It is absolutely incorrect to claim that Pakistan’s media is under the control of an imperialist power. The truth is, if you believe the narrative that media in Pakistan is forced into submission, you’re missing a key point: the media is not oppressed—it is complicit. Pakistani media is not the victim in this scenario but rather an active participant in a global agenda.
A few years ago, “Russia Today” reported that the U.S. had injected $50 million into Pakistani TV channels. The question is: What was this money really used for? Was it to promote religious values or Asian culture? No, it was used to push agendas like homosexuality and other controversial topics, things that do not align with traditional Pakistani values. This is proof that the media is not being manipulated or controlled by any external power—it is simply acting in its own interests, free to promote whatever narrative it chooses.
1. The Hypocrisy of Pakistani Liberals
Pakistani liberals often present themselves as champions of freedom and progress. But their actions tell a very different story. They may claim to support liberal values, but they lack the foundational respect for basic human dignity that their Western counterparts uphold. In the West, even with ideological differences, there is still an understanding that all people, regardless of their views, deserve to be treated as human beings.
Pakistani liberals, on the other hand, do not extend this same respect. They want liberalism in name, but only in a way that serves their own interests. They do not care about the welfare of the poor or marginalized in society; in fact, they see them as expendable, as objects to be controlled rather than fellow human beings to be respected.
2. The Disrespectful Attitude of ‘Desi Liberals’
Let’s take the example of our sisters and daughters who work as air hostesses. They support their families with hard work and dedication. May Allah make their lives easier. But what’s shocking is the way some so-called “liberals” treat them. When these air hostesses are traveling abroad, especially in Western countries, these desi liberals behave in a completely servile manner. However, the moment they return to Pakistan, their attitude changes entirely—they act as though they are the masters.
This behavior reveals a deep-seated hypocrisy. Desi liberals don’t want equality; they need a class they can dominate. They do not view the workers as fellow humans but as inferiors to be suppressed. They believe in a system where there is no respect for basic human rights, where the worker is seen as nothing more than a tool. And this is the same class of people who pretend to champion liberal values in Pakistan.
3. The Desire to Preserve the System of Oppression
Pakistani liberals claim to fight for women’s rights and social justice, but they are part of the very political system that perpetuates the inequalities they decry. Take, for example, the oppression faced by women in Sindh or Balochistan. They will speak loudly about these injustices, yet they are the same individuals who are embedded within the political parties strengthening the oppressive system. These are the people who benefit from a system that keeps the poor and marginalized under control.
When Pakistani liberals talk about rights and freedoms, they do so selectively. They push for freedoms that serve their own interests but never truly advocate for the rights of the broader population—especially the poor, the workers, or anyone who doesn’t fit into their circle. They don’t want real liberalism, because if real liberalism were to take hold, everyone—especially the marginalized—would gain rights and freedoms.
Pakistani liberals fear that a truly liberal system would mean that the poor would demand their due rights, that workers would demand justice, and that the oppressed would no longer tolerate their status. This is why they are committed to maintaining the existing system, even if it means continuing to exploit the very people they claim to represent.
4. The Political Paradox
It is ironic that Pakistani liberals who claim to fight for human rights are actually working against those very rights in practice. They criticize the oppression in Sindh, the mistreatment of women, and the lack of opportunities in rural areas, but when push comes to shove, they are the ones who support the political structure that keeps these issues alive. They are the ones benefiting from a system that perpetuates these very problems.
They are not interested in real change. They are interested in keeping the system intact, one where they continue to enjoy their privileges while others remain oppressed. This is the true face of Pakistani liberalism—the same liberals who claim to fight for equality, yet undermine it every day in their actions.
5. Conclusion: The Media and the Liberal Agenda
It is time to recognize the true nature of Pakistani media and its role in shaping public opinion. The media is not controlled by an external oppressor but is fully complicit in spreading the narratives that benefit certain elite groups. Similarly, Pakistani liberals are not interested in genuine liberalism—they are interested in maintaining a system that benefits them while keeping the marginalized in their place.
The media and the so-called liberal elite are two sides of the same coin. They are working together to promote an agenda that does not serve the people of Pakistan but rather serves the interests of a few. We must be aware of this and challenge the false narratives being pushed through both the media and the political system. Real change will only come when we reject the falsehoods and demand a system that truly serves everyone, not just the privileged few.