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 # 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!

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!

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