Who’s more liberal? Sindhi babus or English mems

The English media in the country is not the only progressive and moderate forum to express liberal thoughts and views, the Sindhi literature is even more tolerant as evident by the issue of martyrdom of Salmaan Taseer, when hundreds of articles were printed in different sections of the Sindhi press in support of the slain Punjab governor, while the Urdu media praised Taseer’s killer.
This was observed during a heated discussion among the participants of the “Pen as Sword” session at the two-day Karachi Literary Festival (KLF), which kicked off on Saturday at a hotel bringing together an array of authors, intellectuals and media personalities from Pakistan and abroad.
National and international intellectuals listened and participated in different sessions on the burning issues facing the world especially the South Asian region.
The annual festival was launched in 2010 to bring together and celebrate Pakistani and international authors’ writing in different languages especially English, French, German, Punjabi, Sindhi and Urdu.
During the debate – where Sanam Bhutto also participated – the role of English, Urdu, Sindhi, Seraiki, Punjabi and Balochi media and literature regarding the current situation of the country and region.
However, when some speakers stated that English is the only language in which progressive and moderate thoughts can be expressed in Pakistan, whereas there is almost no room in the Urdu media to express liberal views, a heated discussion ensued among the participants.
“The Urdu media was exposed especially after the murder of Punjab Governor Taseer,” it was said. “Most Urdu literature made the killer of Taseer a hero. The Urdu electronic media even aired programmes in support of Mumtaz Qadri. No was dared to print views other than supporting Qadri in the Urdu media.”
It was said that in reality the Sindhi media in the country is more progressive to express liberal thoughts. “On the martyrdom of Taseer, more than 200 articles and editorials were printed in different section of the Sindhi press in support of the slain governor and strongly condemned Mumtaz Qadri,”
“If someone cannot read or understand the Sindhi, Seriaki and Balochi languages, it does not mean there is nothing in these languages. A lot of valuable literature has been contributed in these languages that are now considered as ‘regional’ languages,” some said. “If this literature is translated into English language, everyone will know how daring are the writings that appear in the Sindhi, Seraiki and Balochi press.”
It was debated that the narrative should stop if there is nothing progressive in the Urdu media, as it means there is also nothing in other languages of the country.
The annual literature festival – founded by Oxford University Press (OUP) Managing Director Ameena Saiyid and Asif Farrukhi – is being jointly organised by the British Council and the OUP.
Earlier, in the inaugural session of KLF, speeches were delivered by David Martin, Saiyed, Farrukhi, Dr Marilyn Wyatt, while the keynote speaker was acclaimed writer and historian William Dalrymple.
In her speech, the OUP managing director was of the view that the reading habit is not dying in Pakistan. “We would not be here if it were so. Of course we have to work together to develop the market for books, but with imagination and perseverance the field is wide open.”
“The genre of children’s writing alone has not much potential. There are unexplored themes of fiction. The novels written here are usually about middle class life but apart from that there are a plethora of themes waiting to spring to life under a writer’s touch,” she said.
Speaking at the festival’s launch, the wife of US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, Dr Marilyn Wyatt, encouraged the participants to donate a book purchased at the KLF to school libraries.
A large number of people of all ages and gender, especially youngsters, attended the different events of KLF. Several publishing houses have established book stalls at the event.
The festival will continue until Sunday.