Lawn Crazy Nation

Lawn Crazy Nation…….Stuck by a communicable disease

HSY, Sana Safinaz, Veenaza Ahmed, Gull Ahmed, Yasir Waheed, Mausummery, Warda etc etc if you are not familiar with these names then what the hell you are doing on earth! Few days back I went for shopping (not in search of any designer lawn) because I am quite comfortable wearing lawn from a pathan sitting outside a shop or on footpath, provided I like the design and color.

Coming back to lawn craziness, the designer outlet was badly packed with ladies and it was a sight to watch how ladies were pushing each other and shouting to get hold of their favorite print. And interestingly no one was bothered or interested even to talk about price. All were interested in catching the best print before any one else take away with it. Therefore (with lots of courage) when I dare to ask “price” (as an odd one out) the sales man looked at me as if I asked for some banned thing. He was stunned at my question and I was like OK!

The lawn craziness has taken over our ladies like a storm or it is like a tsunami you have no choice other then being hit by it willingly or unwillingly. Or we can say it is a contagious disease no one can escape it. And with every passing day “lawn craziness” is increasing.

Isn’t it amazing how a simple lawn (few years back) has now become symbol of showing your wealth,….a status symbol. A lawn has now become yardstick to measure your status in society and a tool to identify you designer sense. If you are wearing HSY, Sana Safinaz, Veenaza Ahamed then you are in “A”category and you belong to very high class.

How a simple lawn has now become a luxury. The changing trend in designer lawn reaches to such an extent that now days “designer lawn” are properly launched with release and launching date, along with full marketing strategies....WOW!

What else to say…………we are “lawn crazy nation”!

Mariam Khan

Children of lesser God……We Civilians

Children of  lesser God……We Civilians

Military Thinking……A mindset

Military thinking is a mindset, very different from the civilian thinking and approach. Their thinking and life is limited to “orders”…they gave orders and take orders (their entire life) and interestingly without any logic. From the beginning, they are program in a way that keeps them alien to the civilian life style and keeps them restricted to the protected boundaries of their compound. Moreover, within the boundaries they are taught “how to rule” the “civilians”.

 There is an immense gap and difference between civilians and military men. Therefore, whenever a dictator mind clashes with the democratic mind, the situation becomes worst. Because a dictator mind (in its obstinacy), set rules which are beyond the acceptance of a democratic mind. In addition, it is one of the reasons of country’s political instability. Military intervention has always hampers the free democratic system, has always disturbed, and stopped the smooth flow of democratic system.

According to military beliefs, civilians are children of lesser God, so they (military) have all rights to disrespect them or ridicule them for any reason or most of the time without any reason.

 Whereas they (military men) are the blessed creatures of God. Therefore, they are the superior creatures and they made laws for others to follow. They are not answerable to anyone, but they can question anyone any time, about anything. 

But in their pride they have forget something, that people will respect them till they keep us protected from the dangerous coming from the borders but their dictatorship will not be tolerated  if they  try to draw or create boundaries within the country and between civilians and military. Because law is same for all, be it uniform clad man or man without uniform. Bottom line is no one is above law and we all should respect it.

Therefore, democracy how shams or shallow it may be is far better than dictatorship. Military rule wants everything to be regimented but human beings are not programmed to be regimented all the time. They need freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of movement, freedom of action. You cannot rule everyone all the time.

 

The need is to abolish the current mindset of the military otherwise wait for dire consequences from the rebellious civilians.

Mariam Khan

Social Media………….. Pity For PTI

 

 Social Media………….. Pity For PTI

The recent hacking or the sudden disappearance of all PTI Facebook pages left its supporters, lovers, and followers in a state of disbelief and denial. Because Facebook is their only strength on social media as PTI’s focus was always to attract large number of fans for PTI but only on Facebook.

However, the real shocker for PTI (so called) professionals at social media, came in the shape of an interesting and innovative activity on twitter started by “awam” ….the supporters of PML(N).

Today PTI’s real strength and their social media strategies were badly exposed once again. How? An activity started on twitter that lasted for two hours with the title “#PityForPTI”. It remained as third worldwide Trending Topic for 20 minutes and Top Trending Topic for an hour in Dubai and for two hours in Karachi. These nerve-wracking statics once again left PTI’s social media professionals in a state of shock, more than the hacking of its Facebook pages.

However, surprisingly there were only few people representing PTI on twitter to counter it but they lack logic as always. PTI supporters did not come up even with their trade mark i.e. “abusive language and comments”. Twitter was all-calm today from PTI lovers. Why?

How could we expect a revolution, or tsunami (to be more appropriate) from a party whose strength and power is limited to a single forum of social media i.e. Facebook.  Is not it a pity for PTI and its die-hard supporters? 

Nevertheless, with the activity named “#PityForPTI” it has now become visible (provided you have an eye to see it) that PML (N) support is not limited to only a single forum. Its presence cannot be ignored or denied, be it Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and other social media forums or be it public gatherings etc. PML (N) supporters are everywhere reason being they are the real “awam” and “awam” is present everywhere. PML (N) is modern yet conservative at the same time but truly represents the people of Pakistan.

Mariam Khan

 

We criticize….why?

We criticize….why?  

Why we always critize? Why we are always ready to pour scorn on others, ridicule or insult others? Because we love it, (simple) otherwise it would be arduous for us to start our day without passing few negative remarks about anything or for that matter about everything. This is how we are, sad but true.

I have observed that it is very difficult for us to say a simple word i.e. “good” for others. We cannot praise or appreciate any good work done by anyone. We as a society consider it our moral duty to criticize.

 

To me these social media forums are like criticizing tools. Where, one has the freedom to bash anyone even on personal grounds and interestingly without concrete reasons. Moreover, we take pride in saying “I insulted him/her”. Constructive criticism, difference of opinions and valuing the differences provides nourishment to the mind and enhance “thought process”, but unfortunately we critise just for the heck of it. We disagree to show our importance, knowledge, or power. Moreover, try to impose our views on others.

 

To further, clarify my stance, very recently, the laptop provision initiative taken by CM Punjab was badly misinterpreted i.e. he is doing all this for political mileage. In the age of technology no one can make you fool so be rational about things. People criticize him even for making “Danish School”. Come on give him some break. If you cannot appreciate it, then please do not discourage him as well. Just think for a while who will be benefited from all this? We, our country, our people, who else.

In addition, I am waiting when people will start criticizing CM Punjab for widening the canal road (Lahore). However, everyone can visibly witness the smooth flow of traffic after the reconstruction of the roads. Nevertheless, we dare not to appreciate, because we are not program to appreciate or acknowledge the good efforts.

 

We are ready to challenge “good intentions” of others. But who are we to question the intentions? Who gave us this right to doubt the intentions? Try to learn “how to appreciate” good. Let the positivity prevail.

Mariam Khan

Sorry......You are not welcome

 Sorry......You are not welcome

Knock Knock…before you enter…….it is not your domain….

You have a mic and a camera so you can invade anyone’s privacy.  A big NO…You can enter anyone’s private place since you are media person. Sorry this is beyond the pale. Who gave (media and the host) the right to peep into others life? Peeping into others life is also prohibited in Islam. There are humane and decent ways to discourage a bad act.

I was amazed and felt quite disgusted to see the latest episode of morning show on Sama Tv by Maya Khan. What does she wanted to prove with all this?  That how low people and media can go for “TRPs”.  I was wondering media ethics do really exist.  Alternatively, there are mere myths regarding ethics and laws as far as media is concerned.

 Nevertheless, one thing is for sure freedom of media does not mean to invade others privacy.

The same issue (dating) can be highlighted in a decent and profound manner without disrespecting anyone on national TV, rather the way it was being conducted. It clearly shows the intentions of the channel and program i.e. to gain maximum ratings for their show, nothing else.

  

Almost a year back  another morning show (Geo TV) did a similar publicity stunt the host Nadia Khan tried to malign actress Noor on personal grounds,  and that awful act  to gain ratings turned out to be the reason for the closure of the show and the career of the host.

Discussing social issues on TV, no doubt gave an insight into the problem and its effects. However, conducting a show in this manner definitely has more damaging and adverse effects.

The way twitter and other social media forums were bombarded with comments against the host (Maya Khan) and the channel (Sama Tv) was evident that it was highly unethical act by the concerned responsible people and they should submit a public apology so that in future such unethical and immoral acts can be stop.

Mariam Khan

When Imran “left” PTI!

When Imran “left” PTI!

Pakistan  Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into being almost sixteen years back, with the sole purpose .i.e. justice. However, today now things have change largely in PTI, for good or bad, no idea. Their manifesto was never clear since its birth and now it is even more ambiguous. The shift in PTI’s ideology and vision has raised many questions for the rational minds.  With the entrants of new heavy weights, and turncoats, the party has now turned into just another party of riff rats and opportunists. It seems like Imran has now left his own party. The party we all trusted. The man we all trusted left us like others.

How easily (within one year) Imran compromised on his sixteen years long stance is surprising and worrisome too. Now there is an immense difference between the ideology of 16 years back PTI and current PTI. Unfortunately, PTI is no more Imran’s party.

Is he the same Khan who said that he would never compromise? People like Dr Shireen Mazari and Omer Srafraz Cheema, who were with him through thick and thin are now left out as non-entities. In addition, people like Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sardar Assef Ahmed have taken the key position in the party within few days. Why? How? Unanswered questions.

Imran has said that PTI needs electable. My question is why don’t PTI create electable? Why they have to rely on the tried and tested people (people who did nothing when they were in power).Bhutto never came into power with any of the leftovers. He made his own electable. So why cannot Imran?

Currently it looks like Imran has joined a party of leftovers. Why Imran left PTI, what could be the possible reasons? Is it the establishment using PTI and Imran for its own motives?  On the other hand, Is Mr. Khan is too innocent to comprehend all this? Moreover, very recently the formation of a forward block with the name “PTI Nazaraiti” is much evident that Imran has left PTI.

Imran Khan, the man who chanted slogans of change, justice, and youth. Imran who gave us vision and hope has now fall prey to the same people, people who betrayed us. Sad but true that Imran has left PTI….the party which we all consider a breath of fresh air was unfortunately turned out to be just another party.

Mariam Khan

Slackistan and PTI…common factor!

Slackistan and PTI…common factor!

Why slackistan was banned in Pakistan?

A film by Hammad Khan, not officially released in Pakistan due to censor issues but somehow I manage to get hold of it last year in July,  special screening courtesy origami( a small company) at Ali auditorium, Lahore.

Throughout the movie, I was wondering and looking for the reason of its banning. However, I failed to figure out the reason why it was ban. Though, movie lacks as far as story was concerned. Nevertheless, I would not say it was a bad attempt rather it was a good start.

Later after few days while I was, discussing the movie on social media I was inform that “abusive and foul language” used in slackistan was the main and the only reason for its banning. The question immediately came to my mind was “then what about PTI’s supporters” their abusive comments and language on different forums of social media. Who will check them? No accountability for them? No censorship?

Our censor board very comfortably banned “slackistan” but who will censor the filthy and disrespecting comments and abusive language used by PTI supporters. Is Mr. Khan will take the initiative in this respect? Let us begin the journey of change from PTI. Introduce something concrete to counter this problem. Let PTI the agent of change to come up with solution of the problem, for which they are responsible.

Be it social media, electronic, face to face conversation, seminars, meetings, one thing on which everyone (irrespective of political affiliation) has a consensus that the “behavior, attitude and language” used by PTI supporters is alarming. In addition, very recently Shahzeb Khanzada’s program “to the point” was a revelation. It is no doubt, a good sign that youth is enthusiastic about politics but at the cost of disrespecting other is definitely not a good sign.

Valuing the difference is the key to success. Every individual has a right to express. But freedom of speech and expression with responsibility is important. Unfortunately we do not respect others point of view, rather we try to impose our opinions on others by creating suffocation for others.

Mariam Khan