Last month, the Punjab Assembly resolved to ban all late-night call packages offered by mobile telecommunications companies in the province. During vigorous assembly debates, it was concluded that the ability to make cheap, late-night phone calls was having a negative impact on this country’s bright young things. Forget terrorism, the energy crisis, a weakened government, and water shortages – apparently boys and girls texting and calling each other past their bed time has become a matter of national concern.
Hence the assembly resolution demanding that mobile companies stop promoting “cheap rate, late night packages that alter societal tendencies.” Luckily for us nocturnal phone addicts, the powers that be haven’t yet discovered the prevalence of instant messenger or the internet.
I hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but cheap mobile packages don’t corrupt the youth, society corrupts the youth. After all, the previous generation grew up without mobile phones, the internet, cable television, and Gossip Girl, and they’ve hardly turned out to be bastions of virtue.
The youth’s desire for healthy communicative relationships won’t evaporate because placing a call gets a few bucks more expensive. Youngsters invest in relationships the same way our army invests in defence: frequently, expensively, and with no regard for better judgement.
This measure is the latest in long-standing social and political movement to micromanage the morality of young Pakistanis. Society’s pandering and preaching has long complicated any healthy degree of interaction between the sexes. Most parents (of girls, in particular) are heavily in favour of social segregation. As a result, there are already enough impediments to gender-mixing without the government getting a piece of the action as well.
To a large extent, family impediments are impenetrable – and incomprehensible. Take the following examples:
The Dad Double Standard: It’s tough for a guy to get to know a girl in a healthy manner, and fathers of young girls prefer to keep it that way. As far as Dads are concerned, the only boys their daughters ought to speak with are ones that don’t exist. Think of it as the ‘Beti, get yourself an imaginary friend’ syndrome if you will.
Ironically, the rules don’t apply vice versa. If a father sees his virile son ‘hanging out’ with girls, it’s taken as a sign of how masculine his son is and seen as time to hand out cigars and buy the boy his first Kalashnikov.
Mom Protection Agency: Moms are terrific, but let no one be fooled: these women are hellbent on protecting their daughters’ ‘piety,’ even if it means hiring their a personalised Blackwater security detail to follow their girls around. Instructions are simple, ‘If you see a larka talk to her, shoot him’.
On the flip side, if a mother sees her sons associating with members of the opposite sex, she immediately assumes that the girl is trying to ‘trap’ him and orders in another private mercenary. What a world we live in.
Above and beyond the Dad Double Standard and Mom Protection Agency, youngsters who want to get to know each other a bit better will now have to contend with the Punjab Assembly.
On this point, I can fume, I can cry, or I can ridicule. I’ve decided to go with ridicule.
So let’s help our virtuous, morally sound, and socially conscious government out. What other inane acts of grandstanding can they indulge in to prevent the altering of societal tendencies among today’s youth?
They can start with the establishment of a new ministry for Aunties United in Napalming & Tormenting the Youth. The AUNTY Ministry will be responsible for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice amongst the youth. They will be committed to nation-building and progress by minimising any interaction between boys and girls, and they will promote virtue by…well, that’s in next year’s budget.
Here are some initiatives on the agenda of the AUNTY Ministry:
1. Shopping Malls Law: Women will only be allowed to visit shopping areas for certain hours of the day. The AUNTY Ministry can liberally whip (yes, they will be issued Made in China whips) the predominantly male shop owners at will … how dare they look at their customers during a good price haggling session. Men are recommended to launch a Pakistani version of E-Bay.
2. Face-to-Face Interactions Initiative: The solution is simple: don’t let women leave their homes – ever. Female parliamentarians can install webcams in the provincial and national assemblies and vote via G-chat. In fact, the AUNTY ministry will combine this initiative with their recommendation for a massive expansion of online colleges and classes. How dare young boys be in a situation where they might even smell a girl!?! The exposure may even drive youngsters into a frenzy, prompting them to place late-night calls without the benefits of a package discount.
3. Gaming Zones Restrictions: Currently, video game centres are man havens – girls just don’t play video games. However, in anticipation of the mehndi version of Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band, the AUNTY Ministry recommends a ban on gaming for all women (this will apply in the early morning and afternoon as well as late at night). Oddly enough, this will be the one proclamation that neither sex will be too bothered with.
5. Ladies lunch laws: Close down all ‘family’ sections of restaurants and install video cameras that relay the footage of mixed-gender meals on the web, thereby allowing parents and the AUNTY ministry to track scandalous couples and punish them by lamenting how they have shamed the last 29 generations. I always enjoy a good show with my dinner.
The Big Idea: Today’s ‘youth’ don’t need paternalistic protectionist polices, though in our heart of hearts, we are honoured that our elected officials care – it’s so flattering, really. We’d greatly appreciate it, however, if they could focus their energies on prevalent issues such as load shedding, unemployment, and food prices. Ultimately, politicians are elected to govern, not to preach or parent, particularly when their own track record is so dicey. Pity the youth don’t vote … maybe we should?
Murtaza Ali Jafri is a Karachi-based banking professional. He believes in free markets and freedom, and wishes men could get more of the latter. Read his blog at www.Alphaza.blogspot.com.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Of course pakistan facing hard time and crisis emerges like spiral they sitch one wound and not wait for an other wound this goes on and on … but Govt have to address all issues like multiproccesser do if they address this issure one should not outcry over it this is foremost duty of make humble environment for all segament of like this is article just vent some people well known approch towards isssues like this waste of time and energy as whole
I find this article an absolute thing to make the so called democratic Govt. realize the actual issues at hand. out of no where, they will find such stupid issues, just to frustrate the youth more. what else they are not doing to get this ‘frustrating’ job done already, by means of corruption, filthy politics, loot maar, creating law & order situation, no consideration on water & electricity shortages, price hike and all to name… may be the list never end of their countless bad things, done to this country and nation. our nation is so innocent and illiterate to make the right decision in elections, that every time. I definitely oppose the resolution and would like to leave a message for the nation and specially youth. Please do vote for the right in next elections, (I hope they are soon to take place, otherwise the evils of the present Govt. will not be handled before the next 50 years time is over). Again, Please use your vote power for the right… hope you all get my point.. as to eradicate the conventional 2 or 3 parties, who just take their turns…
Maybe it was time to blakcmail the mobile companies to get some money out of them!
I certainly agree with you Umar, no doubt, you never know, how evil these people (sitting in assemblies) could be…
For a country that’s been in the midst of a national crisis for its entire existence, I’m sure there are far more gripping issues that need to be pursued. Honestly, is there nothing else that interests Pakistani parliamentarians besides sex, hadood ordinance, so called ‘woman’s laws’ , you get the idea.
Technology, like anything else, can be used for good or bad purposes, depends on the user. For instance, my aged insomniac uncle in Pakistan has benefited from this package greatly because he can call me and my family for a small charge so its a good thing
This was a very well written article. I found the info to be shocking aswell as amusing on various levels. The border line is that the government will do anything and everything to take of attention from its back and what better way to do this than to create a frustrated youth.
I totally agree with the poster of this article, these people must give more attention solve the real issues our country is facing instead of wasting their time on this useless stuff.
I think they seem to be out of issues which can be discussed and found passing crap resolutions.
BTW the concerns must be the security situation, coping with robberies, crimes and on going corruption other then youngsters talking to each other.
Very good article. This is the same assembly, which passed resolution that they will not pay agriculture income tax, if levied by the Federal government. Then the Chief Minister says that this government and Taliban are in sync. What is happening to the legislature and administrative setup of this beloved province of ours.
I have found Pakistan to be a society of great contradiction and full of hypocrisy. There are greater things which are far more important that our useless administration needs to focus on — how about saving a collapsing state for e.g –.
All we Pakistanis know is how to talk talk talk and crib about every other person. We are so caught up in meaningless small talk. Travel around the world and you will never find such a messed up country where people have such a weird mindset.
Grow up people and learn to accept others.
I am happy that gov. in Pakistan is taking some good decisions. I don’t like the system there in Pakistan but we should appreciate if good things happen.
I lived in Pakistan for the first 18 years of my life and then I moved to USA. USA has reached the culminating point of freedom among the youth, which our youngster are considering glamorous and appropriate.
I believe that we ought to see the future of our society, if we were to embark on this course. As most of you know this freedom has brought many evils and extremely negative repercussion in the Western Society, which we ought to consider very seriously before we try to transform the piety in our Society.
It is perhaps only the top 0.25% of the population, which is aspiring for the Social transformation and FREEDOM, however, when you grow up and if you turn out to be a decent person, I am assuming that your perception will change.
Learn good things from other societies, and reject the bad. Bad things appear glamorous and easy to adopt, however, good things requires guts and wisdom. Why are we not trying to adopt the good work ethics of the West, hard work, perseverance and honesty which are also embedded in the Western Societies.
You cannot ban internet or stop youth entry to parks and restaurants to avoid any negative impacts on our youth. How to live life is ones own decision as long as they are educated about it.
I am lucky enough to have grown up in Lahore from mid 80s to mid 90s, wow what a time, development, festivals, culture just everything was at its peak and every next day was a day to look forward too.
I am glad to see that we are now taking things seriously and Inshallah in next elections we will make the right choice.
Ali
This blog was totally off the track. Why does everyone one feels to get so negative. Alright maybe its not the best time to have such discussions when we have a threat of existence but lets appreciate if any good has happened.
I believe in freedom but it needs to have its limit. Today parents are busy enough to make both ends meet so if the govt is willing to provide some tools/rules so the future generation can be kept under some control then I dont see any harm in that.
Please for once appreciate some good efforts.
In terms of having limits on freedom, young people should be taught self control and self respect, not have it thrust on them by some “adult” agency. I certainly do not require government interference in how I communicate and who I communicate with. I am an adult, I can make my own decisions, and I am certainly willing to be responsible for those decisions.
Today’s parents are, I agree, quite busy. However, I do not believe they are too busy to do their most fundamental job of all, i.e. to parent!
I would most certainly appreciate “some good efforts”, but they have to make sense. One might begin by building stable power stations, investment in infrastructure etc-
and forget about the fictional rivalry with India. A neighbouring country is a potential for economic growth-pity most of the people don’t get that.
Thank you god for some voice of reason.
In our country, freedom is a word that only means being free of the rule of foreign powers, but to its core, the word freedom is more individualistic than nationalistic. We have forgotten that providing freedom of speech, thought, writing, etc is the main duty of the government, not to stifle it. So what that our youth might make a call at night. And hell, so what if they talk to youth of opposite sex. This nation has much much bigger fish to fry.
You think stopping this will make the nation any stronger? No! Teaching your youth to make the correct decision without parental supervision instills in them from a young age th ability to make smart choices, to say no to the wrong and yes to the right. How can you expect them to have any capacity of decision making at 25 when till 24 you dont make them make any decisions at all?
Maybe if we allow our youth to ‘get some practice’ of making decisions, they wouldnt turn out to be like the cheats and the liars.
I visited Pakistan couple of years back and what I have seen and heard I don’t believe this is same Pakistan I left 16 years ago. Blaming youth for using phone at night is like having all king of sweets in house and expecting little kids will not eat. Country needs education. I am not talking only school education. Education regarding everything they have or they want. Just don’t kill the messenger fix problem, educate people with reason tell them why they should use or not use.
It is very prudent to interfere with the communication between sexes by imposing limitation on cheap calls at night.
I am sorry you had to bring the army into this which you probably did to give weight to your point of view, which was irrelevant and unnecessary.They play a different and necessary ball game.But otherwise your views were OK. Increasing rates is not going reduce calls by much ,but it will certainly add profits to the cell phone companies.They must be smiling at this idea of the Punjab government.
The fact that Punjab Assembly was discussing about banning late night cell phones packages, I am quiet sure that the politicians are really no longer connected to the masses. Or maybe it was a home issue of a minister that spilled in to the assembly session
Haha, good one!
We should use the “pigeons”, they are cheap & their credits never run out.
A very True story of Our society, and i appreciate at least their is some one who availed the opportunity the unveil this ritual of our society.
And i am an effected one of this SCHOOL OF THOUGHT
Parents are of the view that their Son having all sort of Girl Friends, and all sort a enjoyment is a good son if in the end he marries according the will & wish of parents.
But a son who is not into Girls and ask parents to marry a specific girl is the worst of all siblings.
This is an example of of all the scenario in the Article of Mr. Muratza.
And These Night packages should not be taken only in this respect. Because its out society which has made girls & guys to talk in hide.
The majority of the comments are pretty depressing to be honest. The ban is yet another shortcut made in a society that’s not patient enough to see through actual, sustainable CHANGE. If you ban late night calls, kids will either simply end up paying more and talking the same amount of time, OR switching over to Internet/Skype. So do we ban those too?
The change must be at a level where kids just KNOW BETTER. That includes better parenting, better role models, better education. Unless you address these core issues, trying to take shortcuts through these asinine laws will never, never work in the long-term.
You are trying to get away with this in the total anarchy that prevails, not so fast!!
WOW!!! This is interesting; the government has let go of all other national and international issues and has begun to focus on how communication between the opposite sexes will affect the future?? Are u kidding me???? Look at all this replies to this blog: those who support the law, I pose only one question, which is : Don’t you all feel that the government has much more to address rather than dictating lives of common citizens regarding cell phone usage? I suggest that the government should worry less about the far future and worry more about the immediate situations at hand: unemployment, electricity shortage, bombings, the lack of security and the likes. Only if they address these issues, can there be a “far future” for this country. However, i know my input will just fuel questions and how the future depends upon the youth. Don’t worry about the youth, it will find its way and if you restrict it, then it wont blossom into what ever image you have of it!
Cudnt have said it better myself!!! =)
Honestly, I think there is a lack of morally debased people in Pakistan. We should encourage it. The moral police has brought us to the brink of disaster, maybe the morally debased can lift us out. They seem to be the only voice of rationality in our country. How about introducing some cheap 1 900 numbers.
Ghazi Ali Khan you say “we do not want our women to get moral low ground”. Please elaborate what you mean by it. How will your women get on moral low ground by talking on the mobile phones. It is for the women to decide, not their brothers.
I believe the ban on these late night packages must be done as they play a big role in corrupting the youth. Society my friend does corrupt the youth but what corrupts society?? This is one of the main issues that ruin the lives of young children.
1) staying up all night finishes their strength to pay attention in school due to lack of sleep
2) a young child up all night using such a facility is for sure upto no good as no sane person is up all night answering calls.
This issue that the assembly has put forward is an issue a truly stand by as we pakistani’s have the habit of tackling problems that have already caused disaster rather than tackling the root cause!
yes safety, security, power and so on are majer issues we are facing today, but those issues my friend are not ruiniing our morals or our society!….fixing economic issues does not improve or stabalize our morals!
Some of u would rather worry about the loss telecommunication companies will face with this ban instead of worrying or even taking time out to think about the amount of damage its putting onto your youth which is the future of Pakistan!!
only people that care about this country would understand the depth of this issue, others worried about the telecommunications company in my words are either well of materialistic Pakistanis or those who are getting their proper satisfaction from these late night packages.
If many of u think power, gas, security and so on are the only issues then stand up and fight for them! even in those topics people like you stand up and argue!
Just want to point out morals or morale less society, problems like load shedding and inflation have to be controlled first and foremost.
people in west where we easterners believe that no morality exists, end up getting all the awards and prizes, they win intellectually, academically and in extra curricular activities as well, and have the basic necessities of life.
Government will achieve nothing in banning these facilities given to public. In fact I think government will be able to extract more tax revenue from it,
because if government cared so much about morality it would ban cigarette and have shop keepers do ID checks before selling those cancer sticks.
Good reply
What a country we live in.It’s rather hilarious to find out the happenings and the kind of resolutions that are being generated in our legislative assemblies.The other day a female MP of Punjab Assembly stood up and declared that she was giving permission to all the husbands for a second marriage.It reminds me of my hostel days when an order was passed by the Principal that wearing Jeans and joggers are not allowed.
I believe that we as a nation are in habit of involving ourselves into non-issues.
For the free night calls,I certainly feel that Parenting is important and the parents have to teach the kids as to what is allowed and what is not allowed.We are living in a free and open world and our politicians are simply trying to involve themselves in issues which actually SELL in the market .
We needs bills for important issues..things that need to be addressed immediately, matters that have been unresolved for ages and still remain unsettled.How about passing a bill on Land reforms in Punjab and Sindh.How about passing a bill on no protocol for the parliamentarians. how about passing a bill that politicians won’t send lists of people they want to get inducted in government jobs.
We live in a free world and it’s a free society..
There is no such thing as absolute freedom. Why don’t we allow smoking and drugs also in the name of free world and free society? Why don’t we allow unregulated/uncensored entertainment in the name of free society?
I fully agree that there are pressing things but the values we need to espouse and cultivate in our youth can not be relegated to some “more” opportune time.
Excellent idea…it is the parents job to teach their kids right from wrong NOT the governments…whats next?
the government to ban beef because it leads to heart attacks…or how about banning the internet cause you can find “Less than Moral” content on it…
Maybe the youth should be put in government run institutions where they can be taught proper moral action…except who defines what proper moral action is?
Awesome !!
Anyone has any idea how ridiculous this ban or even thinking about such thing, at the provincial level, is .
I am very disappointed to read some comments here. I thought people would be maturing and realizing the more important factors that should be focused on.
I totally agree with the ban on late night cheap phone calls… we do not want our women to get a moral low ground and hence this ban is absolutely just right and moral… good job for once politicians…
What do you mean ‘your women’? Do you presume to own them?
Also I can’t actually believe this is an issue. It’s a late night package. So what? is it worth being taken into parliament? it’s ironic how the maximum amount of censorship and imprisonment is actually generated by the people.
After some time, govt will start to discuss and ban the mid night deals offered by fast food restaurants as this making our youth obese and taking them away from traditional home cooked meals and creating distance between the child and their families…then later govt will also take action against summer or winter sale discounts offered by some very good international brands because its destroying our local market and it can go on and on and on….
First of all, we have nothing to do with OTHERS business and what they do. The only reason for promoting these late night packages is to do the business and utilise those hours where they can make money by utilising those hours. same is the case with our national telecom company PTCL, now even they are offering so many packages and free hours just to make money so why dont we ban them as well?
shame on you all supporing this stupid law…For them its marketing and promotion and its their business, if we dont have control over our generation/children/siblings/daughters then we should not blame this lacking/weakness of ours on others. Its basically the part of FAMILY ETHICS that you grow up with and if they are not strong enough then its ONLY OUR FAULT