Over the years, Pakistan has made major efforts to revive its arts and culture. In that process, many Pakistani artists have achieved a great number of accomplishments that are worth celebrating. Yet, every single time the news of a new accomplishment is released to the public, a void of silence and ignorance is displayed on an ongoing scale. How do moments of cultural celebration and pride turn into quiet insecurity? When did the claps and cheers turn into online skepticism? Why does public success invite scrutiny?
Is Instability the Reason?
Perhaps this is all a reflection of the ongoing political and economic instability. In these unstable times, maybe it seems unfair to see a stranger succeed. But why isn’t the wealth inequality of our geographical neighbors hindering the celebration of their own? Moreover, the publicists, the mouthpieces, and the cultural gatekeepers who hinder the process of public reward seem to be doing economically well, at least when compared to others.
So, what is the problem? And why is it a problem? Is this even a problem?
When the global symbol of women’s education, a Pakistani female activist like Malala Yousafzai, is picked apart negatively on a daily basis by intellectuals with platforms, it reflects a broader issue. The question isn’t whether she has spoken up on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East or whether she is an agent of the West. The real question is: why do we pick upon ourselves even when the world celebrates us?
Malala, who has been vocal on the issue of Palestine since around 2014, can be blatantly accused and torn to shreds for her “silence” without any evidence. That is right, we are eager to push back against our own people without any research.
The Criticism of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy:
Indeed, what is bothering us is the voice of public success. That is why we question one of our most esteemed filmmakers, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy: why do you make films on stories that recall horrific acts of crime committed against women in Pakistan?
The two-time Academy Award winner is interrogated and blamed for bringing a negative light to our country, because our morality does not allow us to celebrate the two Oscars she brought to our nation. Indeed, we cannot even screen a film that won at the Cannes Film Festival. We do not have a clear boundary of morality or religion to either support or ignore these moments of cultural success. We hide behind flawed reasoning to be critical—but the only clear pattern here is envy of each other’s success.
The sole existence of those who succeed makes us feel small, and that drives us to react, blame, and disgrace those who attempt to bring grace to our culture. It is a cycle that has repeated for generations, a cycle fueled by our insecurities.
A deeper reflection shows that this behavior can be traced back to our childhood and our way of parenting. A child is first compared with their siblings in behavior, then with cousins in grades, then with friends in mannerisms, and later with colleagues in success. We are mentally breeding our children on comparison, which makes way for envy.
Thus, we create individuals who showcase jealousy, and in doing so, we have conditioned a nation to hate its own. How can an individual, who is taught to always be in a race, celebrate those who have set a new standard in that race?
Ignoring Our Own Achievers:
We have now reached a new level in this cycle, ignorance. Even criticism demands attention, but now we have collectively stopped paying attention to those who achieve.
That is why we often do not publish headlines, interviews, or breaking stories on figures like Taurees Habib and Arooj Aftab. And even if they do make it to the headlines, it is easy to turn the page or mute the volume, our insecurities remain protected.
Indeed, we have turned national heroes into points of comparison rather than sources of pride.
The problem is not a lack of talent or achievement. The problem lies in our response. Until we learn to celebrate our own without comparison, without insecurity, and without doubt, this cycle will continue. If one of us succeeds, it should not feel like a loss for others, it should feel like a victory for all.
About The Author:
“ Mustafa Imran Mehdi”
A passionate writer and student at University of London. Based in Lahore, and originally from Rahim Yar Khan.
More About Author: Mehdimustafa.com
