Intellesctuals Corner

• BY ALI KHAN TAREEN https://www.facebook.com/UROOJ.RIAZZ Why Not Pakistani?
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  Liking and adapting other’s culture and traditions are always a favorite hobby of many Pakistanis. Not because our culture is weak, but we have much opportunity to watch other’s mores. Pakistani culture has every thing that a nation is proud of. I can write many pages on our civilization and traditions but, this is not my topic right now. The Point I am trying to highlight is role of our government and policy makers, it seems that promoting our culture was not the goal of our higher authorities. Therefore they have given a green signal to the concern department to do what they want to do, who cares the values.

  In this era, Media is considered the key factor of promoting the customs of their Nation. It also has power to build a soft Image of their People through their Dramas, Films and Music. Unfortunately our neighbor Country’s Media has succeeded in this task. It is true that the some cultural factors like Language, attire and food are similar in Both Pakistan and India. But there is major difference in religion and values. When the cable TV, dish and FM radio were not common things in Pakistan, our elders tried to find Indian door darshan and all India Radio for “Geet Mala”, it happened at least once in a week. And they became very pleased to get that. By the way, I was too young at that time. As I was growing, Cable TV and Internet also becoming common In Pakistan. After arrival of Cable TV, Pakistani People has got unlimited access to Watch Indian and western culture through their Media. Ladies started to watch Star plus, soni TV and zee TV for Dramas, male preferred zee News for current affairs and News, youngsters have got MTv, B4u and Star Movies. Similarly our nation started forgetting the classic Dramas of PTv, outstanding Programs of NTM and the heart touching Music of Pakistani Bands and Singers.

  In 2001, a Military Ruler (Parwaiz Musharaf) banned the Indian Channels. He gave permission to Pakistani private Channels to operate in the country. As the Pakistani Channels came, the hope of reviving our Culture also expected at that time, but, instead of following our traditions, Media Houses started to produce Star plus Type of Soaps and Zee TV type of Programs. After sometime, they realized that our own Dramas and Programs are much better than Indian.

  Including me, many people were satisfied on this move of our Media. I was Very Happy to see the progress of our Drama Industry. But who knew about “ISHQ-E-MAMNOON”. (A Turkish Soap) This Drama changed the mind of our people and encouraged Media Owners to buy Dramas from the Turkish Market, dub it in Urdu, and air in the primetime. Now-a- days, every Private Channel is having the Turkish Fever, giving air time to that type of dramas. Turkey has very advance culture, like other European countries, low cut dresses, drinking, hugging & kissing are very common thing in their Dramas. But these dramas are still being aired on our channels without any censor which is against our values. If this fever will continue, it is likely to destroy our drama Industry. But who cares, we are very fond of ignoring our own traditions. As we have done with our Music Industry. As I am a Broadcaster and I also run my own web Radio “Sabkasath”, I know that majority of listeners want to hear fresh Music. But, because of low production of local music. Unfortunately I hardly get any new Pakistani song to play on our Radio channel. Therefore willingly or unwillingly we have to air the foreign content. After seeing the Turkish Dramas on Our TV Channels, I am afraid that our Drama Industry may avoid producing new dramas and Televisions will face the same issues in the near future
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