A critical assessment of #SOCMM12 – Social Media Mela 2012 – by Wusatullah Durrani
Socmm12 brought the accuser and the accused together. Well done.
Related posts: Some pictures of Social Media Mela 2012 #SOCMM12
#SocMM12: Social Media Mela or Twitterati Kitty Party? – by Imaan Sheikh
Going through the events at the Karachi’s Social Media Mela, I had one major response: Are these guys for real? Does Pakistan’s social media really offer an alternative voice or is it an extension of the mainstream media?
All over the world, Social Media represents the alternate point of view. In Pakistan, aside from a few honourable exceptions, social media seems to be an extension of mainstream media and a mirror of Pakistan’s army-dominated establishment.
This mela (known on Twitter as #Socmm12) had events headed by employees of Pakistan’s largest media group, the Jang group – as mainstream and pro-establishment as one can get!
It had Dr. Awab Alvi (a PTI propagandist). According to Marvi Sirmed and some others, Dr. Alvi played a major role in using social media to distribute a list of journalists who were alleged to have taken money from Malik Riaz’s Bahria Town Complex. Sitting next to him was Marvi Sirmed herself (human rights activist who is seen participating in events organized by the pro-establishment Jinnah Institute and pro-establishment HDP). Marvi’s name was also on the lists of journalists which was distributed by Dr. Awab Alvi. So no shortage of irony here.
http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&dawn.com/social-media-
Another segment was about viral videos. No dicussion on the videos of Pashtuns being slaughtered by the Taliban. No mentions of the Khooni Chowk where scores of Pashtuns were gruesomely beheaded by their Taliban captors. It is omissions like this where one wonders what is the point of social media in Pakistan when the difference between them and Jang Groups’ Geo TV is just cosmetic.
In the last two days, Pashtuns have been slaughtered in two separate incidents in and around Quetta. The blast at the ANP rally is yet another slap on the faces of these social media people who insist that Taliban and Pashtun are one and the same thing. Rubbish! The ANP has lost hundreds of its party office bearers and workers; hundreds more of Pashtun tribal leaders have been killed resisting the ISI-sponsored Taliban. Don’t expect Pakistan’s Social Media Mela to talk about this. Both PTI (of Imran Khan) and Jinnah Institute parrot the views of the army and both equate Taliban = Pashtun. Both of them were represented at Social Media Mela in the form of PTI (Dr. Awab Alvi, Ayesha Tammy Haq) and Jinnah Institute (Raza Rumi, Marvi Sirmed). Does anyone expect anything new to come out in these moderated discussions or simply the same rubbish that we hear on private TV channels and other mainstream media every day.
Honest progressive should avoid such events. At least they should raise their voices in protest. These events are all about NGO branding where activists for sale display their token protests for safe causes. I urge my fellow South Asian guests from India to be wary of the false Prophets who talk of peace but align themselves with the most hypernationalist, pro-establishment corporate media groups.
Can there honestly be peace with India while Hafiz Saeed roams around Punjab leading hate campaigns against Ahmadis and increasing their suffering. Can Jang Group really present itself as a champion of peace with India through Aman ki Asha project when its various media outlets publish hate propaganda against India on an incessant basis. The Dons of Pakistan’s social media are mostly allied with the same media groups and political parties who promote the pro-Jihad, violent Difa-e-Pakistan Council. Then how can this group of people pretend to talk peace with India?
Last year, only LUBP published a critical article on another social media event which quickly degenerated into a publicity stunt for promoting Imran Khan’s Karachi Jalsa. Like the last event, no talk of Shia killings at this event. A few passing and token references for Ahmadi persecution without anyone from Al Ufaq or Ahmaddiya Times. When PTI, Jinnah Institute and MQM are sharing the same stage, I know that us Pashtuns will only be misrepresented.
Not at all surprised to see that alternative blogs like LUBP, Al Ufaq, Khyber Watch, Pakistan Blogzine etc were completely blocked out. After all, they are far more visible on Twitter than many of the obscure blogs that win awards by sucking up to each other. Readers can compare their traffic on Alexa with outcast blogs like LUBP and make their own unbiased decisions.
So what to expect from such a social media event that is just an extension of private TV channels. Good luck on fooling some prospective donors. I hope that ignoring the Pashtun blood spilt all over Pakistan was worth it.
Mr. Afridi, 99% of Pashtuns support Islam and Taliban. Only 1% or less support ANP, PKMAP and atheists.
Thank you for writing what was really missing in the mainstream reporting of this event. Dawn, BBC Urdu, Express Tribune, all are full of uncritical praise of the event, nobody is mourning the death of alternative media in Pakistan
Thank you, Lala Wusatullah, for writing this post. Pashtun blood is cheap. These folks are least bothered about our blood spilt in Quetta, Swat and Parachinar.
Another LUBP attack on the twin sister of Marvi Memon who is Marvi Sirmed. You are being critical because you were not invited. Bcos all the best liberals at this event use LUBP for trash. LUBP is always attacking liberals like Dr. Awab and Marvi Memon.
Who cares if LUBP was not invited. Atleast they are writing about Pashtun massacres, showing sympathy for the blood spilt of different Pashtuns. Europa Liberal Club, why are you so insensitive to our deaths. Is the life of Pashtuns less than the life of others?
One thing I like about this critical post is its secular, non-right wing approach. Another one I read on a right wing ISI blog was full of hate India, hate America stuff.
Good work, Mr. Afridi.
Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
The problem with Pakistan’s social media is that it’s an extension, not alternative, of mainstream media. #Socmm12
Did #Socmm12 reflect on why Pakistan’s social media remain dominated by same compromised elites who are dominant in mainstream media?
Did #Socmm12 reflect on collective silence in Pakistani blog on ISI-sponsored #ShiaGenocide, #BalochGenocide, #PashtunGenocide?
Fake Civil Society (FCS) – by Shahid Khan http://shar.es/t6r6U #socmm12
“I’ve been in a rickshaw”: Some critical reflections on the Karachi Literature Festival 2011 http://shar.es/t6pDH #socmm12
Aman Ki Asha: A wolf in sheep’s clothing http://wp.me/p1joLZ-9YU #socmm12
Let’s defend Ejaz Haider, the defender of Pakistan army! http://wp.me/p1joLZ-9JW #socmm12
How to identify liberal proxies of GHQ in Pakistani media and blogs http://shar.es/t6pfs #socmm12
A critical comment on Pakistan Blog Awards 2011 – by Mureed Bizenjo http://shar.es/t6pba #socmm12
Aisha Aijaz and Saad Khan’s My Bit for Ahmadi Phobia http://wp.me/p1joLZ-afs #socmm12
Social Media Summit in Karachi which never was! – by Laibaah http://shar.es/t6gSg via #socmm12
Did Indian friends in #socmm12 ask Pakistan’s neo-Nazi elites about their silence on Pashtun massacre by ISI’s proxies?
Did #socmm12 highlight silence in Pakistani blogs on kill & dump policy of Balochs by Pakistan army?
How many in #socmm12 discussed silence in Pakistan’s social media on #ShiaGenocide and massacres of Pashtuns, Balochs by Pakistan army?
#socmm12 is a collection of Pakistan’s Nazi elites of Lahore, Karachi Islamabad who remain silent on persecution of Shias, Balochs, Pashtuns
As usual, dirty propaganda by an anti-Pakistan blog.
Picture says it all. Marvi and Awab hate each other on twitter, but both sitting together discussing impact of social media. I have huge respect for Marvi; she should have atleast refused to sit with this dandansaz
Some participants:
Awab Alvi@DRAWABDr. Awab Alvi is a dentist by profession who maintains a highly regarded political blog under the pen-name Teeth Maestro. Awab is a committed civil society activist being the founding member of the People’s Resistance, a group that challenged martial law in 2007. He was extensively involved in raising and distributing funds for earthquake relief and for the IDPs. Awab has spoken at a number of prestigious international conferences and is also a TED Senior Fellow and the co-curator of TEDxKarachi.
Ayesha Tammy Haq@TAMMYHAQA corporate lawyer by profession, Ayesha Tammy Haq is a well-known face on television. She anchors the hottest debates on her nightly talk show on Business Plus, writes opinion pieces for several newspapers and publications and hosts a radio show on FM89. A civil rights activist, she is involved with human rights and civil rights based organizations in Pakistan. She has been CEO of Fashion Pakistan, the Fashion Design Forum and organised Pakistan’s first ever fashion week.
Beena Sarwar@BEENASARWARBeena Sarwar is a journalist, editor, documentary filmmaker and civil rights activist who focuses on issues related to media, gender, human rights and peace. She has a Masters in Television Documentary and a BA in Studio Art & English Literature . She was a Nieman Fellow, Harvard University and Research Fellow, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. She is currently based in Cambridge MA, and works online with Aman ki Asha, a peace initiative between the Jang Group of Newspapers, Pakistan and The Times of India as well as running her blog, Journeys to Democracy.
Bina Shah@BINASHAHBina Shah is the author of five books: two collections of short stories and three novels. Bina has served as the editor for Computerworld Pakistan and Spider Magazine and has written extensively for publications including the Dawn, Libas, the Friday Times, and the online publication Chowk. Her sense of humour and clear-eyed view of social issues has earned her critical praise and a devoted following amongst Pakistanis all over the world. She is also involved with arts and culture, speaks on women’s issues and teaches writing part time at SZABIST.
Faisal Kapadia@FAISALKAPADIAFaisal Kapadia describes himself as an ‘imaginaut, writer, explorer, entrepreneur, social activist and cultural critic’. He blogs at faisalkapadia.com and in print can be found writing features for The Friday Times and Express Tribune. He is also one part of The Laidback Show, a bi-weekly podcast which was awarded best podcast from Pakistan in the 2010 Cio/Google Blog awards. Faisal’s first book The Sands of Time was published
on Amazon in December 2010.
Kalsoom Lakhani@KALSOOM82Kalsoom Lakhani is the Founder/CEO of Invest2Innovate or i2i, an intermediary that aims to grow the social entrepreneurship space in new markets, beginning in Pakistan. Kalsoom is the Washington, D.C. co-ambassador for Sandbox, a global network of selected innovators under 30, and is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Shaper. She is the founder and editor of the blog CHUP and the Managing Editor of Think Change Pakistan. She has contributed to various publications, including Foreign Policy’s AfPak Channel, Dawn, the Washington Post, Westpoint’s CTC Sentinel, and the Huffington Post.
Marvi Sirmed@MARVISIRMEDMarvi Sirmed is a journalist, political commentator, governance specialist, freelance columnist, theater actor, an activist for peace and human rights and an independent blogger with a long list of accomplishments. She is also quite fearless.
Mehmal Sarfaraz@MEHMALZMehmal Sarfraz is the Executive Director of Vanguard Group (Vanguard Books/The Friday Times/Good Times). She is also the regional Joint General Secretary of South Asian Women in Media (SAWM), a platform where women media persons can identify and find solutions to their problems. She is a Lahore-based journalist and former Op-Ed Editor Daily Times.
Mehreen Kasana@MEHREENKASANAAn American-Pakistani student, blogger and doodler residing in Lahore, Mehreen Kasana is a cultural politics enthusiast with a penchant for disciplines of history, colonial and postcolonial studies, politics, cultural and gender studies, philosophy – everything in between and a whole lot more. She enjoys writing cultural and political satire.
Nabiha Mehar Shaikh@NABIHAMEHERNabiha Meher Shaikh is a critical thinking teacher, freelance writer and blogger.
She has degrees in Women’s Studies and Creative & Critical Writing. Nabiha has taught English language, literature and writing as well as critical thinking at leading academic institutions and is currently focusing on teaching critical thinking to all age groups, including out of school adults. She is also a passionate feminist who is a member of Women Action Forum, Lahore.
Raza Rumi@RAZARUMIRaza Rumi is a writer based in Lahore, Pakistan. He regularly writes for the Pakistani weekly The Friday Times, The News and DAWN on topics such as history, the arts, literature and society. Raza blogs at Jahane Rumi, a website devoted to Sufi thought, the arts, literature, and cultures of South Asia; edits cyber-magazines Pak Tea House & Lahore Nama; and compiles the Development Industry blog.
Sana Saleem@SANASALEEMSana Saleem is an activist working on minority rights and internet freedom and the Executive Director of Bolobhi.org, an organisation focusing on advocacy, policy and research. Sana blogs at Global Voices, Asian Correspondent, The Guardian, Dawn and her personal blog Mystified Justice. She recently won the Best Activist Blogger award by CIO & Google at the Pakistan Blogger Awards.
Shoaib Taimur@SHOBZShoaib Taimur is a budding social entrepreneur who often moonlights as a social media consultant and seasonal writer for The Friday Times, Market Murmur and Pak TeaHouse. He was one of the founding members of startup Agency Global which specialises in artist management and production support. He has an interest in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and looks forward to pursuing a career in HCI Research. Shoaib is also an Indo-Pak Peace advocate and was a delegate at the first Pul e Jawan summit in Kabul, (India, Pakistan and Afghanistan).
Sundus Rasheed@SUNDUSRASHEEDSundus Rasheed describes herself as an occasional writer, a behind the scenes media person and a travel addict. She is responsible for a great team of Radio Jockeys at CityFM89 and their shows and everything that goes into making radio – including music and promotions. She also comments on various social issues and pop culture phenomena.
===========
This could not be more elitists and shallow than this.
Some quick questions:
How many of the above are bloggers or social media persons?
How many of them (quite a few) claim to be social media or rights activists?
How many of them have written on Pakistan’s most pressing humanitarian issues: Shis genocide, massacres of the Balochs and Pashtuns, Ahmadi persecution.
How many of them are safe topic activists?
How many of them have written on Nazi style silence in Pakistani media and blogs on Stat-sponsored Shia genocide?
SOCMM12: Pakistan India Social Media Mela 2012 Karachi – Day 1
http://www.chowrangi.com/socmm12-pakistan-india-social-media-mela-2012-karachi-day-1.html
Some comments from Twitter:
Sara Nisar @SaraNisar
Overheard at #socmm12: Aapki cow barRi achhi hai.
Atif S Ahmad @atifahmads
#SocMM12 Hazara Genocide is actually a #ShiaGenocide, please say it loud and clear to get hold of the real culprits! #ISI #LeJ #ASWJ
Laibaah @Laibaah1
We ask our Ahmadi friends: Were Ahmadis in Lahore killed due to their Punjabi ethnicity? Pl don’t misrepresent #ShiaGenocide in ethnic terms
Laibaah @Laibaah1
Not a single session on ISI-sponsored #ShiaGenocide RT @USCGLahore There were many sessions on how to promote social issues on social media.
US Consulate Lahore @USCGLahore
Session on Crowdfunding for films at SOCMM12. Start off crowdfunding with friends, says Indian film director Onir. #socmm12
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite
2h Laibaah @Laibaah1
@USCGLahore You may wish to review a critical view too. http://criticalppp.com/archives/131453 Sadly urgent humanitarian issues were ignored at #Socmm12
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
12m US Consulate Lahore @USCGLahore
@Laibaah1 #SOCMM12 one going on write now about minority rights
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite
10m Laibaah @Laibaah1
@USCGLahore In that session, they are misrepresenting #ShiaGenocide as Hazara ethnic issue. Pl review this: http://criticalppp.com/archives/64797 #Socmm12
Laibaah @Laibaah1
By misrepresenting #ShiaGenocide in Pakistan as a Hazara specific ethnic issue, #Socmm12 has finally exposed its true masters!
US Consulate Lahore @USCGLahore
#SOCMM12 session on censorship. Everyone agreed that the next step is activism against censorship when it happens.
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite
13m Laibaah @Laibaah1
@USCGLahore Many of them were involved in censorship of my account on Twitter, including Ali Dayan Hasan, Beena Sarwar etc. #Socmm12
Farooq Ahmed Khan @Gilgiti
Dear organizers of #SOCMM12. You have the mentality of Babuz of establishment #GB
Laibaah @Laibaah1
@khudiali Is Hazara cause ethnic issue? Was Bugti killed coz he was a Sunni? Were Ahmadis in Lahore killed coz they were Punjabis? #Socmm12
Laibaah @Laibaah1
What? Is it ethnic? MT @RadioPakistan There is cool response on the Hazara community issue from the government side, says @ijattala #socmm12
Laibaah @Laibaah1
@NaddaSalim Are u aware of Nazi style silence on #ShiaGenocide in Pakistan social media? What credit to #Socmm12? @KarrarrHussain @Gilgiti
Usman Malik @UsmanMalik
@RadioPakistan keep it classy RadioPakistan 😉 #socmm12 I almost felt as if I reading a Daily Mail tweet!
Radio Pakistan @RadioPakistan
Social Media Mela: There is cool response on the Hazara community issue from the government side, says Jattala #socmm12
Radio Pakistan @RadioPakistan
A panelist states that the great thing about social media is that there is at least a discourse about marginalized minorities now #socmm12
Farooq Ahmed Khan @Gilgiti
No answer RT @Laibaah1 @NaddaSalim Where are Pakistan’s leading alternative blogs: LUBP, Pakistan Blogzine, Al Ufaq, Tawar, Pamir Times?
There was a strange session on viral video in #Socmm12 where these videos were censored: http://criticalppp.com/archives/83219 and http://t.co/VZhbLexM
Punjabi-Muhajir elites and their wannabe middle class flatterers #Socmm12
Hamza Baloch @H_Balouch
@aamir_khan82 @Shahraza1 lubp comment: “Socmm12 brought the accuser and the accused together” referring to dr awab & marvi sirmed 🙂
SGul @Shiringul
Rt@javeednusrat: Mohsin wondering if Imran Khan was abused by mullahs as a child because they abuse him but he loves them :s #socmm12″
Radio Pakistan @RadioPakistan
Social Media Mela: Fight Club! PTI chairman Imran Khan is an International play boy : says Mohsin Saeed #socmm12
Laibaah @Laibaah1
Laibaah, the liberal fascist, must refrain from attacking human rights defenders http://wp.me/p1joLZ-9Uu #Socmm12
View media
Reply Delete Favorite
1h Laibaah @Laibaah1
Human rights activist @Laibaah silenced by Urban Elite Tweeples http://shar.es/thAL4 #Socmm12
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
1h Laibaah @Laibaah1
‘It’s totally democratic to block Laibaah, the Darth Vader of the Twitterverse’ – says Ali Dayan Hasan of @HRW http://wp.me/p1joLZ-9VU #Socmm12
View media
Reply Delete Favorite
1h Laibaah @Laibaah1
Several of those leading discussions at #Socmm12 participated in banning of my Twitter account, thrice! Or remained silent spectators.
Laibaah @Laibaah1
Looking at some peoples tweets, Pakistan’s most urgent humanitarian crisis is trolling. Who cares for massacres in Turbat & Quetta! #Socmm12
Laibaah @Laibaah1
In #Socmm12 Ali Dayan Hasan of @HRW explains that data on #ShiaGenocide is too complex to be collected & published. In #Socmm12 Ali Dayan Hasan of @HRW explains why it is ok to ignore videos of Shia beheadings. In #Socmm12 Ali Dayan Hasan of @HRW explains why #ShiaGenocide is too complex to be highlighted at all.
Laibaah @Laibaah1
The amount of coverage that Sir Murtaza Solangi is providing to #Socmm12, perhaps 1/10th of that to #ShiaGenocide could make a difference.
SalMan Sikandar @SALSIKandar
If you catch #Awabalvi yoi can stop 99% trolling in Pakistan. “@zalmayzia: Keep calm and don’t freed the trolls #socmm12”
Nazia Bilal @nlikeb
MQM leaders are far more responsible, civil and mature. Parties should learn from them – @marvisirmed on social media interaction. #socmm12
Eltaf hussain @eltafhussain
Thanks to @khudiali for representing n sharing views about #hazara cause in #socmm12.
Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
Replug LUBP post: A critical assessment of #SOCMM12 – Social Media Mela 2012 – by Wusatullah Durrani http://shar.es/t41Ld
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
4m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
Alhamdolillah. LUBP, PB & other allied blogs have effectively dismantled mainstream elites’ dominance in Pakistan’s social media. #socmm12
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
8m Ravez Junejo @ravezjunejo
Simple, they hate #PPP so they hate u #SocMM12 RT @AbdulNishapuri Which blog in Pakistan is bigger in traffic than LUBP? Y r u scared of us?
Retweeted by Abdul Nishapuri
View conversation
Reply Retweeted Favorite
7m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
Look at Pakistan’s Nazi rats, they are hiding their faces in shame. This drama in the name of #socmm12, not in our name!
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
10m Owais Zaidi @owaisz
@AbdulNishapuri #Socamm12 is for conformists. As long as you are within the unstated boundaries you welcome. #fail
Retweeted by Abdul Nishapuri
View conversation
Reply Retweeted Favorite
9m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
To Nazi elites & wannabe flatterers at #socmm12, don’t hide your faces in shame. What have you done to highlight #ShiaGenocide in Pakistan?
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
11m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
How can anyone talk talk about the role of social media in human rights issues in Pakistan & ignore LUBP, PB, Al Ufaq, Tawar etc? #socmm12
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
13m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
We dare #socmm12 organizers. Which blog in Pakistan is bigger in traffic or alternative content than LUBP? Why are you so scared of us?
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
16m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
And yes, we are aware of usual suspects, middle class wannabes who are praising elites at #socmm12. SHAME ON YOU!
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
17m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
If we were to depend on those in #socmm12, today there would have been complete silence on #ShiaGenocide, Ahmadis, Balochs in social media!
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
18m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
Mehmal says there is talk on social media about #ShiaGenocide, Ahmadi, Baloch. We ask why don’t you honestly acknowledge LUBP, Al Ufaq etc?
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
20m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
@naeemshamim It’s the same lady who presented Najam Sethi as a champion of the Baloch cause. #socmm12
View conversation
Reply Delete Favorite
21m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
#socmm12 RT @naeemshamim Replug http://alufaq.com/open-letter-pa … because Mohtarma Mehmal is using lies to gain repute & clapping
View conversation
Reply Delete Favorite
21m Naeem Shamim @naeemshamim
Replug http://alufaq.com/open-letter-pa … because Mohtarma Mehmal is using lies to gain repute & clapping
Retweeted by Abdul Nishapuri
Expand
Reply Retweeted Favorite
22m Karrar @KarrarrHussain
One way to discredit and silence a person is to call them troll. With your above 10000 followers, you block them, muzzle them #Socmm12
Retweeted by Abdul Nishapuri
Expand
Reply Retweeted Favorite
25m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
Speakers at #socmm12 frequently disrespect Shia, Ahmadi, Baloch activists on Twitter and then talk about their rights? Good joke.
Expand
Reply Delete Favorite
26m Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
We don’t want any non-Balochs to speak on behalf of Balochs, non-Shias to speak on behalf of Shias etc. At least, respect their discourse!
Very interesting perspective.
I am from India (Panjab). I must say this blog post has opened my eyes about the reality of social media in Pakistan. Thank you. Mr. Durrani.
From Twitter
Abdul Nishapuri @AbdulNishapuri
Alhamdolillah. LUBP, PB & other allied blogs have effectively dismantled mainstream elites’ dominance in Pakistan’s social media. #socmm12
How can anyone talk talk about the role of social media in human rights issues in Pakistan & ignore LUBP, PB, Al Ufaq, Tawar etc? #socmm12
Mehmal says there is talk on social media about #ShiaGenocide, Ahmadi, Baloch. We ask why don’t you honestly acknowledge LUBP, Al Ufaq etc?
We dare #socmm12 organizers. Which blog in Pakistan is bigger in traffic or alternative content than LUBP? Why are you so scared of us?
Ravez Junejo @ravezjunejo
Simple, they hate #PPP so they hate u #SocMM12 RT @AbdulNishapuri Which blog in Pakistan is bigger in traffic than LUBP? Y r u scared of us?
Someone told me LUBP is a nightmare for Pakistani elites in NGOs and mainstream media, gives them shivers. Is that right?
Awab and Marvi on one stage. hahaha…
http://criticalppp.com/archives/79136
LUBP MUST STOP ATTACKING MARVI TWINS OF MEMON AND SIRMED. SAME FOR DR AWAB, DR BEENA, DR DANISH AND DR HAMID MIR. JUST SHUT UP. THIS IS TOO MUCH. YOU ARE HURTING OUR BOTTOMS LINES.
Strangely enough, what should have been a discussion on the virality of hilarious internet memes and the sarcasm-loaded FAT forum turned into a lacklustre convesration . At one point, fashion writer Mohsin Sayeed stood up and said: “You guys (Tammy Haq etc) need to stop talking about yourselves! This is about memes – not me, me, me! Stop preaching.” Wearing a paper cone on his nose Sayeed said people should not take themselves so seriously.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/408332/social-media-mela-memes-and-the-fat-phenomenon/
Rehman Malik Jhangvi doesn’t have courage to ban LeJ-ASWJ’s hate websites & talks about cyber crimes? http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=58946
KARACHI: Interior Advisor Rehman Malik said Sunday that Pakistan and India were victims of cyber crime.
Addressing a social media summit here, Malik said that terrorists were using the internet for communication claiming that if Internet Service Providers (ISP) were wiser and had certain tools, the Mumbai attacks would not have taken place.
Malik added that ill will was being spread through the social media and this forum should keep morality in mind. According to the interior advisor social media should be brought under the ambit of law.
In pursuit of Marxism
You must read this very hilarious blog on ET:
“Organised in Karachi by PeaceNiche, in collaboration with the United States Consulates in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, it was supposed to be a gathering of social media enthusiasts from India and Pakistan.
It was an invite-only affair and most people who were invited were recommended by other people. Participants from Lahore and Islamabad were sponsored by US Consulates in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi for their travel and accommodation.
It was my first visit to Karachi and I was really excited about having acquired this opportunity. I boarded the plane from Lahore on the eve of July 12, along with the rest of participants from Lahore. The visit was not only an opportunity to interact with new people but also to get some much needed respite from the hectic schedule at the hospital.
During the flight, I had a long amicable chat with my seat mate whom I discovered was a fellow participant. We were transported to Avari hotel and allotted rooms. When I reached my designated room, I had to pinch myself back to reality; the rooms were spacious and comfortable and had attached baths separated by glass walls; pampered was an understatement.
We were offered BBQ dinner at the top floor of the hotel and that was where we were fortunate enough to meet our fellow Indian participants including Onir, Karuna John, Jugal Mody, Venket Ananth, Sabbah Haji, Annie Zaidi, Raheel Khurshid and Sanjay Rajoura. I, being a vegetarian, found common ground with one of the participants and enjoyed a rather pleasant conversation. Later, I took part in an interesting discussion about Marxism, class struggle and the Pakistan Movement.
I wouldn’t have met many of my favourite people at one place if I had not come to the mela, including Nadeem F Paracha (one of my mentors), Ali Chishti, Marvi Sirmed, Beena Sarwar, Mohsin Sayeed, Muhammed Hanif, Faiza S Khan, Musharraf Ali Farooqi, Declan Walsh, Amir Mughal, Murtaza Solangi, Hassaan Belal a.k.a mighty, Sana Saleem, Ali Arqam, Zebunnisa Burki and the wonderful people from across the border.”
http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/12781/the-social-media-mela-was-not-a-kitty-party/
The writer Abdul Majeed Abid is an assistant editor at Raza Rumi’s Pak Tea House blog.
He is so very Marxist.
In Anwar Chagezi’s words, a bun kabab aspiring to be a MacDonald’s burger. 🙂
@Naila,
Huh! discussing Marxism and class struggles at 5-Star hotels with mostly MQM activists and some PTI burgers.
Munafiqat ki bhi had hoti hai.
میں خود کو ایک ایلین محسوس کررہا تھا، وہ مجھ جیسے لوگ نہیں تھے، انکی باتیں، انکا لباس، انکی زبان، انکا چلنا پھرنا اور انکے فکر و خیالات سب کچھ مجھ سے بہت مختلف تھا۔ وہ دلائل، منطق اور افکار میں تضادات سے بھرپور آدھے فیصد مراعات یافتہ طبقے کی ایک تقریب تھی، جس میں متوسط طبقے اور اسکی سوچ کے لئے کوئی جگہ نہیں تھی۔ میں اس تقریب میں گزارے چند گھنٹوں کے دوران یہ احساس شدت کے ساتھ محسوس کررہا تھا کہ ایک پاکستان وہ ہے جو آواری، شیرٹن، پی سی اور میریٹ کے پرآسائش ہوٹلوں میں نظر آتا ہے۔ بھرے پیٹ، احساس زیاں سے عاری وجود اور پر مغز خیالات اور دوسرا پاکستان وہ ہے جو ان پنج ستارا ہوٹلوں کے کنارے سڑک پر رواں ہے اور موٹر سائیکلوں، بسوں اور چھوٹی گاڑیوں میں سفر کرتا اس سوچ میں گم ہے کہ کیا وہ خیر و عافیت کے ساتھ گھر پہنچ سکے گا؟ کیا جب وہ گھر پہنچے گا تو پنکھے کی ہوا میں سو سکے گا۔ سوال یہ ہے کہ کونسا پاکستان حقیقی پاکستان ہے وہ جو ہوٹلوں کی زینت ہے یا وہ جو سڑکوں، محلوں، اسپتالوں اور تھانوں میں برپہ ہے؟
تقریب اپنے آغاز میں ہی بدنظمی کا شکار ہوگئی تھی، نظامت کے ذمہ دار خواتین و حضرات ادھر ادھر گھومتے ہوئے اور الجھے پائے گئے۔ مقررہ وقت سے گھنٹے بعد سبین نے اپنی ابتدائی کلمات سے تقریب کا باقاعدہ آغاز کیا۔ توقعات کے برخلاف یہ ایک انتہائی ناقص آغاز تھا۔ پھیکا پن، ناتجربہ کاری اورتکنیکی خرابیاں اپنے عروج پرتھیں۔ لاکھوں روپے کی براہ رست امریکی امداد کے باوجود نام نہاد سوشلسٹ بلاگرز صرف ایک پروگرام کرنے میں بری طرح ناکام نظر آرہے تھے، برکھادت کو کئی بار اسکائپ پر آن لائن لینے کی کوشش کی گئی لیکن ہر دفعہ تکنیکی خرابی آڑے آئی، کبھی ویڈیو آئی تو آواز غائب ہوگئی، کبھی آواز آئی تو ویڈیو غائب ہوگئی، شرکاء کے مشوروں پر کبھی برکھا کو ایک سو اسی ڈگری مخالف بیٹھایا گیا کبھی انکے پیچھے لگے پردے گروائے گئے اور کبھی فون ملاکر اسے مائیک کے پاس رکھنے کا تجربہ کیا گیا لیکن ڈھاک کے پات تمام کوششیں ناکام ہوئی اور اس ڈرامے کو ڈراپ سین کی طرف لے جانا پڑا۔دو روزہ کانفرنس کا پہلا مباحثہ علی گل پیر اور علی آفتاب کے سائیں تو سائیں اور آلو انڈے جیسی ویڈیوز اور انکی شہرت کے مندرجات پر مبنی تھا جسکی نظامت کی ذمہ داری ندیم ایف پراچہ نے سنبھالی۔ ندیم پراچہ صاحب سستا اور گھٹیا مزاح پیدا کرنے میں کمال رکھتے ہیں، چنانچہ انہوں نے یہ موقع بھی ہاتھ سے جانے نہ دیا اور عامر لیاقت کو کم از کم چھ بار پروگرام میں گھسیٹا حالانکہ عامر لیاقت یا ان سے متعلق فقروں کا اس مباحثہ سے دور تک کوئی تعلق نہ تھا۔ اگلے تین مباحثے ہندوستانی بلاگرز کے تھے جو عمومی طور پر معلوماتی نوعیت کے تھے جن کے بعد کھانے کا وقفہ ہوا۔
کھانے کے وقفے کے دوران محمد اسد کا پیغام ملا کے وہ اور فہد کہر بھی پہنچ چکے چنانچہ میں استقبالیہ تک پہنچا۔ لگ بھگ دیڑھ، دو سو شرکاء میں سے کوئی نوے فیصد مسلمان تھے لیکن نماز جمعہ انکے لئے کوئی مسئلہ نہ تھی اور نہ ہی کسی کو اس حوالے کوئی پریشانی تھی، میں فہد اور اسد کافی دیر تک نماز جمعہ کے لئے مسجد ڈھونڈتے رہے لیکن پورے آواری اور اسکے قرب میں مسجد نہ ملی اور جب مسجد ملی تو وہاں جمعہ کا انتظام نہ تھا، چنانچہ تہ یہ پایا کہ اگلے مباحثے کے بعد جسکے شرکاء گفتکو میں خود فہد کہر بھی مدعو تھے کے بعد نماز ظہر ادا کی جائے گی۔بحثیت اردو بلاگر میرے لئے اس کانفرنس کا سب سے اہم مذاکرہ بھی یہی تھا جسکا موضوع تھا “انگریز ی سے ہٹ کر، مقامی ثقافت اور ورثہ کی حفاظت “۔ مباحثے کی نظامت کے لئے رضارومی صاحب مقرر تھے، اول تو وہ دیر سے آئے اور جب آئے تو ایک لمبی تقریر شروع کر ڈالی اور مباحثہ کہیں کھو گیا۔ ضیائی دور کو کوسنے، نصاب پر برسنے، محمد بن قاسم کی قبر پر لات مارنے اور دائیں بازو کے دانش وروں کا مذاق اڑانے کے بعد انہیں بڑی مشکل سے یہ خیال آیا کہ ایک مذاکرہ ہے جس میں انہیں چار مقررین کے درمیان بحث کرانی ہے۔ کل ملا کر پانچ منٹ ہر مقرر کو دئے گئے۔
لبرل طبقے کے مسائل اور انکی ذہنی حالت پر میں بحث نہیں کرنا چاہتا اور نہ مجھے ماروی سرمد اور محسن سعید کے بغلگیر ہوکر رقص کرنے اور سگریٹ کے سُٹے لگانے سے کوئی غرض ہے اور نہ ہی اس مجلس کی خواتین، انکے لباس اور انکی حرکتیں میرا موضوع قلم ہیں، لیکن میں یہ ضرور پوچھنا چاہوں گے کہ کیا یہ سب کچھ اس خطے کی ثقافت کا حصہ ہے، نہیں بلکل نہیں، مسلم ثقافت تو درکنار ہندو ثقافت کا کوئی بھی رنگ اس قسم کے مکروہ لہو لعب سے رنگا ہوا نہیں ہے، یہ تو خالص مغرب کی مادر پدر تہذیب ہے جو امریکی سفارت خانے کے خرچہ پر بپا کی گئی تھی۔آواری ہوٹل کی لابی میں فیض احمد فیض کی ٹٹوز میں چھپی نیم عریاں نواسی کو محمد حنیف کے پہلو میں نیم دراز پڑا دیکھ کر مجھے مسعود لوہار کا یہ سوال یاد آگیا کہ پچھلے تیس سالوں سے کوئی بڑا ادب تخلیق نہیں ہوا ،جناب کیسے ہوگا؟ ایلیٹ انگریزی رنگارنگینیوں میں مست ہے اور متوسط طبقہ “ہیں تلخ بہت بندہ مزدور کے اوقات” کی عملی صورت بنا ہوا ہے۔لیکن جن لوگوں کے حواس پر ضیاء الحق چھایا ہو ان سے کیا بات کی جائے اورکیا استدلال پیش کیا جائے۔ ایک مقرر نے کہا کہ طالبان نے گدھوں کو بھی کپڑے پہنادیے تھے میں نے سوچا اب کوئی اور کھٹرا ہوگا اور کہے گا کہ احمدی ویب سائٹ کو ضیاء الحق کی روح نے بند کیا ہے۔
سوشل میڈیا میلہ 2012
تاریخ: جولائی 15, 2012 مصنف: کاشف نصیر
http://www.qalamkarwan.com/2012/07/socmm12.html
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I have been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast offered shiny transparent idea
compnay went out of business. His phone in the Malton store is/was (856) 9880333. Whether was reassigned or changed then which may also believe cost Some can be bought in neon colours plus floral fabrics and geometric designs. Also, some expectant women develop the lack enough appetite or they easily feel full as a result of pressure inside abdomen produced by the growing You will see books including a loads of interesting activities for enhancing the little ones’ numeric/ mathematical, verbal and reasoning skills. They members’ club with a library. [URL=http://www.lareuniondecouverte.com/externalises/blazer.php]nike blazer pas cher[/URL] addition what particular monograms is definitely the most desired. woven handbag. Managing woven working or its palettes is stuffed with children enjoyment, soft vintage crafted lambskin intensifies its durability and Special Metal Drawer Inserts with sliding lids and sealed partitions. Might it’s any wonder that restorers and collectors generally opt to seek advise and bangs and you just can decorate the bag as desired. explained these differences.” [URL=http://www.laneuvilleroy.fr/pari/chaussures.php]nike blazer homme[/URL] money. To illustrate, the midweek roundtrip coach fare from Atlanta to Phoenix was $1,034 thomas lee invented October. But as soon as you fare building have already been crowded into another from this organization’s facilities, that wasthat’s partially damaged. disorders involving spastic pelvicfloor muscles. granddaughter. What on earth Bristol Palin’s baby are secured in running the country? Referring to, although the media ate that, and stated in a “Running vs. obtaining a bus can provide a big edge,” said Carl Schwab, director of the Great MN Race. “Or hit the streets in order that the buses get [URL=http://www.objectif-fibre.fr/nikeblazer.html[Nike Pas Cher[/URL] function as a original ones do and everybody can’t stop themselves turning nearer. Generally speaking the replica bags is oftentimes obtained in high container by doing an isset($storage[‘your container namespace here’]) call. The celebrities reveal very important it is best to put in your bag is usually a small double sided compact mirror. You may get a nice size travel wedding, or whisk you away to get a weekend in Paris with linen canvas and Vecchio brown leather trim. To be able to protect your dwelling with your “Brands have joined us promoting and branding HOT. We certainly have invested around Rs 25 crore in such a project and expect business of up to Rs 250 [URL=http://www.objectif-fibre.fr/nikeblazer.html[Nike Blazer[/URL] in appropriatesize containers. installation at a cool, dry place, preferably on higher grounds or stable platforms. This certainly will minimize the manufacturer of acid storage all of a ballroom bitch than blitz for twirler Bridie Carter. supplementations is needed to prevent yourself from chronic diseases.” gospel in the skill to find. [URL=http://www.habiozone.fr/stats/france.asp]nike pas cher homme[/URL] patented Danish clog for the 1980s. Thinking the clog generally is a good barn shoe, they conducted two years time property equity testing and My grandfather set a door across file cabinets to provide a worktable. When deciding on repairs he did calculations when using old version of Businesses other contributors left Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna believing the Crows can win the premiership. it happens to be the participants to the party for the treat bags. Another similar game often is the washer game. However, the set differs a whole lot in looks that you usually becoming altogether a special game. One [URL=http://www.habiozone.fr/stats/france.asp]CHAUSSURES NIKE[/URL] MADRID (Reuters) The highprofile and muchdelayed trial of Spanish doctor arrested with masterminding a doping ring in cycling departed a strong When using the meeting, the creditors ingested an announcement of affairs which showed Mr Buckley was owed ?295,000, director Sean Finnerty was owed ? this flakes off up to you. flight would can also really should be addressed. Figuring versus eachother [URL=http://www.habiozone.fr/stats/france.asp]nike pas cher[/URL] while. time you such as a cableknit look). your hardearned funds are together with the actual farmers who grew the cotton knowledgable about permit your new range of jeans. iphone 5 is LTE speed. Verizon at are spending big to raise LTE networks. Simply put i have Sprint service and then a Two year old HTC. Let me upgrade the many her steps here.A PROGRAMME For people EFFICIENT Using OUR MATERIALS [URL=http://www.laneuvilleroy.fr/pari/chaussures.php]nike blazer[/URL] doctors taking care of these patients risk being imprisoned in dungeons run by Syria state security services. unfortunates who are set on committing prohibited will conduct so despite any law. In the end, shall be interesting to think about whether our liberal accused of stacking bodies within a garage these new generations are greater subject to the temptations of cloth wealth and electricity that western colonial powers have bluntly forced in lives. laptop bag emphasizes style and sophistication during the same time, but it will probably be extremely practical. You can aquire additional magnetic [URL=http://www.habiozone.fr/stats/france.asp]nike pas cher homme[/URL] You’ll encounter definitely the ideal way to complain. Quite some time ago we were inside the major chain store. We took our personal bags, shopped “We cannot blur the lines between precisely what and also what isn’t child abuse,” Macari said. “When accomplish we alleviate away from your very Oscar shot narrowly wide and Terry’s header was somehow stopped by Sommer before Luiz took his chance from 25 yards to belatedly give Chelsea an because players arrived utilizing tour of Australia. Nevertheless, very little regrets their bought the bag. The damned thing is indestructible and shows no damage to this time around. The zippers are [URL=http://www.habiozone.fr/stats/france.asp]CHAUSSURES NIKE[/URL] Return home with every to your parents, after all age groups. The arrangement allows her to hide the motherhood, she says. Other grown kids say they without the need to FASD. There is not any ‘magic number’ for amount consumed except for many generally agreedon rules. Effects seem linked with Flight Safety Agency says that neither factor is this being blamed during the disappearance now. The Civic GX Lands Using the First instance family, our surroundings.”
A critical assessment of #SOCMM12 – Social Media Mela 2012 – by Wusatullah Durrani http://www.abercrombiecanada.ca/abercrombie-and-fitch-shirts-c-292 A critical assessment of #SOCMM12 – Social Media Mela 2012 – by Wusatullah Durrani