Even though Pakistan is bleeding from terrorism and suicide bombings, no mainstream , pop music artist has come close to condemning or questioning the spread of militancy through music and lyrics. A recent video from The New York Times highlighted this issue, showing how pop acts such as Ali Azmat and Noori were keeping quiet on the subjects of terror, religious extremism, and the Taliban, while railing against America through their songs. In this context, 25-year-old Daniyal Noorani‘s debut effort ‘Finding Heaven,’ which was released on YouTube a few days ago, is encouraging. The daring single takes the Taliban and religious extremists head on, creating quite a buzz online. Dawn.com speaks with Noorani to find out what prompted him to fill the ideological vacuum in our music scene.
Last weekend I finally managed to get my hands on the DVD versions of two Pakistani films that I had once seen on the big screen many years ago, and was looking to do the same again, but this time in the privacy of my TV lounge. I went looking for them after a friend and I discussed the possibility of finding the cultural roots of what grew into mainstream socio-political extremism and myopia in Pakistan. Continue reading →
Kashmir Broadcasting Corporation suddenly suspended its satellite transmissions globally after one year of success broadcasting.This incident is most unfortunate and shows a lack of financial backing for independent TV in a climate of global recession.There was no official confirmation of this interruption. Continue reading →
(courtesy Daily Times – this article was first published.Sir Cam was the Guest columnist for Bradistan from Mela 2003.Dil Nawaz’s comments and updates for2008 will appear within brackets 2009 Mela will be held on weekend of 13th and 14th of June 2009)
Here in was a mighty fusion of cultures: Eastern, Western, English, Pakistani, Indian, African, Arab and others — a potpourri of sounds, smells, and sights Continue reading →
Tariq Mehmood is a broadcaster, writer and filmmaker. His first two novels are both set in Bradford UK. He has published two illustrated books for children.
Tariq co-directed the award winning documentary Injustice. He is the editor of Sangi, the only magazine in his mother tongue, Pothowari in UK. Tariq and Rock musician Aki Nawaz host the Political Show “The Point” in UK on sky satellite 836. Tariq is visiting Pakistan to cover current political situation. Continue reading →
A group of young firebrand revolutionaries – alas what an alien word it has become these days – has created this fabulous music video. The inspiration is a poem by Habib Jalib called “Musheer” (advisor) that Jalib composed as a satire against Hafiz Jalandari during Ayub Khan’s era. As the man on the guitars, Taimur Rahman says, “It is equally valid today”.
The vocalist is “comrade” Shahram Azhar and Mrs Rahman is in the background. Of course the trio are activists of the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party. Taimur Khan helped them produce it. I must say that Shahran’s voice is quite soothing.
At least the Left is not dead in Pakistan – we need plural voices against neo-liberalism for an egalitarian and more just Pakistan. A detailed introduction is below: Continue reading →
“I was very disturbed after watching the video that Geo and Dawn TV have been airing, where the Lahore bomber runs over a guard to enter the building gate. It is such a traumatic video. DAWN TV went ahead and showed it in slow-motion. This was all without any warnings for disturbing content.
While I know PEMRA regulations are ridiculous, there has to be some form of third party accountability system that makes guidelines, if not rules, about what is worth printing and airing and what’s not. We’ve all seen the pictures of dead mutilated bodies in Jang and other newspapers. While there’s no way to determine what’s right or wrong, at least there should be a body of people (civilians) who can talk about where the media should draw the line — what’s responsible journalism? PEMRA has ruined any scope for dialogue but the civil society should do something about this. In a country where we are fighting for all sorts of freedoms, we all (at least in this group, I hope) realize that freedom comes with responsibility. We need to make sure that media outlets realize that too.
I’m not sure if there’s an NGO or some other institution working on this issue, or if we have something like the Society of Professional Journalists in Pakistan. If someone knows any such institution, please let me know and I would love to work with them. If not… we should do something. I just can’t seem to get that image out of my head… and what about the families of that person who died?
The point here is not to start a discussion about whether or not showing that image was right. The point is, people should be talking about where the media should draw its line… In fact, such a discussion would be worthy even for the judiciary to determine, concerning its role should be only for checks and balances.
I was disturbed and thought I should share my anguish.”
Here is the video that Afshan is talking about – this is disgraceful and almost akin to glorification of terror as an instrument.
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امریکہ کے ایک ترجمان نے کہا ہے کہ شام میں دیگر ممالک کے لوگوں کی طرح پاکستانی باشندے بھی موجود ہیں لیکن اُنھیں یہ نہیں معلوم کہ وہ دولتِ اسلامیہ کی مدد کر رہے ہیں یا نہیں۔
کراچی میں ایم کیو ایم کی جانب سے دفاتر پر چھاپوں اور کارکنوں کی حراست کے خلاف شہر میں دھرنے دیے جا رہے ہیں جبکہ ایم کیو ایم نے بطور احتجاج سندھ اسمبلی کے اجلاس کا بائیکاٹ کر دیا ہے۔
ایم کیو ایم کے سربراہ الطاف حسین نے کراچی میں اپنی جماعت کے دفتر پر رینجرز کے چھاپے اور کارکنوں کی گرفتاری کی مذمت کرتے ہوئے جنرل راحیل سے مطالبہ کیا ہے کہ فوج کو سیاست سے نکال لیجیے۔
