Pakistan is an extremely political country, which is why National Elections can be regarded as the most important event to take place every five years. This time is no different and while the entire country is caught up in campaigning for favourite political parties and candidates, even artistes in the entertainment industry have jumped on the bandwagon to support people and parties of their choice.
GOVOTE
It’s both refreshing and encouraging to see stars and popular artistes take a stand for parties and candidates they believe in. Now go vote!
Pakistan is an extremely political country, which is why National Elections can be regarded as the most important event to take place every five years. This time is no different and while the entire country is caught up in campaigning for favourite political parties and candidates, even artistes in the entertainment industry have jumped on the bandwagon to support people and parties of their choice. Everyone is on the ball; restaurants have been offering free food and discounts to voters (you have to show your thumb to avail the offer), singers have been releasing election-specific songs that aim to shame the country’s corrupt leadership and even several fashion designers have come up with limited edition clothing lines to support their favoured candidates.
You may be sick and tired of watching paid political content that has been overwhelming TV channels for the past one month (the merit of these ads is another story altogether) but it’s both encouraging and refreshing to see popular artists lend their voice to songs that lift national moral and/or comment on the current scenario. Ali Gul Pir’s ‘Paris’ hit the spot when it spoofed politicians who claimed they’d turn Pakistani cities into international landmarks. The ultimate message was to go out and vote. Jasim Haider and the Pindi Boys then released ‘Hun Bas’, meaning ‘Now Enough,’ targeting Pakistan’s corrupt leadership on behalf of the youth of the country.
Then there were artistes who lent their support to parties and candidates of their choice. Farhan Saeed lent his support to Imran Khan by singing the party’s official anthem, ‘Ab Sirf Imran Khan’. He also, by the way, tweeted his disapproval of all his fraternity friends who weren’t around to vote because they were traveling. It seemed that he was targeting all artistes who had flown out for the Hum Awards, scheduled to take place in Toronto on July 27.
“All the people from my fraternity & otherwise travelling abroad at such a crucial time is so heart-breaking . Please let’s not take our country’s future for granted. #Elections2018 #PakistanElections,” he tweeted.
The Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf has been one of the most ‘star studded’ party as several other artistes continued to speak out in its support.
“Extremely happy & proud that celebrities like Kubra Khan, Haroon Shahid, Mawra, Urwa, Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, Abbas Jaffery & Feroze Khan are taking sides politically for the benefit of their country, a trend which was discouraged among actors. (Apologies if i have missed anyone),” Hamza Ali Abbasi tweeted on Monday.
The runner-up in popularity, one feels, would be independent candidate Jibran Nasir, who got most of Karachi’s stars on his side. A numbers of artistes came together for his party anthem, ‘Hum Mein Se Aik’, the video of which featured Rachel Viccaji, Mansha Pasha, Sarmad Khoosat, Adnan Malik, Mira Sethi, Sheema Kirmani and Anoushey Ashraf amongst others.
Taking the campaigning further and shifting it to branding and clothing, fashion label The Pink Tree Company stocked and promoted a line of tunics in support of Independent Candidate, Jibran Nasir.
Speaking of style, one has to admit that the most prominent support came for Maryam Nawaz when fashion designer Hina Parvez Butt took out a capsule collection of tunics when the deposed PM’s daughter was arrested and sent to jail with him. And of course, PTI had an entire range called ‘Insaaf Merchandize,’ available online.
Today, on Election Day, restaurants and cafes have jumped onboard and will be offering free coffees, drinks and interesting deals to voters. All you have to do is show your thumb to get a free coffee at Espresso, which you should have with a free cookie from Esquires Coffee, in Karachi. Several small joints are offering loaded fries to voters while bigger cafes are offering discounts. ‘Go vote, come eat,’ seems to be the idea!
So no matter who wins, it’s our responsibility to step out today and play our part in the democratic process. Go Vote!
