One year “Axcuze me, aap bhi?” becomes a sensation in Pakistan whereas in the following year, a mere photograph of a worker at a chai stall captures the hearts of women across the country. So what are the top social media trends which took Pakistan by storm in in 2016?
In no particular order, let’s find out.
1) Momina Mustehsan
Momina became a super star after her debut on Coke Studio alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The 24 year old, along with Rahat, recreated Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Afreen Afreen’, which made people sit up and take notice. The crowd was in absolute awe over her singing (or lack thereof if social media is to be believed).
With social media fame comes notoriety as well. A number of people believed that her fame was short-lived or that she was ‘unworthy’ but each to his own.
To date, her cover of Afreen Afreen has over 2.5 million views on YouTube alone.
2) Rana Thakur
Thick mustache and black glasses are his trademarks. Who is he, you ask? Ah! The infamous Thakur, who made his mark in the history of Pakistan by arresting MQM party member Farooq Sattar following a speech by his party chief. It was reported that he arrested Farooq while Mr. Sattar’s press conference was on air. Some of the incidents were captured by national media and footage of it was released to various media channels which only increased Rana Thakur’s reputation.
The burly Thakur’s image became the talk of the town (and social media) for days to come.
3) Arshad Khan aka Chai Waala
He wakes up one day to realize that one DSLR photo is all it takes to become recognized worldwide.
Arshad became famous after Jiah, a professional photographer, randomly captured a photo of him pouring chai in a dhabba while she was out on one of her gigs. She then posted Arshad’s picture on her Facebook profile which went viral.
It took only a few days for him to become a sensation. Remarkably, he was also seen trending in London. Arshad is now under contract and working as a model. Social media changed his fortunes overnight.
4) Sheikh Rasheed
“Where are you Nawaz Sharif? Come and arrest me if you are ready!”, yells the Awaami Party leader while rebelling against the orders of the government to reach Committee Chowk after Friday prayers last week.
The political tension rose and it forced everyone, including the people in the opposition, to take drastic measures. Sheikh Rasheed had always been a favorable politician for his iconic cigar pose, his unique talking style and roasting of other politicians. This year, he’s become the politician with the most swag in Pakistan.
Follow this ProPakistani post to read the funniest tweets about the Sheikh’s getaway.
5) The Push Ups
At an age of 42 years and 47 days, Pakistan test team captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, scored a remarkable test ton against England. The achievement was made iconic by Misbah’s celebration which caught everyone’s attention. After an exhausting 154 ball cameo, he dropped to his hands and knees and did push ups. At the time everyone saw it as a gesture that he was still fitter than ever. He then stood up and saluted the men who trained him and his team at the army boot camp.
The pushups are still making news, with lawmakers questioning their ‘intent’ and some going ahead and doing it as a form of political protest.
6) The Surgical Strike that Never Happened
The tension between Pakistan and India boiled over the disputed Kashmir land. India’s cowardly attack on Kashmiris blinded thousands because of the use of pellet guns. Soon after, India claimed that they had conducted a surgical strike in the region, a development that turned out to be untrue.
The spokesperson for the Pakistani Army asked: “Where is the damage?”, referring to the lack of any evidence of surgical strikes. ISPR spokesman Asim Bajwa termed the surgical strike claim as an ‘illusion being deliberately generated by India to create false effects and a fabrication of the truth.’
The term, and India, fast became the butt of the joke with even a mission to kill that pesky mosquito being labelled as a ‘surgical strike.’
7) Afghan Border Scanner
Pak-Afghan border crossing post — traveller asked to put his backpack in scanner – puts himself also through it! pic.twitter.com/u00hPuVpAM
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 2, 2016
This footage went viral soon after its release due to its absurdity. An Afghan citizen was caught on camera at Pak-Afghan border. Although there is no audio in the clip, you can sense what is happening.
We will leave you to watch the video. It’s a hilarious and touching moment of the confusion that often results due to differing cultures and language barriers.
8) Nargis Fakhri’s Mobilink Ad
The inclusion of Nargis Fakhri’s image in Jang’s newspaper sparked an outrage on social media. Many, including journalists, used social media to condemn the ‘obscenity’ of the ad that simply shows Nargis Fakhri lying down with a phone in her hand while donning a red dress.
The all-red theme of the ad was due to the fact that it was a Jazz promotional ad. Some people also remarked at Mobilink’s PR pulling off incredible publicity.
If only it wasn’t for Ufone’s response (see below).
9) Ufone Response To the Nargis Fakhri Ad
Ufone have provided us with humor for years through their advertisement campaigns. Arguably, this was the most hilarious of all.
After the controversy ignited by Nargis Fakhri’s Jazz ad in Jang, Ufone took it upon themselves to exploit the situation and come up with something brilliant. In response, you can see Faisal Qureshi, Ufone brand ambassador and Pakistani comedian, all donned in Pakistani attire. The ad had him recreating Nargis Fakhri’s pose with an ironically ‘local’ twist.
Ufone’s PR department trolled the competition real good. And the Pakistani public thought so as well.
In no particular order, let’s find out.
1) Momina Mustehsan
Momina became a super star after her debut on Coke Studio alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The 24 year old, along with Rahat, recreated Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Afreen Afreen’, which made people sit up and take notice. The crowd was in absolute awe over her singing (or lack thereof if social media is to be believed).
With social media fame comes notoriety as well. A number of people believed that her fame was short-lived or that she was ‘unworthy’ but each to his own.
To date, her cover of Afreen Afreen has over 2.5 million views on YouTube alone.
2) Rana Thakur
Thick mustache and black glasses are his trademarks. Who is he, you ask? Ah! The infamous Thakur, who made his mark in the history of Pakistan by arresting MQM party member Farooq Sattar following a speech by his party chief. It was reported that he arrested Farooq while Mr. Sattar’s press conference was on air. Some of the incidents were captured by national media and footage of it was released to various media channels which only increased Rana Thakur’s reputation.
The burly Thakur’s image became the talk of the town (and social media) for days to come.
3) Arshad Khan aka Chai Waala
He wakes up one day to realize that one DSLR photo is all it takes to become recognized worldwide.
Arshad became famous after Jiah, a professional photographer, randomly captured a photo of him pouring chai in a dhabba while she was out on one of her gigs. She then posted Arshad’s picture on her Facebook profile which went viral.
It took only a few days for him to become a sensation. Remarkably, he was also seen trending in London. Arshad is now under contract and working as a model. Social media changed his fortunes overnight.
4) Sheikh Rasheed
“Where are you Nawaz Sharif? Come and arrest me if you are ready!”, yells the Awaami Party leader while rebelling against the orders of the government to reach Committee Chowk after Friday prayers last week.
The political tension rose and it forced everyone, including the people in the opposition, to take drastic measures. Sheikh Rasheed had always been a favorable politician for his iconic cigar pose, his unique talking style and roasting of other politicians. This year, he’s become the politician with the most swag in Pakistan.
Follow this ProPakistani post to read the funniest tweets about the Sheikh’s getaway.
5) The Push Ups
At an age of 42 years and 47 days, Pakistan test team captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, scored a remarkable test ton against England. The achievement was made iconic by Misbah’s celebration which caught everyone’s attention. After an exhausting 154 ball cameo, he dropped to his hands and knees and did push ups. At the time everyone saw it as a gesture that he was still fitter than ever. He then stood up and saluted the men who trained him and his team at the army boot camp.
The pushups are still making news, with lawmakers questioning their ‘intent’ and some going ahead and doing it as a form of political protest.
6) The Surgical Strike that Never Happened
The tension between Pakistan and India boiled over the disputed Kashmir land. India’s cowardly attack on Kashmiris blinded thousands because of the use of pellet guns. Soon after, India claimed that they had conducted a surgical strike in the region, a development that turned out to be untrue.
The spokesperson for the Pakistani Army asked: “Where is the damage?”, referring to the lack of any evidence of surgical strikes. ISPR spokesman Asim Bajwa termed the surgical strike claim as an ‘illusion being deliberately generated by India to create false effects and a fabrication of the truth.’
The term, and India, fast became the butt of the joke with even a mission to kill that pesky mosquito being labelled as a ‘surgical strike.’
7) Afghan Border Scanner
Pak-Afghan border crossing post — traveller asked to put his backpack in scanner – puts himself also through it! pic.twitter.com/u00hPuVpAM
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) September 2, 2016
This footage went viral soon after its release due to its absurdity. An Afghan citizen was caught on camera at Pak-Afghan border. Although there is no audio in the clip, you can sense what is happening.
We will leave you to watch the video. It’s a hilarious and touching moment of the confusion that often results due to differing cultures and language barriers.
8) Nargis Fakhri’s Mobilink Ad
The inclusion of Nargis Fakhri’s image in Jang’s newspaper sparked an outrage on social media. Many, including journalists, used social media to condemn the ‘obscenity’ of the ad that simply shows Nargis Fakhri lying down with a phone in her hand while donning a red dress.
The all-red theme of the ad was due to the fact that it was a Jazz promotional ad. Some people also remarked at Mobilink’s PR pulling off incredible publicity.
If only it wasn’t for Ufone’s response (see below).
9) Ufone Response To the Nargis Fakhri Ad
Ufone have provided us with humor for years through their advertisement campaigns. Arguably, this was the most hilarious of all.
After the controversy ignited by Nargis Fakhri’s Jazz ad in Jang, Ufone took it upon themselves to exploit the situation and come up with something brilliant. In response, you can see Faisal Qureshi, Ufone brand ambassador and Pakistani comedian, all donned in Pakistani attire. The ad had him recreating Nargis Fakhri’s pose with an ironically ‘local’ twist.
Ufone’s PR department trolled the competition real good. And the Pakistani public thought so as well.
That wh*re isn't somebody to be celebrated.
