Pakistan in 1960 - Video from 1954; Page 4

[Durran3]

Its good to see our country in Black and White

!

Although very interesting its still kind of sad that even in 2010 many people use the same tools and travel means shown in this clip

 

[Beskar]

Threads have been merged. First video is already available here.

 

[Durran3]

I love how the FC guys are clean shaved and wearing shorts... I effin cant wear shorts to Garrison park any more... What a shame..

 

[Beskar]

I love how the FC guys are clean shaved and wearing shorts... I effin cant wear shorts to Garrison park any more... What a shame..

The most surreal thing is the FC fort itself. I was there recently and realized how awkward it looks now in the middle of modern Peshawar. The footage from 1960 shows how undeveloped Peshawar was back then but it still looked breathtaking!

 

[sparklingway]

I'm not going to indulge into the nostalgic debate here, not due to any opposition but rather due to lack of time on my part but I have to state that I've always found old videos on Pakistan to be orientalist. Let me explain.

I've seen nearly two dozen docus on Pakistan from the '50s and '60s, some very rare ones in private libraries of great people and there's always a narrative to them.

Early '50s will always be "poor Pakistani struggling with problems" narrative - note that problems should not be taken as the problems we have today. By late '50s it's still "poor Pakistani still backward". By '60s and solidified defense contracts with the US (and height of courtship) it's "look at Pakistan developing". It's not that these narratives are necessarily wrong but fact is the '50s docus never show any industries, not that there weren't any. The '60s docus on the other hand almost do not show countryside and agriculture as it does not fit the narrative.

Now I know some people here will come out with their Ayub-decade-of-development arguments, but there was no industrial magic going on in 1960 and my observation extends beyond these two short docus.

Anyways, here's another one to cheer up you folks:

This is more than just a video of Jacky in Pakistan. It's a sort of official travelogue, but you get to see some good stuff. A rather stiff Nawab of Kalabagh, Qissa Khawani and a smiling Ayub. She also meets Bashir Ahmed, the camel river, whom Lyndon B Johnson had befriended an year ago during his visit to Pakistan.

PS : An interesting observation always is to determine the percentage of folks with beard - not that I'm saying it's wrong somehow. Also, how anybody coming to Pakistan as a guest (official visit, celebrities, etc.) today, and the recent past, has to go all "culturally sensitive" with clothing (no short dresses, dupatta,etc) while no qualms in old days.

 

[FreekiN]

I always love your posts, Sparkling.

Just had to put that out there.

 

[Durran3]

I'm not going to indulge into the nostalgic debate here, not due to any opposition but rather due to lack of time on my part but I have to state that I've always found old videos on Pakistan to be orientalist. Let me explain.

I've seen nearly two dozen docus on Pakistan from the '50s and '60s, some very rare ones in private libraries of great people and there's always a narrative to them

.

Your absolutely correct in your assessment regarding the 'Orientalist Perspective' and Edward Said mentioned about this in his book 'Orientalism' extensively, i suggest you read that.

 

[sparklingway]

.

Your absolutely correct in your assessment regarding the 'Orientalist Perspective' and Edward Said mentioned about this in his book 'Orientalism' extensively, i suggest you read that.

Orientalism, many say is on the most essential read list of anyone interested in political science and sociology of global relations. Great book. Great man. It's a tragedy that one of his best friends and great academic-intellectual Eqbal Ahmed is unknown to most Pakistanis.

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

There are so many beautiful places in Pakistan that can literally become tourist heaven but unfortunately our people are not utilizing the potential.

I think that though Pakistan's people are very hospitable, they don't wish 'their lands' to be visited by 'someone who's not them'. encroaches on tribal honour I think.

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

Bikini girls on Pakistani beaches. I can see why it was considered the "Golden Era" of Pakistan.

Its the same today. You only need to come to Karachi and then know where to look.

 

[T-Faz]

Orientalism, many say is on the most essential read list of anyone interested in political science and sociology of global relations. Great book. Great man. It's a tragedy that one of his best friends and great academic-intellectual Eqbal Ahmed is unknown to most Pakistanis.

It is unfortunate indeed that Eqbal Ahmed is not known to most Pakistani's. I encourage everyone to hear his narration of 'Terrorism: Yours and Ours' on YouTube.

Coming back to topic, I posted a few articles from Time Magazine in Ayub Khans promotion thread. The western media had a lot of praise for Pakistan and there were predictions for a very positive outlook for our young nation.

Things went down a different and unexpected root but by looking at our past, we can surely decide on a better future.

P.s. The beaches of Karachi and Karachi in general looks better today, just no girls in bikini's around. There are but who's gonna go to French beach or Russian beach everyday, hoping to get lucky.

 

[Durran3]

God dam.. Zia ul Haq... destroyed more than two generations of Pakistan..watching this at 1:20 pisses me of more than anything

 

[Karachiite]

Wow girls in bikinis in Pakistan. Totally shocking. And everything was so clean back then. We were so open minded back then and progressive. I wonder how many centuries it will take to get rid of the curse Zia has left on Pakistan. Pakistan would be a different country if we were following Quaid e Azam's vision instead of Zia's or hypocrite Mullahs.