Stereotyping the nation

It is tragic to see Pak, one of the strongest Muslim nations in the world, being labelled as violent and extremist

It is tragic to see Pakistan, one of the strongest Muslim nations in the world, being labelled as violent and extremist. The focus of the international media is mostly centred on terrorist attacks rather than the achievements and successes of the Pakistani people. Although there is a great deal of truth in the way Pakistan is depicted by the international media, it would be inaccurate to focus solely on the negative aspects of the country. For example, the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar was publicised as an attempt by terrorists to prevent children from getting an education. No one placed any importance on the real reasons behind it which were mostly to do with Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Very seldom do we come across a channel or a newspaper showing the positive side of Pakistan. Likewise, there are so many Bollywood and Hollywood movies that have done remarkably well in portraying a negative image of Pakistan. Media is by far the most powerful tool used in shaping public opinion and by constantly portraying Pakistan as a terrorist nation, it is injecting bias and hatred in the minds of people. Pakistan is arguably the most powerful Muslim country in the world. Being the only Muslim nuclear state, at times it seems that there is a deliberate international conspiracy to destabilise and disintegrate the nation. With dynamic annual growth, powerful military base and a progressive reduction of poverty, all Pakistanis are in a strong position to challenge the West.

The main strength of Pakistan lies in its vibrant civil society that compensates for the myriad of problems facing the country. There are numerous institutions doing remarkably well for the citizens of the country. The Edhi Foundation, for instance, provides 24-hour emergency assistance across the nation and abroad. In the education sector, The Citizen’s Foundation has established 1,060 schools nationwide with an enrollment of 165,000 students.

The fact that Pakistan is equipped with a strong military force and has conducted a series of successful operations against terrorists means that there are positive developments taking place. Recently, Pakistan announced a consensus National Action Plan to make sure that no terrorist can escape the laws of the land. Hence, it is crucial that the Pakistani media makes a conscious effort to depict an accurate and balanced image of the country because expecting the international media to do that is a lost cause.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2015.