It's a good story. The author is telling her experience, and we learn something through it. I don't see any problem with that- I don't understand why all the negative comments. Those commenters are free to submit their own stories if they think they can do better.
2
This story has been more subtly told in novels like *Moth Smoke." A much more interesting story Ms. Khan could pursue would involve the complex ways in which secular, feminist, and leftist forces in Pakistan -- and there are many -- work against militarism and fundamentalism.
Ms. Khan simply confirms American prejudices. But for those of us who remember how American policies have supported military dictatorships and helped foment religious extremism in Pakistan, it's a bit rich to read the finger-wagging comments here.
Ms. Khan simply confirms American prejudices. But for those of us who remember how American policies have supported military dictatorships and helped foment religious extremism in Pakistan, it's a bit rich to read the finger-wagging comments here.
1
From the article:
From today's Times "A powerful blast ripped through a public park in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday evening, killing at least 52 people and wounding at least 200, including women and children...The explosion coincided with violence in other parts of the country as hundreds of protesters took to the streets to condemn the Feb. 29 execution of Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, who had killed Salmaan Taseer, a governor who had campaigned for changes in the country’s blasphemy laws".
Yet many posters are claiming the essay unfairly depicts Pakistan as a place where violating strict Muslim norms is dangerous?
From today's Times "A powerful blast ripped through a public park in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday evening, killing at least 52 people and wounding at least 200, including women and children...The explosion coincided with violence in other parts of the country as hundreds of protesters took to the streets to condemn the Feb. 29 execution of Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, who had killed Salmaan Taseer, a governor who had campaigned for changes in the country’s blasphemy laws".
Yet many posters are claiming the essay unfairly depicts Pakistan as a place where violating strict Muslim norms is dangerous?
10
I found the article hilarious though the experience must have been unnerving for the author at that time. We all go through compromising or embarrassing situations in life, therefore I don't have to be judgemental about the country or the culture. This incident could have taken place in England and every body would have laughed at it.
3
The article makes for a finely written short story, and it correctly points towards certain pitfalls of the urban society in Pakistan. However, the audience chosen for this piece is off the mark. Somebody in Pakistan can understand the setting and background of the issues raised, but for foreign readers context and the complete picture would remain elusive for obvious reasons. This may amount to borderline demonizing of a certain culture for the benefit of a foreign audience at the cost of blurring the right perspective. I hope more such articles would be on the way to complete the picture to shun away any xenophobic feelings which a limited write up, in scope, might lead to.
2
Pity, you make assumptions that are insulting to the intelligence of all "foreigners". The gall, to assume, that even I am incapable of empathy or understanding the nuances of another culture is a case of you abysmally not understanding the nuances of my culture.
4
The article makes for a finely written short story, and it correctly points towards certain pitfalls of the urban society in Pakistan. However, the audience chosen for this piece is off the mark. Somebody in Pakistan can understand the setting and background of the issues raised, but for foreign readers context and the complete picture would remain elusive for obvious reasons. This may amount to borderline demonizing of a certain culture for the benefit of a foreign audience at the cost of blurring the right perspective. I hope more such articles would be on the way to complete the picture to shun away any xenophobic feelings which a limited write up, in scope, might lead to.
2
Well the Western media isn't rushing to cover the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore. You helped to build the Taliban,you gave nuclear technology to North Korea. Your own society is tearing itself apart in factional warfare.
And..we should really care about your opinion on a NYT puff piece that sounds pretty bogus to begin with?
Nah...
And..we should really care about your opinion on a NYT puff piece that sounds pretty bogus to begin with?
Nah...
3
She is also exaggerating the eff out of it for sake of literary effect. People in a Honda and with money in the bank get off by simply making one phone call or paying a paltry sum of 1000 PKR (10 dollar) to the extremely low paid police/security personnel.
5
Having grown up in India, I can empathize with the author. Having seen how women are treated in the sub-continent, I can again empathize with the author. Her vivid portrayal of the gripping fear that a woman would experience when "caught" in a situation such as this - is only too true. The exploitative and intrusive questioning, lewd remarks, insulting behavior towards the couple and a very, very real possibility of assault - that would have followed, had the cops gotten to them is not something to scoff at. Yes, they would have made some phone calls and probably gotten out of it but can you imagine the embarrassment of calling your family, explaining this to them and asking them to "rescue" you? I don't think this is exaggeration at all. A situation like this is probably not common for someone who has lived all their life in Pakistan and hence the irritation that some of the readers might feel. People who don't live there all the time are always going to have a more dire outlook on skirmishes with law enforcement and hence the terror and panic. So, I think her visceral portrayal of fear would resonate with readers who have experienced both sides of life.
19
Late 20's professionals with affluent background and only choice available for intimacy is "shiny new Honda" parked street side. Teenagers can do better than that in most of Pakistan even outside of "My Karachi is a relatively liberal and modern city". And to cap it off a thrilling car chase, wow...
3
So, the writer is admitting that she and her partner were drinking and driving, and somehow this is a story of Evil Repressive Society Stops Young Love? Think of everyone you are putting in danger with your reckless driving!
If this had happened in any American city - if America cops came upon a car in a deserted street with two people making out - you can be sure that they will knock on the window, and probably ask you to take a breathlyzer test. And, if you happened to fail, as these two people likely might have had, you'd be facing some pretty serious consequences.
Ms. Khan should consider herself lucky that the Karachi police is bumblingly incompetent!
If this had happened in any American city - if America cops came upon a car in a deserted street with two people making out - you can be sure that they will knock on the window, and probably ask you to take a breathlyzer test. And, if you happened to fail, as these two people likely might have had, you'd be facing some pretty serious consequences.
Ms. Khan should consider herself lucky that the Karachi police is bumblingly incompetent!
8
"if America cops came upon a car in a deserted street with two people making out - you can be sure that they will knock on the window, and probably ask you to take a breathlyzer test"--knocking on the window is unlikely unless it was a dangerous area or an observer had complained--it is not uncommon or unlawful for people to make out standing or sitting in the open, much less in a car.
And there is virtually zero chance they would ask for a breathalyzer test, absent seeing an open, empty liquor bottle or receiving a response indicating drunkenness. The lack of probable cause for requesting the test would make them subject to being sued.
And there is virtually zero chance they would ask for a breathalyzer test, absent seeing an open, empty liquor bottle or receiving a response indicating drunkenness. The lack of probable cause for requesting the test would make them subject to being sued.
4
Given the young man's driving skill in eluding the police, his blood alcohol level was probably within legal limits.
2
DSM - I was kissing in a legally parked car in the American suburbs and a police officer knocked on the window. Never did that again!
This is a bizarre column. Having grown up in Pakistan
this women should have known the culture in that
country is different. People there kiss and have sex
but in strict privacy. Bringing Americana to Karachi
is outlandish behavior. The culture all over the
world differs from place to place. As a visitor one
must be sensitive to the local culture.The end part
seems to be embellished to create a suspense thriller.
The police is familiar with the streets of Karachi and
would have chased this guy down anywhere. Americans
posting critically should understand that sex in public
place is not accepted in the east. It is a western
phenomenon. Secularization of the societies create
a vacuum filled with alcohol, drugs and sex. East
has a different way to fill the vacuum.
this women should have known the culture in that
country is different. People there kiss and have sex
but in strict privacy. Bringing Americana to Karachi
is outlandish behavior. The culture all over the
world differs from place to place. As a visitor one
must be sensitive to the local culture.The end part
seems to be embellished to create a suspense thriller.
The police is familiar with the streets of Karachi and
would have chased this guy down anywhere. Americans
posting critically should understand that sex in public
place is not accepted in the east. It is a western
phenomenon. Secularization of the societies create
a vacuum filled with alcohol, drugs and sex. East
has a different way to fill the vacuum.
5
Secularisation creates what? What is 'East"? This column is about Pakistan. While obviously I'm not Pakistani, I did spend some months there. Sexual urges are expressed in many ways, including the mass rape of young boys from poverty stricken families. The police like many Pakistanis look for any opportunity to gossip about women and girls they know, and as the writer says will happily rape women claiming sexual assault.
I would think the content of this column properly reflects the values and behaviour of much of the moneyed elite of Pakistan. As for alcohol, despite laws forbidding muslims to drink in Pakistan, many Pakistanis (men anyway) consume it at any opportunity, cost seems to be the only factor which limits it consummation. Apparently in the relatively small town on a major route where I spent half my time there were 3 shops selling alcohol. I was always amazed there were 3 and they were not bombed, I suppose that says something about how accepted drinking really is in Pakistan.
I would think the content of this column properly reflects the values and behaviour of much of the moneyed elite of Pakistan. As for alcohol, despite laws forbidding muslims to drink in Pakistan, many Pakistanis (men anyway) consume it at any opportunity, cost seems to be the only factor which limits it consummation. Apparently in the relatively small town on a major route where I spent half my time there were 3 shops selling alcohol. I was always amazed there were 3 and they were not bombed, I suppose that says something about how accepted drinking really is in Pakistan.
8
I think you mean "westernization" and not "secularization". I agree that as a visitor, one must be sensitive to local culture but this couple was protected by the privacy of their car. They were two consenting adults none the less. They were not having sex and were kissing. They had consumed alcohol but were not drunk, so I don't see what the problem here is. The real questions are 1) how seriously does a society protect the autonomy of its citizenry and 2) why does religion/culture have such a stranglehold on the LAW of the land?
2
SAK: ." Secularization of the societies create
a vacuum filled with alcohol, drugs and sex. East
has a different way to fill the vacuum."
Very true. Saudi funded madrassas that inculcate hatred and give birth to terrorists to be. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar today showed that "East
has a different way to fill the vacuum."
Rather scary in a country best described as a Failed State with nuclear weapons.
a vacuum filled with alcohol, drugs and sex. East
has a different way to fill the vacuum."
Very true. Saudi funded madrassas that inculcate hatred and give birth to terrorists to be. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar today showed that "East
has a different way to fill the vacuum."
Rather scary in a country best described as a Failed State with nuclear weapons.
1
Thank you for sharing such a human story. A country where the most basic urges of biology are criminalized and which expends so much energy to enforce this unnatural system has naturally no energy to produce much of importance. Where are the dissertations, the Nobel prices, the ground-breaking research coming from the Islamic world?
But it produces frustrations and anger against anyone or any country that cherishes the liberty of the individual's pursuit of happiness. Hence all the terror and hate crimes.
But it produces frustrations and anger against anyone or any country that cherishes the liberty of the individual's pursuit of happiness. Hence all the terror and hate crimes.
18
It is ridiculous to conflat this incident with Nobel
prize and scientific research. The basic urge is
satisfied in the east through the marriage. Afterall,
east has huge population and the babies are not
dropped through the chimney.
prize and scientific research. The basic urge is
satisfied in the east through the marriage. Afterall,
east has huge population and the babies are not
dropped through the chimney.
3
Before Americans feel superior, imagine if this was an interracial couple in the Jim Crow South. Jail would be the least of their problems.
BTW, do Pakistani police approach a suspect vehicle before running the license plate? If they had, driving away would be pointless.
BTW, do Pakistani police approach a suspect vehicle before running the license plate? If they had, driving away would be pointless.
10
So your point is that Americans should only feel about a century and a half superior?
1
No, we should understand that different societies have different rules and we violate them at our peril.
There are plenty of institutions in the US that prohibit public displays of affection. We were never promises life, liberty, and the right to make out in a car.
BTW, Jim Crow was not 150 years ago. It was more like 50 years and there are still places that never got the memo.
There are plenty of institutions in the US that prohibit public displays of affection. We were never promises life, liberty, and the right to make out in a car.
BTW, Jim Crow was not 150 years ago. It was more like 50 years and there are still places that never got the memo.
11
The upper classes in Pakistan have always behaved as they wished. Their experiences are not relevant to everyday Pakistanis. Ms. Khan should save this for her facebook page.
21
Oh, Lord. Isn't it obvious that Western culture IS superior at least in terms of letting people be?
11
Haha, yes! If this were in the US, the police might well have shot and killed these two people of color. Such superiority!
5
It is simplistic to argue that different cultures have different customs and rules and that's where the judgement should end. Would that mean that it is ok to stone someone for adultery or for switching from Islam to Christianity (example only, I am not religious)? A guidepost might be which culture allows more freedom for self expression, more equality and more tolerance. Most people, when given a choice between Pakistan and the US as places to live, would choose the US, and not only because it is wealthier. On another note, a friend of mine was shot and killed in Peshawar, simply because he was an American, while working on an aid program.
2
The real problem is that Pakistan is moving in the wrong direction. A 100 years ago, most of the world was like this. In the 60's and 70's, Pakistanis enjoyed far more freedom than today. Where the rest of the world is moving forward, Pakistan is moving backwards. You come from a privileged background and belong to the majority community. What of the minorities, for whom a simple indiscretion can lead to loss of life or freedom. Freedom of press and democracy is meaningless in Pakistan because it is only used to oppress those who are already dispossessed.
46
First of all before criticizing Pakistan you should look up your own country's statics regarding rape, highest rate of rape, a country which is not safe for women no matter what. Pakistan is moving 100 years backward, and still its #Resolution Day is being celebrated in United Nations. Pakistan has no democracy & oppression for minorities still Pakistan announced nation wide holiday on the Holi Festive for the sake of minorities. Look up the cast and racism which is killing not only minorities but common people in India.
Every country has some norms and customary practices which people have to follow anyway. I agree the Police System is needs to be unbiased and fair but that doesn't grant you permission to have physical and moral decline at least in Public. Every human have some desires and needs if you really want to fulfill them do it within boundaries. Don't give others a chance to point their finger on you. Pakistan is an Islamic country and open adultery is prohibited in Islam and in our society. So you should take care of the place you're living at for a while.
Every country has some norms and customary practices which people have to follow anyway. I agree the Police System is needs to be unbiased and fair but that doesn't grant you permission to have physical and moral decline at least in Public. Every human have some desires and needs if you really want to fulfill them do it within boundaries. Don't give others a chance to point their finger on you. Pakistan is an Islamic country and open adultery is prohibited in Islam and in our society. So you should take care of the place you're living at for a while.
3
Meeru: "First of all before criticizing Pakistan you should look up your own country's statics regarding rape, highest rate of rape, a country which is not safe for women no matter what. "
Umm..one rape is one too many. Pakistan's odious indifference to women (shared by the non-Islamic state of India) is difficult to compare to Western societies. A raped woman on the subcontinent has a choice to marry her rapist, reporting it to the police and being raped by them, or stoned to death,acid attack, or set on fire.
It's tough for me to see your equivalence that rape is just as widespread in the West
Umm..one rape is one too many. Pakistan's odious indifference to women (shared by the non-Islamic state of India) is difficult to compare to Western societies. A raped woman on the subcontinent has a choice to marry her rapist, reporting it to the police and being raped by them, or stoned to death,acid attack, or set on fire.
It's tough for me to see your equivalence that rape is just as widespread in the West
1