German weeks: It’s [really] not that bad here as perceived, says Ingrid Muller
Muller, senior editor at Berlin’s Der Tagesspiegel (The Daily Mirror - a liberal German newspaper), German Consul General Dr Tilo Klinner and the director of Goethe-Institut Dr Manuel Negwer were present at the Karachi Press Club for a formal chat with the city’s journalists as part of the “German Weeks in Karachi”. The events started off on September 20 and will continue until November 30.
“Very few people visit Pakistan because of the fear of terrorism,” Muller said referring to the dearth of tourists and journalists visiting the country. The senior writer has visited numerous conflict-hit countries, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Congo, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Sudan, reporting on various issues - from culture to women.
“I found the people of Pakistan to be very different than their normal perception of extremism, Taliban, nuclear bombs and the violence of Karachi,” shared Muller talking about the Pakistani society.
People in Europe think Pakistani women are denied their due rights but the perception is quite different against the reality. “In my country too, a woman had to ask her husband’s permission for work about 40 years ago,” she said.
“I am told that boys and girls go to court to get married of their freewill. [Maybe] it is not because of economic issues but they dislike arranged marriages,” she continued while talking about women rights in Pakistan. She correlated this with more female doctors and architects than men. “Women are involved in other fields too.”
One can see all outlets of KFC and McDonalds full of people all the time, she said referring to the perception of hatred against West in the Pakistani society. “[Are they having] lunch with enemies?” Muller asked. “People love to eat here and don’t hate the West entirely.”
Sharing her views on Pakistani politics and politicians, the German lady said that Pakistanis do not have nice things to say about their representatives. “You select them and then talk bad for them as well,” she said. “[Whereas, the] politicians consider Pakistan their property - not their country.”
“The media is rude to the politicians as well. It talks on politics and policies but doesn’t highlight real issues,” she replied on a question about the Pakistani media’s role.
Replying to another question on her experience of travelling to conflict-hit areas across the world, Muller said it was safe to travel to and in Pakistan.
Comparing Pakistan’s economic position with Germany, she said that only 1.9 million people in a population of 180 million pay taxes in Pakistan while 40 million of about 80 million people in Germany pay taxes. “The state can’t run its affairs without money,” she said referring to the infrastructure and other facilities available for Pakistani people.
Earlier, German Consul General Dr Tilo Klinner said that Pakistan has a very distinguished culture and its interesting people make it a colourful country. The diplomat then introduced Ingrid Muller to the audience saying, “Muller will shed light on what is Pakistan’s external perception in Europe, particularly in Germany.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (4)
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Media is biased in Pakistan. in fact its filling of hours "24 7 is tough job, as i was also associated with media and every time select news which has controversy. you are right that there are many women working in Pakistan and struggling against odd moment to moment and day to day, but you will never see their stories in the media as they of the believe that they are not the victims and they are not the once who are suffering. Pakistani society is male dominated society and so its media is also dominated by males. they haven't any female in the management tear very rare like Ms Naseer Zahra the one who is Director News and Current Affairs in Dunya News, same is with DAWN Paper who's editor is Arifa Noor. so there are number of women who are working in media but they are not highlighted in fact media should highlight this also.
Pakistan is facing problem the way you did comparison with other countries like Germany we are blaming our country and politicians whom we not selected in fact we are not gone out to vote them and rest we are crying of the fact key why are they in the government in fact we are not full-fling our duties and rights.
“People love to eat here and don’t hate the West entirely.” ha ha. Good one.
"A rigid society, hatred for West and a country of extremists with no women rights are all related to Pakistan around the world, especially in Europe, but the overall situation is quite otherwise, noted German journalist Ingrid Muller related at a journalistic discussion on Monday." Very true , but ain't this the gift of afghan war and general Zia (both promoted by west).
The Pakistan of yesteryear's was completely different place, as i can make out from the articles in ET and Dawn. Hope Pakistan again becomes progressive, tolerant and vibrant country!!
Thank God something positive being said by a foreigner.