Global Voices » Pakistan

Pakistani Fashion Designer's ‘Be My Slave’ Shoot Called ‘Racist’

Halima Khan — Sun, 12 May 2013 21:11:55 +0000

A magazine photo shoot for an emerging fashion designer's collection has touched off anger throughout Pakistan for its depiction of a dark-skinned child serving as a slave to a fair-skinned model.

The clothing collection on display in the “Be my Slave” spread published in Diva magazine issue 106 is by Aamna Aqeel, who made her debut at Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi in April 2013. Aqeel has maintained that she wanted the shoot to spark debate on child labor, and she is supporting and educating the young boy featured in the photos.

But with bonded slavery and racism very real problems facing Pakistan, some have accused Aqeel of engineering the photos with the intent to shock and gain publicity for her brand.

In a post on her Style Inn blog, entertainment journalist Usama Hamayun slammed the slave theme:

Her collection [at Fashion Pakistan Week] recieved [sic] very good reviews and I for one liked her collection as well. But this shoot disgusts me. Playing with such an insensitive theme in a country where racism and bonded labour are critical issues is not acceptable or aesthetically pleasing by any means. You can be fashion forward and push the envelope but above pics are simply tasteless and offensive.

A glimpse on some of the photographs in question. Image courtesy Style on Paper Blog

Blogger Padash was one of the first to call attention to the photo spread online:

Today a reader just shared this very distasteful and vile ad by a so-called designer in Pakistan. Aamna Aqeel. Never heard of her? Neither have I? However…this chick needs a serious dose of reality, an education and a lesson on how to market test her ads!

Commenting on an article in The Express Tribune about the photo shoot, “ashar” wrote that the fashion industry rewards this kind of behavior:

Whatever nonsense you can put in will be admired and accepted. This is present day fashion industry.

This isn't the first time a fashion spread has provoked outrage in Pakistan. Last year, some were less than pleased at photos by Pakistani fashion brand Sana Safinaz of a model dressed in fine lawn cloth surrounded by coolies, or manual laborers, with one of the men holding her Louis Vuitton handbag.

But as happened with that campaign, some came to the defense of Aqeel's photo shoot.

“Zeenia” commenting on The Express Tribune article wrote that the photos were based in reality:

Why the outrage on just this? It’s just a reflection of how our society works.

Image courtesy Style On Paper blog

On Paper Magazine's Style on Paper blog, Zainul Abidin asked those who are so angry over the campaign to take a look in the mirror:

Plz lay off all the children you have hired for household and to take care of your kids and start working with your own hands and do your household yourself and then comment.

Alina commented on the same blog that the outrage was misdirected:

Only if the tag line was different, it could have been a very STRONG social campaign by the designer to create awareness against this dilemma. . Nevertheless its thought provoking. The moral corruption is mindbogglingly high in our society. Its not just slavery i see in these pictures but the contrast too, the tragedy of coldness and apathy of rich towards poor. In a country like ours its a shame to wear big designer brands where poor are having unimaginable wretched lives and rich indulge in top notch luxury without any guilt. Anyhow any revolutionary change is hard to witness any time soon so whats the point. Pour in more comments of how you HATE the designer. *sigh*

But Kamran Hashmi wasn't convinced:

Thought provoking? Have you people gone mad? She’s selling CLOTHES by using a shocking and abhorrent form of “expression.” What’s worse is that she is USING what appears to be a BLACK child as her pawn. How exactly is she commenting on “her” society? This is absolutely defenseless and the stupidest form of advertisement I have ever seen in my life.

On Twitter, psychological linguist Iftikhar Firdous (@IftikharFirdous) called the photos “disgusting”:

@IftikharFirdous: @abbasnasir59 Its disturbing, disturbing because of the fact that if art is polluted with such ‘unconscious’ stereotypes-what next? @rabayl

Iqra Shoukat (@iqrashoukat) wasn't a fan either of the photo shoot theme:

@iqrashoukat: #aamnaaqeel‘s target market: People that support #racism #slavery and a disgustingly crude sense of humor.

Pakistanis Vote in Huge Numbers Despite Threats, Alleged Poll Rigging

Qurratulain Zaman — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:21:50 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

Amid threats of terrorism and reports of rigging, determined voters in Pakistan turned out in high numbers, braving chaotic polling stations and long lines on May 11, 2013 to have their say in the country's first ever democratic transition of power.

The final results are not yet tallied, but former two-time prime minster Nawaz Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) is expected to win and form the government.

The party's official Twitter account (@pmln_org) declared the victory:

@pmln_org: PMLN Roshan Pakistan | Thanks to the Nation for Trusting us And supporting the Revolution ! https://t.co/Qvz4kUr2SS

A woman is exercising her right to vote here during general elections 2013 at a polling station in the home town of Benazir Bhutto on Saturday. Image by jamal Dawood. Copyright Demotix (11/5/2013)

Popular cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who had attracted a large following among young people and urban voters ahead of the general elections, fell short of leading his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to an election win. His former wife, Jemima Khan (@Jemima_Khan), remained optimistic about the party:

@Jemima_Khan: PTI-from a 1 seat party to 2nd biggest/main Opposition in the Assembly, governing 1 province. Not a tsunami but definitely a #nayaPakistan [new Pakistan]

The vote was peaceful in most areas, though bombings and shootings in Karachi, Peshawar, and Baluchistan left a reported 29 dead and many others injured, pushing the total number of deaths caused by election-related attacks from Taliban militants and other militant groups in recent weeks to more than 150.

But despite the violence, an estimated 60 percent of the 86 million people qualified to vote made it to the polls, more than in any recent elections in the country.

Twitter was buzzing with reactions all day.

Faisal Sherjan (@fsherjan) noted:

@fsherjan: First indicator voter turnout. Chattering class participated in electoral process. Young Pakistan voted for change. Voters showed maturity

People stand in a queue to cast their vote at a polling station during the phase of the election in Karachi, Pakistan on Saturday 11 may 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis went to the polling stations. Image by Rana Zahid 84. Copyright Demotix (11/5/2013)

Journalist Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) pushed the country to break its own voting record:

@Fahdhusain: 1970 turnout was 63 percent. Highest in Pakistan history. Let's smash this record! #Elections

Writer, blogger, and development professional Raza Rumi (@Razarumi) posted a comparison:

@Razarumi: In 2008 elections voter turnout in Pakistan was 44.1%; In Bangladesh 87.4% during 2008 elections. In India 2009 election,voter turnout 59.7%

Female Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) employees register female voters with their identification cards. Image by Saad Sarfraz Sheikh. Copyright Demotix (11/5/2013)

Reports of discrepancies and vote rigging in which people were allegedly forced not to vote have cropped up in some areas of Pakistan, mainly in the port city of Karachi, triggering protests in support of Imran Khan and his PTI party. Karachi journalist Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) shared a photo of the demonstrations:

@faizanlakhani: Picture: #PTI protests in Karachi against rigging in elections. #PakVotes pic.twitter.com/yot6KebFy1

Yasmeen Ali (@yasmeen_9) also tweeted a photo showing hundreds protesting against the supposed rigging:

@yasmeen_9: protest at Lalak Chowk against rigging in #NA125 hundreds out protesting. @HAMIDKHAN_NA125 pic.twitter.com/s8FzEEP3Sg

#Rigging is trending in Pakistan, thanks in part to PTI's social media team. This is to be noted as an important moment in the new trend of using social media as a political and mobilization tool in Pakistan.

The party alleges that the winning Pakistan Muslim League-N was seen manipulated the polls, and videos from one polling station in Lahore NA-125 and Rawalpindi NA 56 supposedly show rigging:

@PakVotes: Rigging video exposed from Rawalpindi NA-56 where PML-N workers are forcing people not to cast vote. http://pakvotesmap.pk/reports/view/240 … #PakVotes

Army officials are patrolling as the army troops have started patrolling in different areas of the city while patrolling has also increased in sensitive areas on the occasion of General Election 2013, in Karachi on Friday May 10, 2013. Image by PPI Images. Copyright Demotix

They have started a Change.org petition, however, this petition only focuses on two constituencies of Karachi and doesn't mention Rawalpindi and Lahore:

Elections should be held again across the constituencies Karachi-1 (NA239) to Karachi-20 (NA258) due to multiple reports of rigging and other hindrances in the process. We want a free and fair election, with voters and polling stations protected by law enforcement agencies against those who seek to intimidate and coerce.

The interim Punjab Chief minister & former journalist Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) said PTI planned to file a complaint over four seats believed to be fixed:

@najamsethi: I just talked to [Imran Khan]. He complained about “rigging” in 4 seats by [Election Commission of Pakistan's] Presiding Officers. He said he will lodge complaint with ECP.

Pakistan is still waiting for the report of EU observers, and as of now, there are no independent reports coming in.

However, re-polling has been ordered for more than 40 polling stations in Karachi where voting was suspended on election day because of irregularities. Express Tribune journalist Omar Quraishi (@omar_quraishi) responded to the news:

@omar_quraishi: Know many people who voted for 7-8 hours to vote in NA 250 and are pretty annoyed that the result has been delayed because of repolling

The independent Free and Fair Elections Network or FAFEN and the Election Commission of Pakistan is requesting that political parties lodge official complaints with evidence.

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

Thumbnail Image by Syed Yasir Kazmi. Copyright Demotix (11/5/2013)

Pakistan Election Updates and Results Online

Rezwan — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:56:09 +0000

Mehwish khan at ProPakistani compiles a list of sites which are providing live updates and results of the Pakistan general elections 2013.

Watchdog Social Media Monitor Pakistan's Historic Elections

Faisal Kapadia — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:32:48 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

As Pakistan nears its first democratic transition of power with the country's historic elections only days away, social media is empowering Pakistanis to take a more active role in the vote.

Elections in Pakistan are a tense affair. The five-year tenure of the democratically elected Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government is set to end with elections on May 11, 2011. Nearly every time elections were held in the past, parties have hurled accusations of rigging and misconduct at each other, giving way to violence.

But unlike the past, when the average Pakistani had to rely on the mainstream media to gather first-hand news and form their opinion, social media has changed things. There is an increasingly informed portion of tech-savvy populace which is using Facebook and Twitter.

Two new online platforms in Pakistan are attempting to use social media to monitor the upcoming elections for irregularities and violence as well as to inform the public about the electoral process.

Voter Stats. Infographic courtesy of Pak Votes

Pak Votes

Pak Votes (English, Urdu) is an election monitoring citizen journalists platform. It is an initiative that aims to highlight the voice of ordinary citizens through citizen media to generate an alternate narrative of 2013 electoral contest.

Using social media tools, it encourages openness by citizen participation and tries to provide timely and reliable information. The focus is to increase the people's ownership of the democratic system.

The innovative citizen journalism portal aims to empower the common people to voice their opinion on the upcoming elections, cite any Code-of-Conduct violations before, during and after the upcoming elections, and also report incidents of violence or rigging.

The project has trained 40 field monitors from the most remote and most violence-prone areas around Pakistan. These field monitors are reporting election problems in real-time to the platform from remote regions, which are generally ignored by the mainstream media. These reports are mapped here.

A shopkeeper vows to vote for PTI. This picture was sent to PakVotes for iVote campaign by @SoofiaSays

For example, a PakVotes-trained citizen journalist from Quetta, Balochistan has reported:

Most women don’t even have their NIC cards with them. Either they never had an ID card made, or their husbands or fathers have them. This essentially forces them out of the voting process and so, they get to have no say in the electoral process.

Apart from the monitoring, the platform aggregates blogs, opinion pieces, and analysis from citizens on the PakVotes website. @wordoflaw wrote in a post ‘Wattan Ya Kaffan’.

Rather tragically, there are two elections being contested in Pakistan. One is an election that is focused on rhetoric and a “New Pakistan”. The other, the election that the ANP is contesting, raises the issue that in order for there to be a “New Pakistan”, the State of Pakistan must continue to exist. And it is that Pakistan which is under attack.

Cartoonist Sabir Nazar draws for PakVotes. New Pakistan vs Old Pakistan.

The project can be followed on Facebook and on Twitter (@pakvotes). If you are in Pakistan and witness violence in any form, report it to PakVotes by sending an SMS to 0334-40-2222-4, send an email to report@pakvotesmap.pk, or simply tweet to @PakVotes.

Pak Voter

This platform allows Pakistani citizens to learn about elections and the electoral process via social media in order to urge them to get out the vote. Pak Voter provides information and links for informed voting decisions, while offering the information in a neutral and apolitical way.

This process does not begin and end with elections — it is an ongoing endeavor and would require constant and long-term engagement of Pakistanis to not only vote, but remain active after elections and hold the winners accountable to their mandate.

Speakers at Pak Voter's first voting information session on May 7, 2013. Photo by Faisal Kapadia.

Writer Sidra Rizvi explained why it is important to vote on her own blog:

Exercising our vote is something we all must do. If we don’t vote, the people who shouldn't be in power will win. Their loyalists will vote for them. And with us not casting any, they will once more gain control. Isn't this what we are trying to change? Shouldn't we cast a vote then, if not to elect someone, then to help not elect someone who is not capable?

A @pakvoter-hosted chat on Twitter was the number one trending topic in Pakistan under the hashtag #letsvote on May 8, 2013:

@FarriRizvi (Farheen Rizvi): roads and banks are the coins of an elected govt. Elected govt shud provide security for domestic/foreign investment @pakvoter

@RJ_kulsoom (Umme Kulsoom): Don't know your polling station? Check it here today http://www.norbalm.com/pakistan-elections-urdu/ … and #letsvote on may 11. #pakvoter @pakvoter

@PakVoter (Pak Voter): It is unrealistic to not participate in the election process and then sit and criticize. you must go out and vote! #letsvote

@rraheelNJ (Rizwan Raheel): @PakVoter @faisalkapadia a single vote can tilt the balance, and it just might be your's. Use your right to choose what you think is right

@hiranazam: Vote. Even if you feel your vote doesn't count. Even if you feel it's wasted. Even if you feel the elections are rigged. Go. Vote. #LetsVote

This campaign can be found on Facebook and on Twitter (@pakvoter).

The post was co-authored by Qurratulain Zaman

Politically Divided Pakistan Rallies Around Injured Imran Khan

Salman Latif — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:48:01 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

Popular cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, whose hopeful campaign promise of a “New Pakistan” has drawn large crowds of young people and urban voters to his rallies ahead of the country's general elections, fractured three vertebrae and a rib after falling off a 15-feet high forklift just before a scheduled speech.

Khan, who was at a rally in the city of Lahore, was immediately rushed to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. Within a few hours of being hospitalized, he regained consciousness and managed to make a powerful political speech to the journalists at his bedside.

With the country's hotly contested elections on May 11, 2013 only days away, Khan's dramatic fall comes during the final campaign push. He is leading Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a newcomer that could be a strong contender for the people's representation in the upcoming elections.

But phenomenally, the incident shows signs of bridging the bitter political divides across the country, with political rivals, critics, and opponents putting aside their differences to wish Khan good health.

Imran Khan falling off the lifter.
Image courtesy PTI UK official Facebook page

The news instantly replaced all other headlines on TV channels and social media were soon abuzz with it. People from all sorts of political affiliations, from his staunch rivals, Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, to international celebrities such as Brian Lara, spoke up to wish Imran Khan a speedy recovery.

West Indies cricketer Brian Lara (@BrianLara) tweeted from his account on May 8, 2013:

@BrianLara: Imran Khan injured @ rally fell off stage… Out of danger Thank God!! Get well soon great man. Continue striving in what u believe in.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahbaz Sharif posted on his Facebook page:

Just visited Imran Khan in the hospital and conveyed best wishes of Mian Nawaz Sharif… He is Alhumdulillah fine and recovering mashaaAllah… Prayers for him and his family!!!

Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif), the daughter of PML-N's chief Nawaz Sharif, also resounded similar sentiments:

@MaryamNSharif: Got the sad news while campaigning. Our prayers and wishes for Imran Khan Sahib's early & complete recovery.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Shaukat Khanum Hospital where Imran Khan was being treated. Image by Saad Sarfraz Sheikh. Copyright Demotix (8/5/2013)

Dr. Tahirul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri), who recently led a sizable crowd to protest against the outgoing Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government, stated:

@TahirulQadri: My heartfelt sympathy goes out to PTI chairman Imran Khan on sustaining injury. I pray for his better health.

Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik), former interior minister in the outgoing PPP government, tweeted:

@SenRehmanMalik: I pray for early recovery of Imran Khan. May Allah bless him with fast recovery.

In Punjab, Khan's party is locked in a bitter political tussle with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N). Despite this, PML-N head, Nawaz Sharif, expressed his grief over the incident and decided to stall his party's election campaign for a day, as a show of solidarity with Khan.

Many have gone on to claim that Khan has united a divided nation with his fall. The incident, Hammad Siddiqui (@hammads) wrote, also hints that Pakistani politicians have matured:

@hammads: Altaf Bhai was the first one to cancel his address and prayed for Imran Khan – Followed by NS this shows political maturity #GetwellSoonIK

The incident has also triggered mass support and sympathy for Khan's political party, with many speculating that it may turn the tables in the party's favor. Hassan Belal Zaidi (@mightyobvious_), a media consultant, penned a post titled “Fall to Grace“ for Pak Votes. In his post, Zaidi wrote:

The truth is, Imran might just end up winning this one. I can smell a victory for the Cricket Bat a mile away. It may not be a massive win, it may not be a rout, but for a first time party, it will definitely be a victory. I just hope that this (excuse the pun) knock on the head will be the wake-up call many in our country need. I do not support the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, nor will I be voting for them. But I do wish their party and their leader the best of luck.

While many have criticized Imran Khan for having rightist leanings, the unfortunate fall has yet again highlighted the fact that Khan has politically stirred the nation, especially the youth. And when all is said and done, such mobilization is a very welcome change in a budding democracy.

Fatwas for Imran Khan – Pakistan's Election Gets Dirty

Sahar Habib Ghazi — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:31:21 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

Screen capture from PTI Official Website http://insaf.pk/

A popular cricket-star turned politician, whose campaign and rallies have been drawing young urban voters with the slogan “Naya Pakistan” (New Pakistan), irked some supporters by distancing himself from the country's persecuted minority group the Ahmadis.

Imran Khan was reacting to fatwas or decrees issued this week by some Islamic clerics and an Islamist party forbidding Pakistanis from voting for him because he is “an atheist” and “an Ahmadi agent”. The country's historic elections, to be held on May 11, 2013 are days away. Khan's party, a new player on Pakistan's political scene, is proving to be a real challenger to the country's established parties.

Khan's statement on Ahmadis

On the official website of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf PTI, Khan endorsed the constitution of Pakistan, which declared Ahmadis non-Muslims in 1974 and prohibited Ahmadis from calling their faith Islam and their houses of worship mosques in Pakistan.

Pakistan is the only country in the world to have officially declared that “Ahmadis are not Muslims.” The official PTI press release on May 2 states:

PTI totally subscribes to the article in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the Ahmadis. It is not part of the PTI agenda to seek amendment of the said article in the Constitution.

[...]

This is a political conspiracy against me as a person and PTI as a party …Those Ulema [religious scholars] who label me as kafir [atheist] and tell people that voting for PTI is haram [forbidden by islamic law] in their fatwas [religious decrees] would have been better advised to follow the rules of giving fatwas and ascertained my belief before issuing the same.

A video with Khan directly speaking into camera [ur] was also uploaded on the site on May 2, but was later removed.

Fashion Designer Zarlasht Faisal travelled across the country to attend Imran Khan rallies leading up to the election. Before she was aware of the fatwas, she wrote on her public Facebook page on May 2:

As an ardent PTI and IK supporter, am absolutely appalled by the statement about Ahmedi's on the PTI website; This is seriously disappointing

Religious decree issued against Khan

Imran Khan's statement came in response to a video making the rounds on social media showing a woman that seemed to be representing PTI asking for Ahmadi votes from an Ahmadi spiritual leader. The video propelled several Islamic scholars to issue fatwas against voting for Khan on May 1.

On May 4, Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Pakistan's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, also endorsed the decree. Popular broadcast journalist Moeed Pirzada writes on his Facebook page:

Fazlur Rehman used every word that would foment hatred against any person in the conservative masses of Pakistan. He called Imran an agent of “Americans, Jews, Ahmadis and a person of ill character”. “A person who could not make his own children Muslim nor Pakistani, is dreaming of becoming prime minister of Pakistan and making the country an Islamic welfare state,” [the] Maulana [religious scholar] said. — Lol! Where is Election Commission?

A day after Rehman's statement, a grenade was thrown at a PTI office, injuring three people. This was the first attack targeting the party in the run up to the elections, although the campaign trail has been bloody for other parties.

Khan's young supporters react

A post by Pirzada on Facebook churned hundreds of comments within hours. One follower responds:

Bilal Fazal: I am going to vote for IK [Imran Khan] after this Fatwa. This is the kind of fatwas that has made Pakistan a bloody and in-livable place. god help Maulana's followers by giving them hidayat [guidance] and rochni [light] to see it through.

Islamabad-born law student, Imaan Hazir Mazari (@ImaanHMazari), who used to be an ardent supporter of PTI and whose mother is a member of Imran Khan's party, tweets:

@ImaanHMazari: There was no need for him to act so defensive. This has now resulted in the impression that their [Ahmadi] persecution is justifiable. Bad move, IK.

On her personal blog she adds:

I believed in the change he talked about even when I left PTI because I believed that he was a man who wouldn’t bow down to the extremists when he came to power. My belief in him has wavered as his recent actions have been very disheartening to a Pakistani who believes in equal rights for all, regardless of religious beliefs. What is even more upsetting is that I, along with many other Pakistanis, feel helpless and out of choices. If not Imran Khan, who am I going to vote for?

In a Facebook thread on her own profile with dozens of comments, Zarlasht Faisal says:

A very irresponsible statement, but I still have a LOT of faith in him. Fact of the matter is…its a hate mongering law entrenched in our psyche since 1973…its going to take a lot more than talk during a run up to an election campaign to change it.

On May 4, she wrote a longer post explaining why she continues to support Imran Khan.

Pakistan's Ahmadis

In 1973, the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Benazir Bhutto's father) bowed down to pressure from religious parties and amended the constitution to declare Ahmadis non-Muslims through an act of parliament. In 1984, Pakistan's military dictator Zia-ul-Haq introduced more sting into the law by forbidding Ahmadi's from “posing as muslims.” Which means they cannot call themselves Muslim, or their places of worship mosques, or even say the Muslim greeting in Arabic, asaalamu-alaikum (peace be upon you.)

Since then, hate crimes against Ahmadis have been on the rise. Many fear for their safety in Pakistan and live in the shadows. With Ahmadis at the center of this latest political point scoring game, many young Ahmadis have bravely starting tweeting and mentioning their struggles on Facebook.

Nadir, a 30 year-old Ahmadi currently based in Australia, writes on his private Facebook page (used with permission):

Tough being an Ahmadi. First your parents tell you to be proud and love your country, then everybody starts killing each other and you're told to not return to Pakistan as you may either get killed/kidnapped or never promoted in any job, if you get one; the police can't help you even if its the other persons crime against you or your family, neither can the courts. Kids these days are told not to tell anyone they're Ahmadi, if they do, they get thrown out of schools or beaten or killed or failed or isolated. It's a shit cake I tell you, some serious identity fracture.

An anonymous left-leaning Facebook group called Traitors of Pakistan posted a picture and quote of the country's revered founding father on May 4 that says:

Ahmadis are Muslims, If They Say They are Muslims and No One, Not Even the Sovereign Legislature, has the Right to Say Otherwise.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah, 05 May 1944.

The quote was shared by hundreds of young Pakistani Facebook users and generated hundreds of comments with many questioning the Ahmadi status as non-Muslims in Pakistan.

Game Over: Pakistan's Young and Rich Head to the Polls

Sahar Habib Ghazi — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:28:01 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

By the creator of “It's election time in Pakistan: Go rich boy go!” Jahanzaib Haque, from his Facebook page Jay Toons. Uploaded on April 24, 2013.

A timely online game and mobile app that packs humorous punches at Pakistan's young and rich voters, some of whom say they will bravely dodge bombs to cast their vote next week, has been played by thousands of people.

Karachi-based journalist Jahanzaib Haque created the game “It's election time in Pakistan: Go rich boy go!” ten days ago on April 21, 2013.

The months leading up to the 2013 elections have been rigged with violence, dozens of people have been killed in bombings targeting campaigns, rallies and crowded places. Last month the Pakistani Taliban warned voters and vowed to step up attacks against secular politicians.

About half of Pakistan's 84 million registered voters are under 30 and will be heading to the polls for the first time. An increasing number of young and educated Pakistanis have started to show an interest in politics by attending political rallies and voicing their opinions on Facebook and Twitter. Sarah Munir, a young Pakistani blogger based in Karachi writes:

in the past four months something changed. The conversation steered from what others had done to what we were going to do. We started listening, talking, exchanging views, discussing plans and the most dangerous of all, believing. We started talking about who we were going to vote for and why.

But the Facebook generation is often considered cut-off from the real youth of Pakistan, most of whom have no access to the Internet. On his personal blog Haque explains his motivation behind creating the game:

When I came up with the idea of writing a text adventure based around the Pakistan elections, I had no idea the game would go beyond my small circle of friends, much less get thousands of plays, leading to a mobile app version, and even more plays.

Hosted on a text adventure website, the game's homepage explains:

You're rich, you're privileged and high on democracy in an ultra-poor, ultra-conservative society! Are you ready to vote in the urban badlands of ol’ Pakistan? Screw the terrorists, and damn the summer heat – its time to get your vote on.

At the start of the game, Haque breaks down the scenario of the upcoming adventure: “It's election day! You wake up in the morning, excited about going to vote because all your friends on Facebook say they are going too!”. (Facebook is the most frequently visited website in the country.)

Next up you have to decide if you want to take a friend, a date or your guard [note: most upper income households employ private security guards in Pakistan]. If you chose to take your friend or “best buddy Omar (metal head and hipster)”, your first obstacle turns out to be a parent:

Your mom blocks your path. She looks pretty agitated, clutching a copy of today's paper with the headline: Taliban Plan to Bomb all Polling Stations, Especially Those in Urban Rich-Folk areas

“There is no way I am letting my son go off on a suicide mission and get himself killed voting for a bunch of vultures in an election that won't change one thing about Pakistan!” your mom says firmly.

What do you say? [click on one of the three options to proceed to next round]

(Lie) I'm going to hang out with my friends

You're right. There is no point voting mom.

I'm off to vote!

In a review on the site, filmmaker and blogger Karachi Khatmal writes:

Its tough to decide what's better about this game – a largely accurate description of elite bewilderment at the social and bureacratic mechanisms of Pakistan, or the fact that it's extremely fucking funny.

Haque also runs a popular Facebook page called Jay Toons, where political satire and cartoons come together. Another reviewer writes:

The humor was sometimes a little too dark for my taste (killing children) [sic], but the story felt “real” and at the same part totally crazy. I learned something about pakistan, too, and learning while having fun in a game is the best kind of learning.

Pakistan's British Council recently released a report on young voters in the country, which the newspaper Express Tribune says really drives home that “this is a generation that has been scarred by terrorism, inflation and instability, and yet its members still plan to vote.”

Pakistan's elections, the first democratic transition of power in the political history of the country, are scheduled for May 11, 2013.

Pakistan: Sorry Mobile Users, No Service!

Sahar Habib Ghazi — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:37:44 +0000

Pakistan-based Internet access advocacy group Bolobhi releases a timeline with details of the 12 times mobile services were suspended in the country since April 2012.

(more…)

Ahmadis Boycott Upcoming Elections in Pakistan

Salman Latif — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:51:56 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

The Ahmadi community in Pakistan, comprising of 200,000 members, has decided to boycott the upcoming elections. The decision has been taken to protest the state's discrimination towards the community. They have been boycotting the election process since 1985 when Ahmadi voters were put in the list of religious minorities.

Back in 2002, Pakistani government decided to issue separate list of voters for the Ahmadis. These lists, updated and published by the Election Commission of Pakistan for May 11 elections, contain addresses of the Ahmadi community members. In the past, a number of attacks have been launched on properties owned by Ahmadis. So the list of addresses puts the community members at a great risk.

The white in Pakistan's flag denotes minorities.
Image Courtesy: Ahmeddiya Times

Commenting on this state of affairs, a notable Pakistan blogger Kidvai wrote a post titled ‘What – Me Worry?’‘ where he wrote:

Ahmadis cannot freely vote in Pakistan due to the discriminatory processes introduced in the election related laws which climaxed during the regime of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf. He bowed to Islamists’ demands (as did Z A Bhutto!) and issued a Presidential Executive Order, effectively barring Ahmadis from participating in the election process. The Executive Order No. 15 of 2002 excluded Ahmadis from the country's joint voter roll, requiring they be registered on a supplementary voter roll, and necessitated that Ahmadis must sign a declaration to renounce their faith in Islamic tenets.

Pak Votes (@PakVotes), an elections monitoring initiative, recently kickstarted a Twitter discussion on the issue. The account posted on April 22:

@PakVotes: Some 200,000 members of Ahmadi community will boycott election in protest at their treatment by the authorities. #PakVotes via. @dawn_com

In response, one of the users launched a tirade of abusive comments towards the Ahmadi community. He (@iAtifAli) wrote in one of his tweets,

@iAtifAli: @PakVotes @dawn_com Acha Hua.. Inn par Lanat ho Khuda ki .. inkee zarurat b nahee hay (That's great. God's curse be on these people, we don't need them.)

Sadly, this behavior is reflected in a majority of Pakistan's population. Ahmadis are deemed as non-Muslims and often have to suffer violence at the hands of the general population. In the past, a number of such incidents have been highlighted by citizen journalists. However, state seems either incapable or unwilling to attend to the issues.

Imran Khan recently stated that his party, PTI, would work to safeguard the rights of the minorities and would provide equal rights to everyone. According to him, PTI stands for justice for everyone. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Khan can live up to these claims given his party's right wing leanings.

What if Watertown was Droned?

Sahar Habib Ghazi — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:05:55 +0000

At 7:15pm, the low buzz of a drone was heard overheard. Seconds later, an enormous explosion engulfed the area, destroying the boat and several nearby homes. Sources say 46 Watertown residents were killed in the missile strike, including 12 children.

……

Of course, that's not what happened. But if it did, wouldn't we find it unconscionable? If so, then why are Americans okay with our government doing this to people in other countries?

A hypothetical narration of a drone targeting the Boston Marathon bombing suspect in Watertown by an American Facebook user based in San Francisco, has gone viral amongst Pakistani Facebook users. Within 24 hours the post was shared more than 5000 times and generated hundreds of comments.

(more…)

Private Guards for Pakistani Candidates

Rezwan — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:04:03 +0000

Chowrangi blog reports that considering the deteriorating law and order situation and pre-election violence the Election Commission of Pakistan has allowed candidates to keep five civilian bodyguards with licensed arms during the ongoing Election 2013 campaign.

Blood on the Road to Pakistan's Elections

Salman Latif — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:58:12 +0000

This post is part of our Special Coverage Pakistan Votes 2013.

A suicide bombing, a grenade attack and a remote-controlled explosion - all in one day.

Nineteen people were killed in three separate incidents targeting candidates of three different political parties. April 16, 2013 was a bloody day for Pakistan's election campaigners.

Samad Khurram (@SamadK), an active Twitter user from Pakistan said:

@SamadK: Ghulam Bilour (ANP), Sanaullah Zehri (PML-N) and Zulfiqar Afghani (PPP) attacked today. Can we have elections in this environment?

A suicide bomber struck the secular and largely Pashtun Awami National Party's (ANP) election rally in northwestern Peshawar, killing 15 people. Another 50 were injured, including the party's stalwart Ghulam Ahmed Bilour.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the bombing, which is the sixth attack on the secular party's leaders and candidates in the last month. Earlier this month, Taliban militants warned voters from staying away from polls and vowed to step up attacks against secular politicians.

Violence in South Waziristan: Election office of independent candidate Abdul Khaliq blown up by militants. Image courtesy Pak Votes (11/4/2013)

The ANP is one of the few political parties to have openly condemned the Taliban in Pakistan. Marvi Sirmed (@MarviSirmed), who is a prominent social activist, tweeted:

@MarviSirmed: Salute to #ANP for still standing up to terrorist of #TTP and all their supporters wherever they are #Media #politicalParties #establishment.”

Bilour's brother, another party leader was killed in a suicide bombing late last year.

Hoor F. Khan (@HooviK), a 23-year-old supporter of the political party Pakistan Tehrik-e- Insaaf (PTI) tweeted:

@HooviK: How much more pain will the #Bilours endure? vote nai dena, na dou, jan tho na lo zalmo [if you don't want to vote, don't, stop taking lives you cruel people] #ANP #PTI #PPP #PMLN

The ANP has now issued instructions for its candidates to restrict their electioneering and avoid “holding processions and public gatherings in the open.”

This is a screenshot from Pakvotesmap.pk highlighting incidents of elections-related violence. Used with permission of Pak Votes

In the same city, a grenade was thrown at a Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) candidate Zulfiqar Afghani's house, luckily no one was injured. Pak Votes, a citizen journalism initiative documenting and mapping election related violence on a Ushahidi platform tweeted:

@Pak Votes: Hand-grenade attack on Peshawar NA-1 PPP candidate Zulfiqar Afghani. No one harmed in the attack #PakVotes

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Muslim League (N) candidate Sanaullah Zehri's convoy was bombed by remote control, killing four in southwestern Khuzdar city, Balochistan province. Zehri escaped unhurt but his son, nephew and brother died in the attack.

A separatist group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Commenting on the attacks, Political analyst Adnan Rasool (@adnanrasool) stated:

@adnanrasool: First it was Sanaullah Zehri who lost family .. then it was Ghula Bilour who narrowly escaped an attack.. we need to be united against terror.

These attacks are a rather grim premonition of the elections which are still three weeks away. They also put the nature of these elections in question, with many citing that in such circumstances, free and fair elections seem virtually impossible. Pakistani journalist and columnist Huma Yusuf (@HumaYusuf) tweets:

@HumaYusuf: For those who say militancy is a fringe problem in #Pakistan; is it still fringe if it skews election results? #PakVotes #ANP #Peshawar

Pakistan's elections, the first democratic transition of power in the political history of the country, are scheduled for May 11, 2013.

Christian Colony Attacked In Pakistan

Rezwan — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:15:43 +0000

Raza Habib Raja at Pak Tea House describes how another Christian colony had been attacked in Gujranwala, Punjab in Pakistan using the same rhetoric – revenge for alleged “Insult to Islam”.

Violence Can Disrupt Pakistan Elections 2013

Rezwan — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 12:01:20 +0000

Raza Rumi at jahane Rumi discusses about the strong possibility of violence during the impending Pakistan 2013 elections.

Egyptian Comedian Accused of Pakistan Insult

Amira Al Hussaini — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:26:39 +0000

Satirist Bassem Youssef tweets:

A new investigation started against me accusing me of: insulting Islam(again), spreading atheism & insulting Pakistan #LOL

He was recently accused of insulting Islam and Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi in his TV programme El Bernameg [The Programme]. The court rejected the lawsuit.