Sharmeen has proved that Pakistan is not just what it is being portrayed in the media – OBL, angry people burning other countries’ flags, chained students in madrassahs, boys of 12 year age exploding themselves while killing scores. Pakistan is also a country of some very talented people.
Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won an Academy Award for her documentary “Saving Face”. As expected she dedicated her award to the women in Pakistan asking them not to give up as tomorrow will be better than today.
Saving Face is a documentary which highlights a horrible menace wherein women are disfigured by throwing acid on their faces as punishment. Punishment for what – resisting harassment, turning down a marriage proposal, settling family feuds, just think of any unthinkable justification.
Congratulations to Pakistanis for this marvellous achievement – first ever nomination for Oscar and winning the same. One day, this country will not be recognised by its tribal links which still see women in some parts of the country as a commodity, something to settle feuds among families and tribes.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia