The transformation of Pakistani Society 

Qandeel Baloch, growing radicalisation and hypocrisy 

Put religion, entertainment, radicalisation, orthodox traditions, economic suppression, capitalistic greed, fame, sexual repression, experimentation with modernity and God-complex and tools of information technology in a cauldron and you get a sense of the complex nature of transformations undertaking in the Pakistani society.

Today, more than ever, our country is facing the heat of the consequences of the strategic blunders that we have made over the past seventy years on the behest of the external pressures posed by the international players, short-sighted foreign policy decisions and our general inability to rectify systematic deficiencies. Our politicians have seldom, if ever, stood up for any systematic reform that stemmed from high moral principles and values- mainly because it would mean that would have to comply with it as well. As a result of the continued lack of moral and sustained leadership, our people and in turn our institutions, are still struggling to define their identity.

We have turned a blind eye to the demons in our society for so long that it has legitimised them. Our power structure is built in a way that it requires to feed these vices to remain in control and exert influence. With the fear of losing ground and support, very few challenge the outdated and antiquated traditional norms that are prevalent in our country. The critics and opponents of status-quo are dealt with mercilessly and many have to pay the price with their own blood or of their loved ones. In our deeply patriarchal and misogynist society, strong anti-status quo women face a double marginalisation, for having a voice and (especially) for being a woman.

This week, another one of us has been killed in cold blood while we anxiously wait for the last straw that makes this empire of 190 million people crumble to the ground. We have been so corrupted and polluted form inside that I fear that there won’t be enough spirit in our ashes to rise up again. Or worse yet, if it comes to that, should we even consider to do so.

Whether it was ‘preservation of family honour’ or ‘greed for money’ that motivated Qandeel Baloch’s brother, the fact remains the twenty six year old was murdered in cold blood. The only thing worse, if there could be anything worse than a guilty less person losing their life, was the mixed reaction on the internet and media to the news of her death. For any reasonable person, it is utterly baffling how people can support the murder of a person. But alas, stranger things have happened in our land.

With rampant corruption, disproportional economic opportunities and persistent suppression of expression in conventional platforms, the social networks have become the hub for the youth in Pakistan trying to find their golden moment- their chance to make it big under the spotlight and turn around their fate. Given the economic background of Qandeel Baloch, I don’t think that her activities on social networks were anything more than that. The traction that she garnered online got her a role in one of the leading reality shows in India. Which shows that in this age of instant connectivity, anyone can become famous really and many are willing to cross all moral boundaries to get there.

The short-lived life, instant fame and tragic death of Qandeel Baloch have forced us as a society to look at ourselves in the mirror and to reflect on what we have become. With every piece of cloth, she stripped naked the hypocrisy of our society. She acted in a way that was unconventional and challenged the norms of modesty that we have set for women in our society. If she was really that immoral then why then did her each video had hundreds and thousands of views? The truth is that the very people who spitted hatred against her were the ones to jump off to the computer screen to see her every new video clip.  She was made to share panels with religious scholars on news shows to spark heated debates, controversy and in turn, higher ratings. The comments of prominent political analysts on mass media that she called it upon herself highlight how deep patriarchy is imbedded in our culture.

With just a few pictures and a video with Mufti Qavi, a person with supposed conservative stance on women, brought in question the legitimacy of the so-called religious clergy in our country that capitalise on their moral supremacy every chance they get. Unfortunately, not learning from his past mistakes, it didn’t take long for Mufti Qavi to pass a startling statement after the death of Qandeel that her murder should serve as a lesson for all those who try to immune religious entities. Politicisation of religion is not a new phenomenon in our country, it has been always used as a tool to generate support and legitimise actions by our leadership. However, given the growing radicalisation in our society, it has led to a severe divide in the left and right wings. Everyone thinks that they are right, smart, have informed opinions and the right to enforce their thoughts on others in order to ‘correct’ them and bring them to enlightenment. From teachers, politicians, over-night celebrities to so-called liberal elite and religious clerics, most in our country are faced with the God-Complex. While many use words to enforce their opinions but in a country where there is no rule of law and accountability, it becomes a possible avenue for many to abuse, bully and kill to get things done their way.

The real or the manifested divide between the left and the right is more apparent than ever. People are adopting more radical mediums of expression in order to have a few moments of glory and in this process, they are destroying and obliterating the basic civic sense that holds the society together. Meanwhile, a whole bunch is busy to see how they can mint off money from this mess using religion, technology or any other tool at their disposal. Qandeel Baloch was both a product and a victim of this larger cultural transformation that is underway in our country; which has its roots in our deficiencies and our deep confusions- the consequences of which we are grossly unprepared to face.