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    Ishrat Hyatt on Writing Pakistan

    Written by: Aiza Azam
    Posted on: May 14, 2014 |

    Mrs. Ishrat Hyatt

    Youlin sat down with Islamabad’s very own doyen of cultural coverage, the graceful, modest and beautifully eloquent Mrs. Ishrat Hyatt.  

    How did you first get into writing; had you planned this as a career? What was the very first piece you wrote for publication and how was it received?

    I was president of the International Women’s Club and used to come/go to Islamabad once a week for meetings. A colleague asked me to take her articles to The Muslim, a popular newspaper at that time. One day while exchanging views with the weekly magazine editor, Surosh Irfani, he complimented me on ‘speaking well’ and asked if I had ever thought of writing. I responded by saying I loved to write but hadn’t really thought about contributing to any paper/magazine. “Well, next time you come, bring me a piece and I will see whether you are any good or not,” he said. I was quite pleased and the next week I took a short write-up on, ‘The positive aspects of being a woman in Pakistan.’ (This was during General Zia’s era.) This piece was printed and I have not looked back since. I joined the paper as editor of the Women’s, Youth and Children’s pages but when Senator Mushahid Hussain became Editor, he pulled me out from my ‘cubby hole,’ as he called it, and made me part of the paper’s reporting team.

    Your articles are largely on high profile gatherings or cultural events in Islamabad, but you also write on issues of social concern. Which do you feel is your forte? Has there ever been a time when you have considered shifting gears to write on a different beat altogether? If so, what would you be interested in?

    I love music/dance and other aspects of culture, both indigenous and foreign, while issues of social concern fulfill my desire to ‘do my bit’ for society. These days I think writing on cultural affairs is my forte - I am invited by many organizers to attend their events because of my detailed pieces. Oftentimes, I avoid invitations to seminars and conferences on social issues because I feel less talk and more action is needed to solve them, but I do attend certain meetings on request by organizers that are known to me.  And no, I have never considered changing gears because I do not have the qualifications – I am not a trained journalist – but I would have been interested in looking after the City pages because I feel they are not given enough importance. Getting feedback, I know City events are the ones which are read by a majority of women - and some men - to get a feel of what is happening in the social circles!

    How do you feel women journalists are perceived in Pakistan? The general narrative is that they have made much headway in recent years, having received increasing amounts of acceptance, but do you feel this conforms to reality, with what you see? If you believe this is in fact the case, do you think it holds true for female journalists on a particular beat or belonging to a certain medium, or is this true across the board?

    I think female journalists still have a long way to go in print media – poor remuneration; harassment in most cases when they work in administrative positions and not enough respect as ‘equals.’  Those in the electronic media appear to be better off, especially if they are, to put it mildly, ‘presentable.’ At times they appear to have been taken on for the way they look, with competence or knowledge seemingly taking a backseat – lots of make-up and a loud voice do not an anchor make!  There are very few who are good at what they do.    

    Ishrat Hyatt on Writing Pakistan

    (l-r) Mrs. Sun Weidong, H.E. Ambassador Sun Weidong of China, Senator Mushahid Hussain and Mrs. Ishrat Hyatt at a reception held by the Pakistan-China Institute

    What has your experience been like over the years, writing for the paper?

    Sometimes frustrating or irritating and in some rare cases provoking anger but on the whole it has been good. I am proud that despite not being trained I have managed to make a name for myself, although it’s probably only in the sister cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi! I feel satisfaction in the thought that I was the first person who began a page of social events  titled, ‘Collage’ which has given birth to the many social magazines in the bazaar these days. I also feel good about the fact that many organizers call or invite me first ‘because I write so well’ before asking another media person.     

    What kind of stories would you like to see being covered, that you feel are neglected in print and visual media?

    I would like to see more stories about anyone - either from the privileged class or the underprivileged - who is genuinely doing good work and stories about men and women who visit Pakistan and fall in love with the country and its people. Also more positive stories about Pakistan and public service messages, especially in visual media.

    Do you feel there is enough freedom of creative expression allowed in print media?

    No, not always. There are some subjects we are not allowed to express an opinion on in the City pages although other writers get their work on the same issue/person printed on the main pages. I used to write a column called ‘People are talking about’ based on news items but many times it was chopped, so I stopped writing it. I am thinking of starting again because a number of readers told me they enjoyed the manner in which it was written!

    Do you feel the print media has a youth bias, or are there equal opportunities for individuals of any age?

    There is some bias but if young people are really dedicated and determined to succeed I’m sure nothing can stop them from being recognized. I just feel that the pay packets are not encouraging and that drives people to be ‘second jobbers’ at a newspaper. Since young people will accept less pay just to get a job, I feel they are exploited and have to do a lot of the hard work. Those who are paid ‘by piece’ aren’t much better off.

    If there is one thing you could change about how stories are covered in print and visual media, what would it be?

    That the reporting is not sensational. I feel too many gory details are shown on television and the repetition of certain items is quite ridiculous. As ‘breaking news’ it is repeated twenty times by excited newscasters as if the viewers have not understood what was said the first time!

    Are you content with being a regular columnist for the paper or would you consider moving to an Editorial position?

    I am content where I am and even earlier I never aspired to be in an editorial position as I knew I was not qualified for the job.

    What is your take on cultural activities in and around Islamabad; do you feel they run the gamut in terms of variety and interest or do they feel repetitive and lacking in imagination?

    I think a good variety of cultural events take place but they are restricted to certain audiences, which is reflective of the situation we are in because of the security issue. The Australians recently showcased aboriginal music and dance at the embassy and it would have been great if more Pakistanis had witnessed their performance – they would have found it interesting, not only because it was so different but because the original name of Alan was not ‘Harris’ but ‘Khan’ and his ancestors were among the cameleers from this part of the world who went to Australia in the 1800’s! 

    What are some of your other interests?

    I was a sporting person - riding, squash, badminton - when in my teens but that went for a six after I got married! I paint (for myself only!) I love to read and read many books such as War and Peace and other classics when I was in my teens and later. I love animals and have a whole lot of them, keeping me busy! I like to drive around ‘discovering’ unfamiliar places and most of all I love taking foreigners to places they would not go to otherwise, like the inner city bazaars etc: They are thrilled to see the ‘real’ side of the country and that makes me happy.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021