Stereotype # 21 - Being good at Punjabi makes you a Paindu!

Punjabi is one of the provincial languages of Pakistan and is generally thought of to be extremely loud, and at times a little inappropriate. It's not a mild dialect and could be a bit brash on the ears. One stereotype that seems to be set with the Punjabi language is that it is usually spoken by the rural residents namely, the paindu's! And that a Punjabi speaking person is in no way in tune with the modern residents. However, this stereotypical assumption makes people forget that being fluent in Punjabi does not go against somebody's favor but rather adds in to a person's exceptional skill in being fluent in more than just one language.

Being great at Punjabi does not make one a PAINDU.

Stereotype - Being good at Punajbi makes you a Paindu!   Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 20 – Pakistani’s cannot converse in English

Urdu, being the national language of Pakistan, is spoken by the majority of nationals. The provincial languages of Pakistan too have a tinge of Urdu in them. The locals understand each other and know how to converse with one another in a language they can interpret comfortably. But this does not mean that Pakistani’s have not caught up with the rest of the world when it comes to being fluent in the global language understood by all; English.

English is a language that all Pakistani’s are well aware of. They use it in their day to day lives. Most of the curriculum in Pakistani schools is also taught in the English language. The language has become ingrained as part of the Pakistani culture.  In spite of that, due to the widely held stereotype that Pakistani’s cannot in fact speak English, most foreigners are in awe of an English speaking Pakistani.

The fact of the matter is, we Pakistani’s can defend ourselves in the global front in a foreign language with as much passion and fluency as any other English-speaking non-Pakistani! English is NOT our national language. But we have a grasp of it and that itself is an achievement!

Stereotype – Pakistani’s cannot converse in English.    Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 19- No freedom of expression in Pakistan

Since most people take Pakistani’s to be extremely intolerant and disagreeable, it is automatically assumed that they cannot stand a differing point of view. However, this is another stereotype that has caught on and is now associated with Pakistan on a usual basis.

The truth is, Pakistani’s are not out to get each other. Sure, they have differences of opinion every now and then but this should not be taken as sheer hatred for the other with opposing views. We don’t roam around ready to hurl abuses at someone who does not go with what we have to say. The reality is far from what is seen out front.

Stereotype – No freedom of expression in Pakistan.   Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 18 – Pakistani’s are biased and unjust

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against.”

While we may be in the news for waging wars and snatching away the rights of others, there are many among us who are working day in and day out to quell this negative assumption about Pakistani’s. There are many among us who take all as one with no divisions on the basis of sects, religions, caste or creed. There are many among us who pray for harmony and peace every day of their lives. And there are many among us for whom being just is a natural course that they must take.

Stereotype – Pakistani’s are biased and unjust.   Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 17 – A Lazy Nation

Often times, Pakistani’s are mistook for being lazy, disinterested in anything they do and useless to the point where they can’t even get their work done on time. While this is claimed with absolute conviction, what is ignored is the colossal willpower and hard work that is possessed by most Pakistani’s. They jump to accomplish any task at hand and then finish it to the point of perfection. Pakistani’s are great at what they do as long as they set their mind to it. Hand them over a challenge and they’ll make sure they get to the bottom of it by giving it all that it takes!

Stereotype – A lazy Nation.   Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 16 - Male Chauvinism in Pakistan

Pakistani men are usually mistook for being complete chauvinists who push aside the women in their lives and take all the glory! However, this is a stereotype that needs serious busting. Pakistani men may be more protective or may have a more practical approach when it comes to women but quite often, these gestures of theirs are mistook for being misogynistic. It is wrong of us to generalize all the Pakistani men in the same category. 

Ali, a student of A'levels tries to clear the air with these words, "If I'm asking a woman to stay as far away from something as possible, its not because I don't want the best for her. It is only because I know how bad the world can get and how badly she may be harmed. Why is my protectiveness being taken for misogynism?"

This stereotype is not just held by people all over the world but also within Pakistan. It is just something that people have accepted as part of the Pakistani society. Which is why, even men who are far from being chauvinists are blamed for being ones!

Maybe it is time for us all to cut Pakistani men some slack!

Stereotype - Male Chauvinism in Pakistan.    Status = BUSTED!

Here's Mia. Her Dad is not a chauvinist!

Stereotype # 15 - Pakistani's are extremely intolerant!

Why is it that in most cases, the majority supersedes and gets to have a dominant say in most matters but when it comes to negative ideas/thoughts/stereotypes, the views of the minority seem to spread like wildfire. A limited set of people end up making things difficult for everyone.

The intolerant beliefs of the people and the negative actions of a few are more publicly reinforced, while the major chunk of Pakistan that does not wish harm on anyone is sidelined to the extent that people start questioning whether tolerant Pakistani's do in fact exist or not.

Here is the reality,

Not everyone in Pakistan is on a spree to target those whose religious views differ from theirs. Generally, people from the various sects and religions live within the same locality in peace and with no disagreements what-so-ever. It is the blood game that has been going on in Pakistan that ultimately makes it difficult for Pakistanis to live in harmony.

Pakistan came into existence keeping the rights of the minority sects in mind. The minorities in Pakistan have as much right on the country as any Pakistani Muslim. Pakistan is their home too and to say that all Pakistani's are intolerant to the point where they cannot accept other religions, is wrong and stereotypical.

So here's busting the stereotype!

Stereotype - Pakistani's are extremely intolerant!   Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 14 - Pakistani women are mild and timid

Absolutely not. Pakistani women have ventured into careers that had been tagged as unimaginable and unsuitable for women in the past. They have managed to challenge the stereotypical notion that a woman's place is in the kitchen. Every other day, by displaying acts of sheer magnanimity and bravery, Pakistani women show the world that they are in no way inferior to their counterparts.

Pakistani women are more vocal about their views than ever before. They are opinionated and aware of what is happening around them. They are out to make a difference, no matter how big or small. They no longer remain confined to their homes but rather, explore all avenues.

Pakistani women are now into the armed forces, finance, media, politics, legislation - you name it!

Women world over have to work twice as hard as the men to prove that they are equally good. Pakistani women do not let anything or anybody get in the way of what they want to achieve. Be she a mother, daughter, friend or sister, a Pakistani women knows how to beat the odds and reach the pinnacle!

Stereotype - Pakistani women are mild and timed. Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 13 - Say what?

Yes, we know how to party!

I have the right to choose!

"Because being a Pakistani does not mean that I don't have the right to choose!"

Stereotype # 12 - Pakistani's have domineering dads!

A Strict dad? No way!

Stereotype # 11 - Pakistani's are not humane towards animals!

Just because they say that 'a country that doesn't value human life can hold no possible love for animals' does not mean that they are right.

Pakistanis love their pets. Pakistan has countless Animal Rights Organizations working for the cause of homeless strays. Pakistani's speak up on animal rights and they have as much places in their hearts for a pet dog/cat/fish as any other person from the rest of the world would have for their pets!

Stereotype - Pakistani's are not humane towards animals. Status = BUSTED!

I Adore my Indian Friends!

Pakistani's and Indians have the potential to form beautiful friendships.

I Smile!

Showing off the biggest smile ever while busting the stereotype - Angry Pakistani's!

Stereotype # 10 – An American would be treated horribly in Pakistan

It may sound funny to many but most Americans feel that if they enter Pakistan, they would be tracked down and killed by the terrorists. Pakistan is not considered a safe country by all accounts, however, it’s not like gun toting maniacs are roaming the streets at all times.

Foreigners are discouraged by their own respective countries for travelling into areas that may be threatening to their lives. But those who are in fact curious about the country and end up visiting it; enjoy their trip and the various cultural festivities that the country has to offer to the most.

Pakistan is not all that the media portrays it to be. Pakistanis are peace loving and hospitable people, always open to welcoming their guests and giving them a thorough insight of the heritage and the traditions that they are extremely proud of.

Unlike what is shown on the television, an American visiting Pakistan will not be hated by the general public but treated like any other person visiting Pakistan for the first time.

So here’s busting the stereotype for the love of the promotion of Pakistan tourism. :D

Stereotype – An American would be treated horribly in Pakistan. Status = BUSTED!

I Love Bollywood!

I Listen to Linkin Park!

Stereotype # 9 – Oh, so you’re from India? Right?

Wrong. I am from Pakistan. Indian and Pakistan are two different countries located however, on the same continent. We may all be Asians, yes. But calling Pakistanis, Indians is geographically incorrect! People from both sides of the border look alike in some ways. Most would mistake one from another. However, like India and Pakistan are alike in many ways, they are very different in a lot of other ways too.

Pakistanis would take offense to being called an Indian. The two countries may have been one at one point, but ever since 1947, they have both gone their separate ways. They have separate agendas, contrasting mindsets and completely different residents. The biggest distinguishing factor that may be very confusing for the non-Pakistanis is the language of the natives of both the countries. While both Pakistanis and Indians can tell in a second if it’s Hindi or Urdu that is being spoken, for the non-Pakistanis, both the languages sound exactly the same.

Here a Step-by-Step guide on how foreigners can save themselves from the embarrassment of calling an Indian, a Pakistani and a Pakistani, an Indian:

Step 1: Ask them where they are from instead of guessing.

Step 2: Ask them their favourite food. If you are lucky, a Pakistani would name a meat dish and an Indian, a veg-dish. IF YOU ARE LUCKY, that is. (This step may have a 10 % error ratio)

Step 3: Do not ask them about their state/province/city before you have guessed their nationality. This might confuse you since some places in Indian and Pakistan have the same names. For example: Punjab, Hyderabad.

Step 4: Do not stat a discussion with them on their historical background as a way to cleverly guess their nationality. Both the countries share the same history.

Step 5: Start the conversation by asking them a quick question. Gandhi or Jinnah? Both the natives are very sentimental about their national heroes. An Indian would most certainly say Gandhi, while a Pakistani would say Jinnah. (This step has a 100 % success rate)

Step 6: Do not start a discussion with them on movies. I repeat, do not. Indians would talk about Bollywood. And Pakistanis? Also Bollywood.

Good luck guessing one from the other.

Stereotype – Pakistanis and Indians, one and the same? Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 8 - All Pakistani’s Go for Arranged Marriages!

Here’s what the majority of non-Pakistani’s think about Pakistani weddings.

They are loud.
Involve uncountable relatives/guests/acquaintances/possibly anyone who can make it to the wedding.
The weddings are insanely expensive.
The guests are all dolled up.
The food is lavish.
The ceremonies are exhausting.

And lastly,

The bride and groom are seeing each other for the first time EVER.

Not true. Not all Pakistani marriages involve a beaming Rishta aunty gloating with pride over a match made in heaven. Unlike what the world thinks, Pakistanis do have a say in choosing their better half. Many people go through the whole process of getting to know each other before taking the next step and asking for the respective families to get onboard. No doubt that in order for marriages to succeed, or even happen, the prospective bride and groom have to convince the entire family including the extended never-before-seen relatives that marrying the love of their life is a good idea.

This part of the world is more attuned to arranged marriages; taking them as a guaranteed route to a happy, peaceful and successful married life. However, the Pakistani society is accepting of love marriages too. Matches are made in heaven and most elders, even if they disagree to the match, resign and give their consent eventually; calling it a matter of fate!

More and more people in Pakistan are exercising their right of choosing a life partner. While in the past, men were content in letting their mothers choose a bride for them, the trends have shifted. Pakistani men now need wives that they have mental compatibility with. The same goes for Pakistani women who have a much clearer idea in their heads about the traits of the person that they want to marry.

Things are not the same old traditional in the land of the pure ad a changing mindset is challenging the traditional norms that may seem too repressive for some.

Also, people no longer think that a marriage born out of love does not have the same success rate as a purely arranged one. Add to that, is another fact that may have been misunderstood by those exposed to stereotypes about Pakistan; even the Pakistani arranged marriages involve the consent of the bride and groom right from the beginning till the very end.

In conclusion,

Stereotype - All Pakistanis Go for Arranged Marriages. Status = BUSTED!

The Hands that formed the Bracuza - Pakistan supplies footballs for World Cup 2014! Yay us!

When the World Cup kicks off on June 12, millions will be watching their favourite players in action, be it the ones they follow on the field or ones picked in their dream team.

However, almost 14,000 km away, about 1,400 people will have their eyes glued not on the players but the ball that they will be showing their skills with. Every goal will still get a loud cheer but every minute the ball spends in the middle, the smile will only get wider on those 1,400 faces.

The ball out there in the middle would’ve gone through the hands of those 1,400 – the staff at Forward Sports, the factory in Sialkot (Pakistan) that has co-produced the footballs for Brazil 2014.

“When I used to watch football on television, I never thought that one day I’d be making those with my own hands,” Lubna Shabbir, a quality controller at the factory, told Al Jazeera. “It’s a matter of pride not just for me but the city and the country that a product manufactured here is making its presence felt on a global level.”

Sialkot's comeback

Forward Sports employs around 1,400 workers on its football production line [Faras Ghani/Al Jazeera]

Sialkot first produced a World Cup ball in 1982, during the time of hand-stitching. Brazil 2014, however, will see thermo-bonded footballs, the production of which started in China. However, when demand grew out of control, Khawaja Masood Akhtar, CEO of Forward Sports, stepped in and ensured that the city that once produced 70% of the world’s footballs snatched limelight once again.

“Brazuca was supposed to be made in China alone but the design was so good and response was so overwhelming that Adidas decided to have as second source in order to boost production,” Aziz ur Rehman, Adidas’ Director Sourcing Pakistan, said. “Forward Sports is one of the top notch factories and it was an easy decision to have it as a second source.”

Adidas, the company providing the World Cup footballs since 1970, did not have much time though when the decision was being made.

Challenge accepted

“We were already producing thermo-bonded official footballs for the Champions League as well as Bundesliga so we had the know-how and experience,” Akhtar said. “But for Brazuca, the official ball for Brazil 2014, we had to redesign out production line and develop the machinery.

“We were asked to do some work on this ball in the last week of August. We managed to get the new machinery set up and running in just 33 days. The first shipment for Brazuca was made in November and the last one left our premises in April.”

According to Sialkot Chamber of Commerce President Dr Sarfraz Bashir, the city produces five to six million footballs per year. But the city is known for much more than just footballs. It is a hub for not only sport goods manufacturing but also leather products, surgical goods and wooden crafts, with exports from Sialkot amounting to $1.6bn annually.

Brazuca

The name of the ball was revealed in September 2012 after being selected by a public vote organised by the Local Organising Committee and Adidas. According to FIFA, "the informal term brazuca is used by Brazilians to describe national pride in the Brazilian way of life", and "mirroring their approach to football, it symbolises emotion, pride and goodwill to all".

“Business in Sialkot is booming, people are happy and life is good,” Bashir said. “Majority of households have tv, fridge, motorcycles and cars. People here make enough money to live a decent life. There is no fear of terrorism, people are only concerned about working and earning for their families. Even the literacy rate here in Sialkot is better than the national average.”

The achievement

Sialkot did lose its football-manufacturing share to China few years ago with child labour and lack of technology hampering its production. However, with Sialkot virtually free of child labour – with training and vocational skills provided instead – and the advent of technology in the city, the share is rising once again.

Forward Sports produces around 34,000 footballs per day during peak season. While equal emphasis is placed on every type of product and for every client they have, Brazuca’s presence in the centre circle on June 12 will add that something special to Akhtar and Sialkot.

“It was my dream to be making the ball for the World Cup. Every football manufacturer strives for this honour. Finally, after years of dreaming and hard work, we have converted this into reality.”

Source: Aljazeera Sports News

Stereotype # 7 - Pakistani women are forced to cover themselves

Pakistan is not as repressive as you take it to be. It has evolved to great heights. True that three to four decades back, the Pakistani society was more open and culturally diverse than it is now but things are not on a constant downhill either!

Covering themselves up is a choice that each and every woman has. In fact, many would argue that wearing a Hijab is not in the religion but is a culturally imposed tradition. I don't mean to get into such a debate. But the point here is, women cover themselves if they feel the need to do so and as per their personal choice. They are certainly not forced to do so in this day and age.

However, exceptions exist. In certain families, it's a tradition for their women to cover themselves when they step outdoors. The subsequent women in the family tend to follow the tradition. Conservatives exist everywhere. There's nothing all that bad about it. Just like there's nothing wrong about covering yourself. But unlike what the stereotype implies, women are not punished beyond expectations if they don't happen to wear a dupatta (scarf) on their head!

Some of the more prominent cities of Pakistan are modern, are open to change and enthusiastically welcome the mainstream fashion! The locals here dress however they like and there is certainly no question anywhere over whether women have to cover themselves or not.

If you're taking a set of incidences that prove otherwise, and forming your assumptions on them, then I'm sorry - You're just going along with a stereotype that need serious busting.

Pakistan is fashionable!

Watch out, Paris! Here we come!

Stereotype - Pakistani women are forced to cover themselves. Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 6 - All Pakistani’s live in joint-family systems

There is a general misconception that all Pakistani’s live in a joint family system with no less the 20 family members running the helm of affairs in a particular household at a given time. This concept is reinforced by television dramas and commercial movies that portray big Pakistani families with complicated entangles and dramatic incidences.

Pakistanis are more family-oriented in a way that it has always been a norm for them to meet and greet relatives time and again and in most cases, even live within the same area if not the same household. 

However, the concept of nuclear homes is as embedded in the Pakistani society as the joint family system. People move from their ancestral homes in pursuit of better opportunities, a better lifestyle and a better future for their progeny. It is a norm for residents of rural areas to set up residences in the urban areas. Not all Pakistani homes harbor countless family members.

So if you thought Pakistani households are rampant with bratty children, nagging wives and motherly figures then that is another stereotype that needs busting.

I am a Pakistani and I don’t live in a joint family set-up.

Stereotype - All Pakistani’s live in joint-family systems, Status = BUSTED!

Stereotype # 5: Muslims are terrorists and by that equation, all Pakistani’s are terrorists!

Terrorism is a menace that has plagued various countries world over. Even those that remain sheltered from it, experience its repercussions one way or the other. Some countries have tried to battle it out with force while others are still reeling from the aftermath of a failed military operation against the instigators.

Pakistan suffers from a chronic case of terrorism. There is fear in the hearts of the inhabitants. Every day is a challenge for the populace that has to survive through all the terror against all odds.

While on a national front, they country suffers from the disease of terrorism, there is no respite for Pakistan on the international front too. A Pakistani passport is the worst passport to travel on. Pakistani travelers are meted out with the worst kind of treatment. They are generally scrutinized from head to toe and looked on with suspicion while other travelers may not encounter any discomfort at all.

Reason?

The general misconception that all Pakistani’s happen to be bearded mullahs out to get the infidels!

Well, no. Terrorists commit the acts of terror and leave the label on the entire nation. You see the news, there are bombs, you automatically associate it with every other Pakistani who may be indirectly, if not directly, involved with that particular act of terrorism.

In reality, Pakistanis are as normal as people in all the other very privileged and ‘safe’ countries. We Pakistani’s have the same hopes for the future and the same desire to see our country proper and not to be mud-slinged on an everyday basis.

Here is one Pakistan writing to you in the most normal possible way. There are others not very different from me.

Don’t let one person, one set of people and one particular ideology ruin an entire nation for you.

Stereotype - Muslims are terrorists and by that equation, all Pakistani’s are terrorists!

Status – Hopefully BUSTED! 

Stereotype #4 - Pakistani Protesters are Violent

Pakistan has to deal with a lot of issues on a nearly daily basis. Something or the other seems to go wrong every minute of every day. People turn to streets as an outlet of their anger/frustration. And this is what we see in the media and on the news:

1. People setting fire to tyres/cars/flags/effigies2. Destruction of public property3. Infighting4. Police baton-charging the protestors5. Tear gas/shelling6. A large crowd of people amid chaos

What we don't see:

1. Over a thousand Shia Muslims of Lahore ended on Monday a nearly two-day peaceful sit-in after Islamabad gave in to demands for protection by the Hazara Shias.

(http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/01/14/city/lahore/unaccustomed-to-peaceful-protests-lahoris-praise-shia-resilience/)

2. Peaceful sit-in protests by the families of the victims of Mastung tragedy, Quetta.

(http://tribune.com.pk/story/662371/mastung-tragedy-protests-erupt-in-parts-of-pakistan/)

3. Hand in hand as many as 200-300 people formed a human chain outside the St Anthony’s Church adjacent to the District Police Lines at the Empress Road, in a show of solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar church attack two weeks back, which resulted in over a 100 deaths.

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/08/muslims-form-human-chain-pakistan_n_4057381.html)

4. Hundreds of Sunni Tehreek workers took out a peaceful anti-terrorism rally.

(http://ppinewsagency.com/167171/sunni-tehreek-holds-peaceful-anti-terrorism-protest-rally/)

Enough said.

Stereotype - Pakistani Protesters are Violent. Status = BUSTED! 

Stereotype # 3 - Pakistani women are subservient to men

Quite the contrary.

Pakistani women have always been a force to reckon with. They have dominated the music industry, film industry, political circles and the corporate arena. They have ventured into predominantly male professions like the Armed forces and are more recently, also signing up for odd jobs like Rickshaw driving!

Those who are privileged enough to be studying in good schools and universities are ambitious and are curious about what the future holds besides two sets of children and a husband.

The status of women in Pakistan is not just that of a subservient wife/sister or mother. Each and every woman in Pakistan has an identity of her own. Whether she spends her afternoon proposing a marketing plan or buying the latest lawn outfit.

Pakistani women are colourful, loud, cheery, well-groomed, bossy and even a little obnoxious at times.
They have learnt to stand up for each other. They have self-taught each other the art of defending themselves and the people they call their own.

Pakistani women are super moms, battling nagging relatives and handling bratty children at pretty much the same time.

Pakistani women are smart and they are sporty.

They are independent and self-reliant and can do PhD's, laundry's and diaper changing.

In short, they pretty much rock.

Stereotype - Pakistani women are subservient to men. Status = BUSTED!

PS: Make your own sandwich. :P

I Am Pakistan

I’m Not just Bombs, Poverty & Corruption.
I’m Abdul Sattar Edhi’s Philanthrophy.
I’m Dr. Abdus Salam’s Nobel Prize.
I’m Arfa Karim’s Brilliance.
I'm Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Oscar.
I'm Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Music.
I'm Mala Yousufzai's Intelligence.
I'm Imran Khan's Courage.
I'm Dr. Adeeb Rizvi's SIUT.
I'm The Best Cricket Umpire.
I'm Mehdi Hassan's Ghazal.
I'm Sadqain's Art.
I'm Moeen Akhtar's Proud.
I'm Wasim Akram's Swing.
I'm Pervez Masih's Sacrifice.
I'm Shahid Afridi's Exuberance.
I'm Miandad's Six.
I am Jansher Khan's Consistency.
I'm Saqlain’s & Saeed Ajmal's Doosra.
I'm Fastest Growing IT Industry.
I'm Ever Expandng Middle Class.
I've Fought Dictatorships.
I'm 40,000 Deaths For Global Peace.
I'm Hospitality.
I'm Epitome of Resilience.
I'm the Bravest Nation of the World.

I AM PAKISTAN

Stereotype # 2 - All Pakistani’s Hate Indians

Three words – No we don’t!

Or at least, not all of us do.

Pakistan has a lot in common with India; both being multi-cultural countries that share more than just a common border.

Born just a day apart. The not-so-quite twins!

Natives from both the countries looking almost alike.

Make a Pakistani and an Indian stand shoulder to shoulder and you wouldn’t be able to discern one’s national identity from the other.

No such thing as a communication barrier.

Then how can you possibly hate one of your own?

For Pakistani’s reading this post and bloating with angry, ready to burst and vehemently disagree, here’s the deal. There could be a possibility of you just being indifferent towards India rather than blindly hating on it.

So I repeat, not ALL of us hate India.

We love to groove to the beats of Honey Singh!

All of the latest Indian flicks make Pakistani’s throng to cinemas in hordes!

Our shaadi’s are incomplete without medley dances, Bollywood style!

And this is just the cinematic and musical aspect of our not-so-hateful relationship with India.

I had an opportunity to visit India during my final year in school. As expected, I had been exposed to loads of politicallyand historically motivated BS about India by that time (Courtesy: History Books). However, I crossed the border with as much enthusiastic about India as I would have about visiting any other foreign country for the first time. By the end of the 12-Day trip I had learnt important life lessons. Best of which was, it doesn’t take much to hate on someone, but it definitely takes a lot to like someone who you’ve been taught to hate since pretty much the time you first opened your eyes into this world.  

So in conclusion

India is beautiful, its food is almost as good as ours. :D A little non-veg but with the same tarka and spices! :D

The people there treat you like you’e royalty. I’m pretty sure we don’t get such treatment in any other foreign country.

Pakistani's and Indians have the potential to form beautiful friendships.

And lastly, just like we don’t all hate India, neither do all Indians have Shiv Sena in them.

Hence proved,

Not all Pakistani’s hate Indians.

Stereotype - All Pakistani’s hate Indians. Status = BUSTED!

PS: For those who do in fact hate India, because I am aware that exceptions exist, maybe all you haters could shift yur attitude a bit. How about going with the Plain White T’s “Hate is a strong word, but I really really really don’t like you.” ;)

PPS: We don’t all hate India, but a Pakistan vs. India cricket match and IT IS WAR! :D 

Stereotype # 1 - Angry Pakistani's

We are not a bunch of angry, gun toting maniacs roaming around the streets and spewing hate.

We laugh. We smile. We have some of the biggest hearts around.

We would leave what ever task we have at hand in a second to help a completely random stranger.

Sometimes, we would give you stuff for free just for the heck of it.

It doesn't take a lot to make us happy.

And no matter what happens, we wake up to the next day with brand new smiles and hope in our hearts.

Stereotype - Pakistani's are angry people. Status = BUSTED.

(Photo credits: Humans of Karachi)

Pakistanis: The stuff resilience is made of !

I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing incessantly. While still in the process of retracting myself from the dream-world, I am informed of a movie plan for the following evening. There is no way my friends are missing out on the latest Bollywood blockbuster. As the day proceeds, I can sense optimism all around me. The fruit and vegetable vendors take up their usual spot on the roadside. Every now and then, a car with songs blaring out of the stereo passes by. I can see a tough young man walking his dog while two little girls dressed up in an impeccable school uniform, hop along hand in hand. I may soon hear of some depressing news, a strange new political development or an unlikely event but I see no sign of distress on the outside world. Who could ever guess that a society so trapped in a multitude of problems could display such resilience!

None of us are blind to the daily troubles that surround us. The personal security and liberty of every Pakistani citizen is in shambles.  Our economy is in doldrums, half of the population remains illiterate, poverty is on the rise, and as if all of that wasn’t enough; the public is fed-up of the government’s inefficiencies. Every other day we hear of events that shake up the country but we stand firm, facing the challenges with a brave outlook. Instead of cowering down and cursing our fate, we have learned to not just weather the storm but keep on living strong.

Our cricket team may be losing the most crucial match, but we’d still be glued to our TV screens till the last minute of the game. Tennis may not excite many of us, but we’d swoon to the thought of Aisam-ul-Haq cruising to the Grand Slams Final. We’d hoot with joy at Pakistan making eight world records in a day and we’d rush in hordes to buy the latest lawn print that is all the rage! And when all else would fail, we’d turn to food for consolation; a plate of steaming Chicken Biryani or a dose of Halwa puri would get us through the day. The country may face a momentary security lapse, public places may pose a serious risk to our lives, streets wouldn’t appear safe anymore, but none of this would stop us from enjoying a hot cup of coffee at one of the busiest commercial hubs.

We, as a nation, have so subtly adapted to the environment around us that we don’t let pain conquer us for long. This does not mean that we have become insensitive or immune to the atrocities being committed on a daily basis but rather, we have let the hope in our hearts triumph all the negativity. In spite of the constant threats, our journalists and social activists do not stop raising their voices for the victims of injustice. Sectarian violence has become a norm but there still remain many amongst us who do not hesitate to speak up against this unfair condemnation of the minorities by the society. Just last month, the Sunni community of Gilgit-Baltistan awed the world by their act of gallantry; providing a human shield for the highly persecuted Shia community during one of the 10^th Muharram processions. We have the worst law and order situation, with the crime rate at its highest and frequent bomb blasts tearing through the cities, yet our Police Force stands united in protecting the citizens even at the cost of their own lives. The media, both national and international, may portray Pakistan to be on the verge of failure but the citizens have learnt to brush off the allegations and not let despair get to them.

Living under fear of the unknown diseases has also become a way of life for us Pakistanis. From the outbreak of bird flu, to the dengue menace stretching for months, the fake medicines and now the poisoned cough syrup scam, we have had it all. Once paranoia gets set in a society, it can shake it up to the very bones. However, we have stood against all odds by first suffering, then recovering and finally working to uproot the problem. While the world expects us to break down any minute, we show them that we’re made of stronger stuff and that we’re not going anywhere any time soon.

Not surprisingly, according to the Happy Planet Index (HPT) 2012, Pakistan was termed the 16^th happiest country out of 151 countries of the world. Many would scoff at the findings but we just need to look at the people around us, smiling at and appreciating the little things in life. It’s not always about how wealthy a country is or how it’s waging in the global scenario; sometimes it’s just about a citizen’s simplistic approach towards life. So the next time someone tells you in all seriousness that Pakistan is going down, you tell them that we Pakistanis are resilient enough to rebound!  

(This article was first published on The Express Tribune Blogs on December 15, 2012)

'STEREOTYPE'

Do you know what a 'Stereotype' is?

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Do you know the problem with 'Stereotypes'?

The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the ONLY STORY.

What country suffers most from 'Stereotypes'?

Pakistan?

Think.

Maybe the side of Pakistan that you know of is not the only side that Pakistan is made of.

Maybe the Pakistan that you have heard of has a lot more to offer than what you see on the face of news bulletins and media coverage.

Maybe it is time for you to THINK AND THEN RETHINK.

Maybe it's time for us all to fight off the stereotypes.

Two Sides to a Coin

Every truth has two sides; it is as well to look at both, before we commit ourselves to either.