In Memory of Wali Khan Babar

Neither do we speak the truth nor do we let anyone else do it!

This is the reality of our nation of the so called *armed patriotic loyalists*. News of the brutal target killing of the Geo News Reporter Wali Khan Babar has greatly grieved me, this is how we treat those who are striving to stick to the truth and are contributing to the economy of this so called developing nation. Do not question me on my patriotism as i spill drops of anger for this nation as it is not something i'd cherish if this is how we treat our residents. We talk about igniting the spirit of patriotism in the youth and making them in-charge of bringing about the change! What change do you want? Do you really want the change? I say, let's just stop with this BS and accept it. We do not want the change...and neither can we get it. Unless we are willing to sacrifice all those who have genuine patriotic feelings for this nation.

I call myself a Pakistani and i am glad ONLY because my ancestors had struggled to bring me to this separate state. That is it! Those in power, from whichever political party, are the ones who should be targeted to be killed. Idle Hypocrites who can only TALK on talkshows and who do not even have the courage to walk the streets of THEIR COUNTRY without their GUARDS or their so called PROTOCOL. These LEADERS as they call themselves need to look inside their souls and weigh the probability of themselves going to heaven.(I am this decision rests with God, but i think even a child who has started school knows that hitting someone,let alone killing, is wrong and God doesn't like it).

We live in a developing Jungle...where we kill to eat...kill to live.....kill to survive. Today you google Wali Khan Babar's name and you see how he was striving to stick to bravery and honesty for this nation which gave him brutal death in return. I won't be surprised if tomorrow you google my name and see that i too have been forced to leave this country and return to the Almighty by those who just could not handle the truth.

*This may have been written in anger and you might think i have gone too far in criticizing the political elites...but i stand by every word i have written. You shouldn't lead if you can't control your own followers! You all have to return to God! And don't forget when you do....you will have more people wanting to see you in Hell and your loyal followers...will only be allowed to join you there!*
Long live all those who wish to bring about the change. My advice...every child, teenager, young adult, student, employed, unemployed personnel should write their wills in advance and clearly mention...that if incase they die an unnatural death, the government and those in power in this country, are to be held responsible!

As Seen on TV – Evil Eye Protector [Video]

For all those who have WorldCall connection for their television sets, they have probably come across the advertisement for *Evil Eye Protector* endorsed by ‘As seen on TV’. I don’t normally watch any advert by them coz of the simple reason, their ads are repeated twice and are just too long for me to bear. Also, I just don’t think I fall in their targeted customers.

But recently, while switching channels I saw an advert for *Evil Eye Protector*, a pendant that one should wear to protect themselves against people and their evil eye. The reason why I stopped to see the entire ad, was ONLY because I had a bracelet gifted to me that had the same eye. I know about the eye icon and people beliefs about it protecting you against evil but I never happened to believe in it to the extent of wearing it for that specific purpose.

Anyhow, what surprised me was the disappointing way the advert talked about protecting oneself from*Nazar Lagna*. Examples discussed include: new office opening and the business going down, child falling ill every time people complimented him/her, losses, no proposals for your daughter etc etc. I do believe in *Nazar Lagna* but I don’t think that it is appropriate to sell a jewelery item for more than Rs. 1000 by fooling people to this extent. What happened to believing in God? To the traditional method of Nazar Utarna. I agree everyone does not know how to do it, but still I wouldn’t say the Evil Eye Protector can be justified.

I tried searching for the local video that I had watched but found an Indian Version instead. Watch it to see what I mean. Also note THE RAYS that link one’s evil eye to the person. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-F_qKetSs&feature=player_embedded#!

TOYO Plastic & Washing Machines? Oh No… Not again!

If you have witnessed the recent advertisements from TOYO, then I can say with full surety that either you would have fallen off your seats laughing or cursed the advertisement agency for coming up with such an ad. I experienced both!!

If I get into explaining what exactly happens in the advert, I might loose track of what I actually want to say so I am going to leave you with a bit of suspense so that you are glued to your screens to witness the state of a few of our ad agencies.

With the growth of the advertisement industry in Pakistan, such advertisements really disappoint a marketer and those who wish to be marketers. When our products are competing to be the biggest brands and improving their quality to stand out, we still see the communication errors and that too quite visibly. Say for example, we have seen recent talk about Kashmir Premium Gold with ‘Hur Ghar main Basa Pyar’ and their seductive approach to selling Cooking oil, the Slice advert, Stillman’s advert with the little boy yelling CHACHU GORI!

Where is the fault? In the brief that these agencies get or in the brainstorming that the agencies do? I fail to understand.

Also, shouldn’t there be some advertising standards or guidelines. A minimum acceptable standard that the advertisement should meet to be sent on air? I think just like PEMRA steps up every time someone raises a voice, there should be someone actually approving the ad and this criteria should be based on advert executive with respect to the product and not lower the advertisement standards.

Coming back to the TOYO advertisement for the plastic chairs and the washing machine, just the way the model feels the chair with her hand and says TOYO would make one want to puke! If you think I’m overreacting… watch the ad and then comment!
UPDATE: The ad was discovered online and shared below. You can enjoy the ad at your own comfort. TO-YO… Seduction OMG!

P.S. TOYO Group of Industries Pakistan ACTUALLY possesses The American International Quality Certificate as well! GOD!

7 UP – Thumbs Up Advertising – Simpler is Better!

Just a quick blog post to refresh your minds. I noticed my previous blogs have focused on criticizing adverts but this one’s a little different and I might not like the drink but I like their concept and execution!

No doubt the ‘Simpler is Better’ advertising must have gone through a strenuous task of coming up with the right communication message and tone for the viewers but I think the ad indeed speaks for the brand. It demonstrates how simpler is actually better. Loved the concept of the refreshing machine and the way the icy water, lemon juice and the normal dryer try to freshen the dude… it develops the perfect brand connection.

Thumbs Up to 7UP indeed for this one… sigh if only I was a fan of their taste I’d just go refresh myself!

What are students taught at Universities like MAJU?

Refer to the 2 images in my blog. One was posted on August 31, 2010 and the other one on September 29, 2010. If i ask you to chalk out the differences between the 2, it will be quite obvious to point out what i am trying to hint at.
A friend posted the MAJU image on my wall today and i was shocked. If a university student likes the idea of another university marketing society, he can atleast amend it before publishing it. By amending it, i do not mean just changing the name of the university, but i mean changing the text, graphics and colours AT-LEAST. If our students aren't taught the basics of plagiarism and using their brains, then what worth is a degree? If by simply copying stuff, one tends to benefit from a few "compliments" would this last? Would this guarantee a place in an organization? Would you be able to prove your worth and survive in the competitive job market? I doubt!

So a piece of advice to all SZABISTIANS.. Do not ever do what MAJU just did..coz it takes years to create goodwill for yourself and your institution and a single act of yours can lead to a negative image for your alma mater.

Maria B. on "Islam Hum Sab Ke Liye" (Hum TV)

What would come to your mind if i link designers with a purely Islamic show? I don't know about you but it certainly makes me lose the credibility of the discussion of the show. HUM TV has started a transmission by the name of "Islam Hum Sab Ke Liye" starring Maria B and Khaled Zaheer. I mean Maria B dressed up with a dupatta on her head acting all Islamic was kind of a turn off for me.

I tracked the show down on Maria B's profile page on facebook and just as i expected,people's comments on the show advert were more negative than positive. To Quote, one of the fans had even commented that they are creating their own version of Islam to accommodate themselves. I could not agree more.

And for those who think the linkage between Maria B and the Ramadan transmission is great, don't think too much. Why? Because the positive comments on the programme relate to her looking beautiful, dresses looking awesome and her way of speaking being admirable. I mean hello!! Viewers are to concentrate on the Islamic preachings being discussed and not the attire. I wouldn't blame them. This is what you get when you have a fashion designer as your host!

Several questions rummage through my brain when i try to make sense out of it. Questions like, would this mean that Maria B will have her new stock of clothes as Shariah Compliant? Can we assume that there will be no rip off strategies for the customers? Are all clothes going to be full sleeves and non-transparent?

For all those who think i'm anti-Maria B.. Relax, i like a few of her dresses.But that still does not qualify her as the right host for a Ramadan based Islamic transmission.

If someone has answers to my questions, feel free to post and comment!

From do talwar to teen talwar.......

From do talwar to teen talwar, I happened to be on the same public road with a government official! I know its surprising and a bit thought provoking on how this could be possible. How did I manage to drive my car side by side the official with a green number plate? Here’s how…

I was enjoying the beautiful cloudy weather this morning as my driver drove me to office and while being driven, I collected my thoughts on the work to be done at office, the deadlines to meet, began planning my day, when the peace in my brain got shattered by a desperate siren. There was a police van (dark blue in colour) honking at us from a distance urging us to move. There was space at the right and it could have easily overtaken us (ignoring the public service messages placed everywhere that read “Caution! Overtaking can be fatal”), but no, it had to use the lane we were on.

My driver, acted responsibly and turned the car in the next lane. I assumed that now I could get back to my planning but the show hadn’t concluded. In a flash, there were 3 cars that drove past us at a speed that was horrifying. Two of them were police vans, the same blue ones, and one of them was the GS green number plate car with a flag. *Why wasn’t I surprised* The cars drove past us and my driver returned to our old lane again. (First mistake). We got back on track and again the siren. This time we had a white police van behind us, honking at us to move. My driver, frustrated, turned the car in the other lane again and this time recklessly!The white van also passed by and i decided to pay attention on why these 3 police vans were needed.

Allow me to describe the strategic placement of the cars: The blue van in front, the GS green number plate car sandwiched in the centre, followed by the other part of the sandwich blue van. The white van would move from left to right between this sandwich to move the cars from being next to this trio. I mean, hello!, it’s our road too..

You cannot just keep on making us move from left to right just cos you want the trio to be on the road ALONE. Oh and what strategy, if the blue van would move from the straight line, then the white van would cover for it. WoW!! And the beauty that they displaced in how *not to drive* was also awesome! It was not just reckless but untidy. If the life of the one sitting in the car was THIS IMPORTANT, and he/she needed security, there was no point of putting everyone else’s life on stake via this *Truckdriver-style driving* which we have been criticizing in all newspapers.

Oh well!!! Who denies that the rules for all not the same!! After all, we do follow the law of the jungle? Or do we? Now that ii have vented my frustration, time to get back to work! Have a good day all!