There was a time when people
discussed the traits of fine leadership and talked about Benazir Bhutto; even
after her death she remained a big part of our every day discussions;
especially whenever our not so respected president begged for money and aid
from other countries with her picture on his rostrum or in his hands. While
humiliating, it was a lesson learnt; you can even win the highest claimed position
of a country, presidency, with mere sympathy votes.
Then came the time when Fahmida
Mirza became the first woman national speaker of Pakistan. She also holds the
highest ranked political position in Pakistan today. She was much praised and regarded by the politicians
and people of Pakistan until her husband stole the show. Her image also
tattered when she gave a ruling against the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Whether
her decision was constitutional or not, that is another debate.
Hina Rabani khar with her Birkin
bag, Roberto Cavalli shades and classic pearl jewelry became the talk of the
town and the media as soon as she touched the ground in India for indo-Pak
dialogues. She was the most talked about woman for some time as the Indian
media gave full coverage to her accessories and her fashion outlook. Her looks
and fashion choices cannot mar the fact that she is the first woman Foreign
minister of Pakistan and also the youngest to hold this important position. To
be at such a powerful position and to retain it, one must have great qualities
of leadership, persuasion, commitment to excellence and communication as the
powerful means.
Pakistani media has changed it
course several times over the last few years. From advocating the rights of
women to the constant political upheavals and then the most popular Veena Malik
stepped into the spot light and everything else went into the background. From
molvis to political talk show hosts; everyone discussed her prominent presence in
the reality game show named ‘Big Boss’ at length. They condemned her openly yet
claimed that she did a good deed by making a non-Muslim perform Muslim prayer.
She again hit the papers when some
of her topless pictures from a famous Indian magazine hit the internet. She was
denounced as completely immoral and the images as anti-patriotism. She has again
become the most talked woman of Pakistan by appearing as a TV host for a
special telecast for Ramadan programs (though she was banned from Pakistani
media because of her last appearance on TV at Nadia Khan’s show). Whether or
not she is a good Muslim is not for us to decide but her makeup clad modern
outlook with glycerin teary eyes could make anyone curse her and feel
nauseated. She is an active part of Pakistani media and as a celebrity she has
done no more than what other actresses have done to attract attention towards themselves.
She is bold; she is aggressive and knows how to respond to her adversaries and
that is what makes everyone watch her shows and interviews. Unlike Saima, Reema,
Sana and Zara sheikh she had no God Father in the film industry despite of this
she has made a name for herself in India and Pakistan. She should be
appreciated and applauded for taking a stand in what she believes.