Cinemas’ loss shocks art fraternity
Protesters torch a cinema in Peshawar, Sept 21, 2012. — Photo by AP
KARACHI, Sept 21: The burning of five cinema halls by a mob on Friday shocked not just the people associated with the business but the art fraternity in general.
It strengthened the view held by sceptics who have felt that the space for creative expression and artistic representation is increasingly shrinking in Pakistan.
Film exhibitor, distributor and owner of one of the cinemas that were set on fire Nadeem Madviwalla said: “I don’t know why the government announced that day (reference to the public holiday). It baffles me.
“The government has completely failed to protect everybody. You see, there isn’t protection for anyone. It is confusing as to why every time they allow the mob to enter M.A. Jinnah Road. It’s not for the first time. It’s nothing new. This provides miscreants an opportunity to do as they please. Incidents like these on M.A. Jinnah Road have become a regular occurrence.
“These cinemas, the remaining ones I mean, are cultural landmark buildings. They have cultural and historical significance. I have no idea if they will ever be rebuilt. It is a serious concern. As for how much loss have we incurred, I think it can run into tens of millions of rupees,” said Mandviwalla who sounded very agitated.
Media person Javed Jabbar, who made a film in the 1970s, said: “It is a symptom, may be the cause, of the disorder of the psyche of some people, not all of them.
“Also, it is an absolutely unforgivable failure of governance. But at the same time it is a tribute to the power of creativity, the power of communication of those who bring the whole universe onto the screen. I think those who are associated with this art will be strengthened and energized by the incident and will not get intimidated by it,” he said.
The young video director and aspiring filmmaker, Sohail Javed, said: “I fail to understand how burning down a cinema in a city already deprived of life’s basic necessities will fix or change anything. It is sad and pointless.”
As a cinema goer, I was very shocked and anger over burning of cinemas. I would always remember the pleasant time I had spent there with my friends. There is no writ of govt in any part of country and they will not do nothing to restore these theater, I suggest the owner of these cinemas to appeal from people to raise funds for rebuilding of the theaters. I believed that educated and progressive people of Pakistan would defeat those behind these attacks.
we are destroying everything and by our own selves, very fast, not gradually, heading toward the stone age. Did this happen at advent of Islam or later.Is this country to be ruled by mobs. Mobs of religious perverts, mobs of bhattas and gang wars, mobs of land grabbers. I am afraid that Allah’s curse is in the offing. Its signs are evident.
Please take our country back from the Fanatics and this extremely corrupt government. People are looking for any reason to release their frustrations.
The people keep voting for the parties that are part of the government (federal and provincial). The people deserve what they get.
All Pakistani actors and musicians and singers should now go to India where they are appreciated and can also make some money.
Pakistan ka mathlab kya?
riots, khoon-kharaba, aur kya?
kisi ko maara, kisi ko jalaya !
The government should compensate and rebuild the torched cinemas and other private properties ransacked by idiots taught in madrassahs about how to harass and dictate their terms to the nation. The hooligans caught will be released soon on the pressure of the religious no I will call them irreligious parties as they are kind of mafias controlling Pakistan
Very Ominous situation!! Is Aurangzeb era reappearing? Does Pakistani History teach what happened after that? Beginning of the end.
As always people don’t blame the perpetrators of the crimes but put it on the government. How can a few people control the actions of millions – like a parent can control the actions of 20 kids with two who just run off.
The govt. need to jail the perpetrators and jail the leaders of the banned parties. Which won’t happen because they are afraid of the violence that will erupt.
biased reporting and the writer cannot take criticism. learn to be a real journalist and publish comments which doesn’t support your views.
Why they are burning Cinema houses in Pakistan for a movie taken in America??? – did this movie houses running show of that movie??
this is another unforgivable act by miscreants, like a few years ago same groups involved in 10th Moharram shia procession blast, and set ablaze many shops in Bolton Market & Light house market.
Where were the imported law enforcement agencies personals. There wont be any peace in Karachi until locals are hired in Police and rangers should be sent back to borders as they are busy in commercial activities. The government should also stop the influx of people from NWFP & Punjab as they bring with them tribal and feudal mindset and try to impose their views on peace loving citizens of Karachi.
Karachi is part of Pakistan and every Pakistani has full right to live and settle in Karachi. Please take your racist and hateful agenda somewhere else. It has no place in Khi.
true that we need locals in the police
You welcome people from other provinces to work as labour and build Karachi but you don’t give them right to work in government job, do think it is fair. People from Karachi should also go out and work in Punjab and NWFP. I am sure they will be welcome there.
Khyber Pass – you are correct. Every Pakistani should be allowed to relocate to Karachi, but then he/she should give up his/her domicile in KP/Punjab/Balochistan – and become a citizen of Karachi. Only then will it be possible for Karachi to receive the development funds it needs to serve the growing population. What do you think ? Are you game ?
Actually it’s not racist, if there’s peace on borders and rehabilitation of flood and earthquake and other disaster victims there’d be less burden on Karachi, Govt need to develop every part of the country equally. He is right, I wonder what were authorities doing? when the financial hub was set on fire?
A very sorry state of affairs for the country..
Govt is responsible for this anarchy. it utterly failed in its basic duty i.e. to protect the life and property of the people, FIR should be registered against Govt for all the losses i.e human & material. Also leaders of the fanatics parties should be put into bar who are constantly damaging image of Islam in the name of protecting it. These fanatics are increasing market value of those who are insulting our religion.
Government had no plan nor will to stop the destruction of private property, They were busy protecting VVIPS, they know if they pass any law regarding public demonstrations they’d have to abide by that law. Where do we go from here? protest was called by Govt, religious and political leadership and now there’s no one to take responsibility for the human and property loss.
Thanks to Jinnah for dividision of India…Good luck and sympathy for both Pakistan and Afghanistan….Wish from across the border
Division
Dont thank too much. They are 25 % already. Just wait for the same things to play out here too. And be prepared.
mr jinnah has not played any role. it was the britishers who had decided to devide india.
Why are you surprised at what’s happening? There is no need for any sympathy. Separatists and proponents of division are their role model. All fire has been intentionally separated from ugly water.
The government should pay for the damage to properties as they are fully responsible for what happened. I hope the media does not let them get away with their blunder.
Welcome to the failed State of Pakistan who citizen I unfortunately still am.. Not for long Inshallah.. Not for long..
No policy, no vision, no aim or goal. The rulers want to rule and they don’t care how, if that means pleasing the fanatical minority then so be it. The government’s sheep like behaviour and inability to tackle any issue has led to this point. Similar mistake was made when space was given to the fanatics in Swat, and we all know how messy that turned out.
Government when fails to provide economic and employment to bazillion of people it simply give roam to fanaticism as its the good thing to feed without any cost to incur.
The present coalition government has miserably failed to provide the basic necessities to the common people of Pakistan.
And who would you say really tried before the present government ? With what success ?