LAUGHTER has gone out of the lives of Pakistanis. We have become a nation where the citizens have for all practical purposes forgotten how to laugh, where the citizens are daily fed sob stories aplenty which keeps them sad and morose, and where the citizens have become so fed up with the spiraling prices, deteriorating law and order situation, and governmental apathy, that laughter is no more their standard.
The television channels in Pakistan have indoctrinated the viewers with sober and melodramatic soap operas that have so brainwashed them that seriousness is now a part of their personal demeanor. The over-emotional histrionics by most of our religious torchbearers have resulted in a situation where the congregation exits from the Mosque overwhelmingly feeling more frustrated and panicky rather than imbibing the peace and tranquillity offered by the inner sanctums of the Mosques. The educational institutions have become grottos where the teachers are stodgy and unqualified, where the owners thrive on their avarice, and where the students are trained to be nincompoops, dullards, and blockheads, with scant chances of doing anything worthwhile when they enter the practical world.
Take the political front in Pakistan where a dismal and harrowing mood is prevailing in the corridors of power. It looks like the assemblies have been turned into war zones with members arriving (if they do arrive) in the Chambers adorned in their battle fatigues, their fists clenched, their faces contorted, their teeth all set to devour their adversaries. Every now and then a situation develops where the omnipresent “lota” is up for grabs and where this “lota” is presented to the media trying to justify the change in his/her stance and struggling to keep up a straight face which, nevertheless, comes out as if the person is suffering from a severe case of constipation.
The political scenario is filled with insults, innuendoes, and insinuations, which are hurled at one another with impunity. Mudslinging and character assassination is the order of the day. There is continuous sniping at one another and beneath the belt blows are the norm. While the rest of the country has already read and heard on social media about the alleged corrupt shenanigans of so-and-so, the Party mouthpieces probably have kept their heads in the sand.
There was a time when in the diaper days of democracy, the parliamentarians were equipped with satirical retorts, funny wisecracks, and side-splitting quips. These remarks generally got good mileage and made the assembly sessions effective and lively. The atmosphere nowadays is more out of the twilight zone or as if the members have come to attend somebody’s Chehlum. Whenever there are functions where there is music or dance , and even where the national patriotic songs are played, one can see the guests of honor sitting stone-faced, uninterested, and assuming an aura of indifference. It seems they are either too shy or do not want to shatter the myth of their self-professed superiority. The only politician who displayed any signs of being capable to laugh and to make others laugh was the venerable spiritual guide from Pir-jo-goth, but he is no more in this world.
The tragedy befalling Pakistan’s lifeline, which is Karachi, is a major reason why humor has disappeared. The savagery due to the presence of criminals in the City have turned its loving and animated environment into a dolorous and mournful outlook. Gone are the days when the denizens moved freely and where there was always fun and gaiety. Public places were filled with crowds, enjoying whatever facilities were offered by the City Fathers. That is, until the guns became the proverbial Maula Baksh.
The country will take a long time to heal its wounds because the suffering continues. No one has the answer to this imbroglio. Meetings are held every few weeks to secure peace for the City. For many it is gangland war all over again. People in power give the usual bunkum about how things for the poor and needy will improve very soon, but at the same time most of them make sure that things for themselves improve pronto before they are shunted out, courtesy the unseen iron hand.
Therefore, why not bring laughter in these times anyway. The now defunct Reader’s Digest was known for its well-read “Laughter is the best medicine” column. It is said that a laugh a day keeps the blues away. Or a laugh a day keeps one away from the psychiatrist’s couch. Or laugh and the world laughs with you. So why can’t citizens be made to reduce their frustration, sorrow and sadness through a joke or two? In Pakistan, many take offence and ruthlessly pursue anyone who tries to lampoon them. These political pygmies cannot take a joke at any cost. In the USA, wags have been making jokes on George Washington, Donald Trump, and even on the sitting Man residing on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and no one minds. The favourite subjects of Will Rogers, the famous American humorist, were the Senators and Congressmen.
Religious personalities in Pakistan feel insulted when they are the butt of jokes. No one is really sure whether they are rooting for the angels or are promoting the cause of the Devil. They can assuredly bring some humor in their weekly sermons to the faithful and in the process strongly drive home their point of view.
Businessmen are generally the object of ridicule, disdain, and contempt. The standup comedians get away with making jokes about the Memon businessmen, trying to imitate to some extent the way they speak Urdu, as if those that speak Urdu have a monopoly on how it should be spoken. These businessmen bear the brunt in stride, cause a joke is a joke and nobody really gets hurt. But make a joke about a labor leader, a social worker, or a bureaucrat, and all hell breaks loose. They are ready to tear down the auditorium or march in protest to the television station. People get uptight over a funny comment or an ethnic-oriented joke or satire. Big deal! In USA, the Polish jokes are common, in England, the Irish are made fun of, while in India, the Sardarji is the favourite target.
In Pakistan, why should everyone behave as if they are sacrosanct? There is no need to have a holier-than-thou attitude. There is no need to get peeved over remarks made in jest or with a satirical punch. There is an imperative need to drown desolations in the lake of funnydom. There is absolutely no harm in making jokes on the hopelessness of loadshedding, water shortage, inept politicians, inefficient government officials, corrupt policemen, ethnic brothers and sisters, neighbours, family, or even jokes on one’s own person or community.
In this darkness of misery, let there be light of merriment. In these troubled times, let there be joy. In these past 77 years of living in a joy-less society, let the good times roll. Problems, predicaments, and difficulties may never go away or may seldom ebb. Try not to cry over them but solve them in a cheerful atmosphere and in a friendly environment, with a pleasant disposition. A joyous remark, at least once a day, to whoever one comes in contact with can work wonders. Let the sun shine bright in Pakistan!
—The writer is Ex-President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
