Media Watchdog
Your choice: Top blog posts of 2012

Your choice: Top blog posts of 2012

From nudity and niqab to Maya Khan and water cars - a look at the defining blog posts of 2012.

Jahanzaib Haque December 29, 2012

The blog posts below were selected based on the number of visits to individual articles, representing what visitors to the Tribune Blogs considered vital reads for 2012.

Over 200,000 views

Social media is lying to you about Burma’s Muslim ‘cleansing’ – Faraz Ahmed

The post that got Tribune Blogs temporarily banned in India and single-handedly challenged an online propaganda campaign.

Over 100,000 views

Nudity, Niqab and the illusion of ‘free choice’ – Bina Shah

364 comments later, the niqab debate rages on.

Over 50,000 views

An open letter to Maya Khan – Mehreen Kasana

An online campaign, a real-world change - the internet emerges as the Pakistan's media watchdog.

Mathira’s wardrobe malfunction: Nudity or modernity? – Hani Taha

Where is Pakistan's culture headed? A “s*** happens” moment in perspective.

Over 30,000 views

Why porn is popular in Pakistan – Aneka Chohan

Pornography is a vile and loathsome form of material and one of Pakistan's great problems?

Trading sex on Zamzama – Hammad Sarfraz

"Liberal sensibilities rudely disturbed" - what to make of the world's oldest profession?

The Islamic university where girls were raped – Nadir el Edroos

"it seems quite acceptable that a male figure trading sex for favours is not only acceptable, but worthy of protection and a cover up."

Burma killings: Think before you point fingers – Shehlah Zahiruddin

Who do we blame? A touch of grey in a black and white world.

Because I’m a lesbian – Anonymous 2

"Being a lesbian in Pakistan is like committing a crime."

Maya Khan, apology not accepted – Jahanzaib Haque

I had hoped never to see Maya appear on a TV screen again - I was wrong.

December 21, 2012: The end of the world? – Ali Awais Amin

The end of the world that came...and went.

Offended by a veiled woman holding a bra? – Bina Shah

"Why would anyone find this picture offensive in the first place?"

The truth about Agha Waqar’s water car kit – Faraz Ahmed

Busted online, lauded in traditional media. Are you a believer?

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Read more by Jahanzaib here or follow him on Twitter @jhaque_

COMMENTS (14)

Zee | 11 years ago | Reply Lolz ! wao .. Read them all at period of time.. and yes they were really proficient.

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply @gp65: My views are not coloured just by national narratives and I chose to view the larger picture in which I say both are are at fault. I admit most of our woes are of our own making but to say that you'll are as pure as driven snow in all this, is simply naive. Appreciate your offer but I simply don't have the stamina for what you suggest. Thanks anyway and to be honest fell a bit flattered as well.

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sam | 11 years ago | Reply Only comon denominator is controversy and maybe sex. There is a lot in our society that needs expose and that is necessarily not related to forbidden fruit.

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Parvez: Very likely based on national narratives, the root causes we think apply - are different from the ones you think. Would like to discuss this further offline with you. The goal is not to reach unanimity which is perhaps not possible but a better understanding. If you think that is worthwhile exercise, you can write to me at cherishgp@gmail.com (ET this is not my normal pls. allow).

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply @gp65: Your reasoned reply was honest and as expected. The points you have spelt out are valid, all one can ask is to go back in time and find out the root causes. Then possibly you may take a more charitable view. I in no way wish to convey that I condone how / what is happening but I firmly believe that it takes two hands to clap........one hand can't start clapping by itself.

Lee | 11 years ago | Reply Umm -- Aren't we #1 in Googling terms like girls, sexy, and anything remotely related to the word "sex"? Sex sells around the globe, but at least others are not as hypocrite as we are! Sigh...

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Parvez,@Nobody: Good to know. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Can't speak for ALL Indians but speaking for myself, ceratinly don't intend to be nasty or mean. ALso I believer our race isn't that different so racism is not even relevant in the India/Pakistan situation. I konw I have been sarcastic several times and the things that bring out the sarcasm are: 1)When we read the lies about us that are widely believed (India is stealingour water, India is funding TTP) 2)The doouble standards (talking about Babri masjid which happened 20 years back while having selective amnesia about the number of churches, temples and Ahmadi worship places destroyed within the last 12 months, blaming Modi for Gujarat communal riots that happened over 10 years back and never again while letting Qaim Ali Shah off the hook for on going tit for tat target killings here more people are killed each year. 3) False equivalence e.g. 26/11 is same as Samjhauta Express when one was a cross border attack where there is n attempt to convict the main people involved whilethe other happened within the country and key planners are in jail. 4) The attitude towards India of what's mine is mine and what's yours should be shared that comes through in many of the OpEds One thing that I can assure is that there is no ill will and no joy or satisfaction when things go wrong for Pakistani people. There is however definitely no love lost towards your army leadership that continues to attack India through soldiers and also by using 'non-state actors' repeatedly.

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply @gp65: There was no sarcasm in the comment and as such certainly none intended. I genuinely like reading the comments by our Indian friends ( though they do become tedious at times ) as they are pretty revealing. @Nobody's point of view is one understood by most discerning readers but it is somewhat direct and strong.

Nobody | 11 years ago | Reply Hmm, sex (or anything in the same galaxy as sex) seems to be a popular topic I see, as is true in the world over....naturally.... must admit, this was a very entertaining year on ET. Can't say which one was my particular favorite though... @gp65 of course all comments and/or discussions from neighbors across the fence and the world over are welcome; however, the disdain and nastiness and sarcastic advice and plain pointless racist, bigoted and/or hateful comments don't make for an enjoyable or even logical discussion. I believe Parvez was referring to THOSE, (actually tbh I can't speak for him, but that's what I mean at least). Cheers.

gp65 | 11 years ago | Reply @Parvez: "but its the comments that are the icing on the cake especially the ones from our brothers ( and sisters, you can never be too careful ) from across the border" Hopefully your comment was not sarcastic. If one takes it at face value, I would like to appreciate including and welcomimg us Indians - includung women like me. Cheers.

S | 11 years ago | Reply not one of the blogs is well-written. All ofthem are written aboutcontroversial topics

Ayesha Pervez | 11 years ago | Reply Uber cool! Congratulations to the bloggers for this feat!

Omair Khalid | 11 years ago | Reply o.oo...the mindset of ppl is clearly visible by the stats !!

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply ................sooooooooooooo many, but its the comments that are the icing on the cake especially the ones from our brothers ( and sisters, you can never be too careful ) from across the border.

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Your choice: Top blog posts of 2012

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