Though you might not guess as much by looking at him, the PTI’s honey-loving, rabble-rousing Ali Amin Gandapur, nominated for the murder of not one but two PTI members by the latter’s family, is, by qualification, a fashion designer.
Is the fellow insecure because of that, or insecure, generally, we don’t know. What if this boorish, tough-man demeanour is an act, by way of compensation? Maybe all he wants to do is design clothes and think about fashion but the realpolitik of Dera Ismail Khan can’t let a man dream?
Another fellow who seems to have gotten in the wrong line of work is M’Lord, the chief justice, who after hydrological economics, wants to weigh in on women’s fashion a little too much.
Justice Saqib Nisar, during a speech delivered in Karachi on January 13, quoted former British prime minister Winston Churchill as saying that “a good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest”.
Women’s associations, one needn’t mention, weren’t amused. The Women Lawyers’ Association denounced him for it. “The subject in question, of course, would be a woman’s legs and genitals,” read a statement issued by the organisation. “It is disappointing to hear the highest judicial authority in our country using women’s bodies to illustrate a point about public speaking in this manner….Given the global conversation today about the impact of discrimination on women’s lives, ranging from casual sexism in the workplace to sexual assault, the statement is particularly tone-deaf, tasteless, and unbecoming of the Chief Justice of any country.”
To his credit, the man subsequently expressed regret over his words. A gigantic feat, considering whatever we can glean about his personality from his statements.
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However, his interest in women’s clothing is not only limited to making inappropriate analogies. No, he wants to play a proactive role, this time not as a critic or creator, but moralist.
M’Lorship expressed anger at the “obscenity” aired on Pakistani television channels recently. “We are liberal but we will not tolerate obscenity,” he said at a hearing, where instructions were also passed on to Pemra.
During the hearing, he also observed that offensive dress up by women in award ceremonies is unacceptable.
The chief justice also reportedly cut actor Adnan Siddiqui down to size as well at the hearing.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Body (PEMRA) has allowed Pakistani TV channels to air only 6% of the foreign content during 24 hours. The protestors say Pakistani TV channels, breaching the rules, are currently airing 30% to 90% of foreign content during prime hours of 7 pm till 11 pm.
The problem with the producers and actors appealing to the courts is that the line they take, amongst others, is how Indian content is “vulgar” and not in line with our national values. The Lordships agree, but apply the same principle to Pakistani content. It’s a poisoned chalice, getting the courts to weigh in on the regulation of content is.
