrity drama, controversy, obsession.
Facebook banned: The good, the bad, the ugly
May 2010
Facebook banned, Google and Twitter intermittently blocked along with 1,000 other sites in the aftermath of ‘Draw Prophet Muhammad day’. Pakistan’s great divide features online, with commenters defending the ban up in arms against those calling such restrictions a naïve, inappropriate response.
What about the floods?
September 2010
Where are the politicians? Where is the media? Why so much apathy? Many questions, few answers in the aftermath of the 2010 floods.
Ali Zafar, Katrina’s hero
October 2010
Fame, glory follow musician cum actor Zafar after he saves Kaif’s hair from a deadly pedestal fan.
19 girls, one car!
December 2010
Bizarre, weird, wonderful and just plain viral world record attempt. The number one video on The Express Tribune YouTube channel.
The WikiLeaks saga and the media’s mistake
December 2010
Even if it’s true, is it ethical? WikiLeaks unveils Pak-US relations as never before, while fake WikiLeaks expose the local media’s shortcomings.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2011.
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