Thousands sign up as ambassadors for the ‘real Pakistan’
Thousands sign up as ambassadors for the ‘real Pakistan’
New online initiative and ad campaign asks people to make a promise to the nation
Azme Alishan, the nation’s newest and fastest growing social movement, has launched a new online pledge calling on Pakistanis everywhere to sign up as ambassadors for the ‘real Pakistan’ in a bid to counter some of the negative perceptions of the country at home and abroad.
The pledge, hosted on the campaign’s website www.azmealishan.com, has already been signed by 10,000 people in its first few days, each of whom have added their own personal ‘azm’ to say what they personally will do to shape a better future for the country. Azms range from grand ideas to small everyday actions that will help to change the nation street by street and mohalla by mohalla.
Tabassum, for example, writes that she wants to develop Pakistan into an IT hub, while Arslan says simply that “if we are more tolerant towards each other, there is no way we cannot be united as one nation”.
The full pledge reads: “Today I pledge to be an ambassador for the real Pakistan, a country of peace, tolerance and opportunity for all. I believe these are the values on which this country was founded, and I pledge to do all I can to uphold and promote the true spirit of Pakistan, to show the world what that spirit really is, wherever I may be”.
The online initiative will be supported by street level events where people will be invited to sign-up to the campaign in person. It’s also featured in a new nationwide advertising campaign in which individual Pakistanis are shown overcoming their doubts to come together and build a better future for the nation. The TV ad will be aired on multiple TV channels, supported by radio and online banner ads.
Taher A Khan, founder and patron of the Azme Alishan movement, said:
“Azme Alishan is a movement of patriotic Pakistanis who believe that our nation’s glass is half full not half empty, and this pledge is a simple way for all of them to reclaim the true spirit of the nation for all those who believe in a Pakistan of peace, tolerance and opportunity for all”.
Since its launch in March 2010, Azme Alishan has become one of the largest social movements in the country, using a unique mix of TV broadcasts and on-the-ground events to reach out to people and get them involved in the campaign. Its current TV show, Behtar Pakistan, airs every Saturday at 10.00pm on News One.
“All of us at Azme Alishan reject the negative way Pakistan is viewed by so many at home and abroad”, Khan says. “We’re on a mission to transform that view, and in so doing, change our country for the better. As the TV ad campaign says ‘Our future is in our hands for we the people ARE Pakistan’, so let’s do something about it” Mr Khan concluded.
Find out more about the campaign at www.azmealishan.com or www.facebook.com/azmealishan.
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