German weeks: It's [really] not that bad here as perceived, says Ingrid Muller
KARACHI: A rigid society, hatred for West and a country of extremists with no women rights are all related to Pakistan around the world, especially in Europe, but the overall situation is quite otherwise, noted German journalist Ingrid Muller related at a journalistic discussion on Monday.
Senior German journalist shares her thoughts and feelings about Pakistan.
Muller, senior editor at Berlin's Der Tagesspiegel (The Daily Mirror – a liberal German newspaper), German Consul General Dr Tilo Klinner and the director of Goethe-Institut Dr Manuel Negwer were present at the Karachi Press Club for a formal chat with the city's journalists as part of the "German Weeks in Karachi".
The events started off on September 20 and will continue until November 30.
"Very few people visit Pakistan because of the fear of terrorism," Muller said referring to the dearth of tourists and journalists visiting the country. The senior writer has visited numerous conflict-hit countries, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Congo, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Sudan, reporting on various issues – from culture to women.
"I found the people of Pakistan to be very different than their normal perception of extremism, Taliban, nuclear bombs and the violence of Karachi," shared Muller talking about the Pakistani society.
People in Europe think Pakistani women are denied their due rights but the perception is quite different against the reality. "In my country too, a woman had to ask her husband's permission for work about 40 years ago," she said.
"I am told that boys and girls go to court to get married of their freewill. [Maybe] it is not because of economic issues but they dislike arranged marriages," she continued while talking about women rights in Pakistan. She correlated this with more female doctors and architects than men. "Women are involved in other fields too."
One can see all outlets of KFC and McDonalds full of people all the time, she said referring to the perception of hatred against West in the Pakistani society. "[Are they having] lunch with enemies?" Muller asked. "People love to eat here and don't hate the West entirely."
Replying to another question on her experience of travelling to conflict-hit areas across the world, Muller said it was safe to travel to and in Pakistan.
Comparing Pakistan's economic position with Germany, she said that only 1.9 million people in a population of 180 million pay taxes in Pakistan while 40 million of about 80 million people in Germany pay taxes. "The state can't run its affairs without money," she said referring to the infrastructure and other facilities available for Pakistani people.
Earlier, German Consul General Dr Tilo Klinner said that Pakistan has a very distinguished culture and its interesting people make it a colourful country. The diplomat then introduced Ingrid Muller to the audience saying, "Muller will shed light on what is Pakistan's external perception in Europe, particularly in Germany."
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