Net cafés do amazing business in Pakistan. In the 80s, the easiest way to keep your wayward son employed was to open up a PCO (Public Call Office) in the neighborhood. You rent a shop, install a phoneline, a desk and a chair. People come and pay you 10 rupees to make a phone call. Easy money.
Those PCOs were converted into internet access points (no beverages are served on premises) by late 90s. In 1998, a rough survey of Lahore produced an average on 10-12 cafés per neighborhoods. Now, that ratio is to one per street.
Surfing for information for yesterday’s post, I came across this editorial in Jang Daily from April 28th. It told a story of internet, sex and exploitation gone horribly wrong (as opposed to all the times it goes wonderfully right, i guess). I translate:
In a Rawalpindi market, two years ago, someone set up a Net CafÈ; he constructed small cabins, placed computers in them, put a screen door with locks on the inside, installed lights in the ceiling and hidden in the lights, installed cameras. After the grand opening, young men and women started to patronize the establishment. They came alone or as couples, went into the cabins and viewed “dirty” websites on the computers. The owners of the establishment recorded these activities and would later show the movies to the couples and blackmail them for dirty deeds. This carried on until around 25 couples were ensared. A CD was compiled and send to Dubai where it sold for 10 lakh (about $100,000). Copies were made and sold in Britain, US, France and Germany and finally, made their way back home. In the beginning, these CDs were sold for four or five thousand rupees in Lahore and Islamabad. A gang got hold of the CD and tracked down the 25 families of the couples. They delivered the CDs to those houses. This caused an instant firestrom. Three of the girls in the scandal committed suicide. One was killed by her father. Two were divorced . While the boys ran away from their houses. Some of the young men on the CD belonged to very prominent families of Rawalpindi. These houses fell prey to blankmailing from the gang.
One of the elders from these families came to me. His only child had killed herself. He was in extremely fragile condition. He told me the whole story and cried that these monsters have destroyed entire families. Please tell the government to take pity on us and stop the violence permeated in the guise of technology. The gentleman left me and I don’t know if he is still alive or not but his problem remains genuine. There are thousands of Net Cafés in this country. Most have cabins. Young boys and girls from colleges and universities go to these cafés, open “dirty” sites and embark on the path of sin and destruction where many blackmailers are sitting. If the Government pays serious attention, this can be resolved easily. There are thousands of software in the world that eliminate obscene websites. The Pakistan government should install these filters on all internet services, register all Net Cafés, issue license of operations, impound unlicensed sites, and ban the use of cameras in all such facilities. In the meantime, all cabins should be abolished. Proprieters should be told to prohibit morally corrupt sites and movies on the premises and teams of enforcers should tour and arrest non-compliant owners.
Someone else was telling me that some stores have installed cameras in their “try rooms”. Some export these films overseas and exploit the children. The government should also pass laws against cameras in changing rooms. Places where cameras are installed should notify the customers via a public sign board. I have seen many places in Europe, America and Canada where they are installed as traffic camers. In USA, it is against the law to record any image or movie without permission even voice recording. In America, even a president, Richard Nixon, lost his government when he secretly taped his opponents but there os no such laws in our country. People have put secret cameras and recorders everywhere and their phone calls even are taped and used later for blackmail. No one knows how many houses have been destroyed by this.
[i snip the rest]
The interesting thing here is that the author, in the case of Net Cafés, wants to regulate the internet itself but, in the case of changing rooms, is satisfied with laws against hidden cameras. Presumably, the same law against hidden recording should solve the Café crime as well as the changing room crime.
The divergence in his solution comes from an old-and-tried argument that television, cinema, western books (and now the internet) are mere conduits of sin and depravity for the youth of Pakistan. The corruption occurs by mere exposure. Hence, the lack of appropriate laws is not enough as the depravity will continue in the Café. They argue, that what needs to happen is a control over the flow of unchecked smut. In case of Pakistan, that means regulating the internet, in case of USA, it means going to the source.
I also want to state that the blackmailing industry hinted at in the editorial is, without a doubt, prevalent and pernicious in segments of the population. It is largely due to the fact that even a rumor can destroy the life of girl. Families have no choice but to comply with the blackmailers to prevent something like that from happening. The way to break that hold is to shift the blame from the victim to the oppressors. A girl who dates, or has an affair is not Evil Incarnate. She should NOT be killed or stoned. sigh.
P.S. While looking around for information on the Pakistani Net Café scene, I got this entry by a pakistani blogger also looking at the same issue – and more here.
update [May 24, 2004]:I am going to temporarily suspend comments on this entry as the discourse seems to be in a downward spiral of righteous religiosity and morally-sanctioned retribution. To be frank, I am quite disturbed by some of these comments and almost deleted them. However, I will let them stand to testify to the shamelessly premodern conceptions of an individual human still prevalent in Pakistani society.
update: comments are reopened but please keep moralizing to a minimum.
{ 168 comments… read them below or add one }
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Seen one of those net cafe videos, where to me the girl seems very reluctant to be engaged in such infamous activity. Anyway at the end she does get engaged and VERY WELL engaged. Sorry for the description. Here some questions arise:
1) What does she want to prove by acting reluctant? Is it that she is innocent and she could use her then-reluctancy afterwards as her mental comfort that the whole thing that happened was not in her hands?
2) Did these Cyber Cafe owners do an evil thing by making these videos?
Sexual urges are sort of injected in every human being and animal by our Almighty while He was creating us. But the ability to control them is what separates us from other animals. Getting involved in sexual activities before marriage is a great Sin and is called Zina, of what we all know. I do bother to speak up here just for ONE reason.
- This thing is distracting and completely ruining our young generation, who are now spending most of their time going after gals -
A study says guys haven’t changed at all since the last thousands of years, regarding these sexual matters, as they have always had more desire for sex. But at then times they were sex starved or would get married as soon as they hit puberty. As a result no such activities were done. But now they are apparently having better times since the Female generation have changed a lot. Their mentality, their stature, personality characters have changed. Maybe an influence of the media or what ever. Girls now give them more chances. They just provoke a guy’s sexual desire and compel the guy to ‘compel’ themselves into all these. Well there is not much to say. Both of them do have fault. But the thing is why not a single guy commited suicide on the release of those tapes but several girls did? – If she realises it’s a Sin why did she commit it at the first place? I think, it proves that they will do any evil deeds as long as other people are not aware of it. For a conclusion it can be said that They are doing nothing but destroying our youth. Distracting our youth. Drawing them away from there should-be point of focus. Our nation will be destroyed. Although the cyber cafe owners had evil intentions but at this point I would like to say that their evil deed could be used as a strong weapon against the young generation and their notorious activities. We need punishment. Not comments. Seeing all these today i wish we had all those yestercenturies punishment established in our nation- 100 slashes , or stoned to death. Because These are what CAN REALLY HELP US NOW!!
Most of the times girls are responsible more than boys. About committing suicide,they did bcoz they were unable to face others. Well leavin it. The actual solution is what islam told us. Just implement all the SO CRUEL PUNISHMENTS of islam n it all will b over. I bet u. But again another problem n that is inequality. Why to punish lower class people and no punishment for people who have power, status and many other same things. Humans are equal. This will happen. Already there lives are miserable n these punishments will make no difference.
SO the only solution that can create a big difference is someone from us has to get up, gather people around him, n punish the sinners no matter who is he or what his or her family is. There will be no gang rapes, no child abuse, no murders, no red lights. We can not leave things around us like this we have to think n we have to do something now.
the sex is basic need for human and all other creatures but there is a right path provided by our religion.a person who is on a right path will be honoured by his society members.in my opinion sorry to say as some of u may not agree wd d fact that the persons doing such activities should be kill scarcely along wd their fellows.all such activities are due to our implicit behaviour toward religion.goverment is responsible mainly for such problems.if HERE r rules laws and regulations according to ISLAM such scandals will be ended so rapidly as flour from a poor person,s home.good bye.
I really feel sorry about these families who are going through this tragedies. Honestly, I think there is a lack of
education in our society and system. First of all, every parents must inform their children about being recorded
in Netcafe. This will give awareness in children and adults what might be the consequences if cough on camera.
Also, it will at least force in youngster to think twice before doing an y inappropriate behavior.
Sexual desire is a natural act started at very early age, most of our TV, Dramas,movies and internet made it easier
and must thing which appeals every teens and youngester to do something out of families value. Regardless, how much
you protect your kids from being spoiled you would not be success unless you straighten yourself first. Look at
around you what are you giving to your children and what output you expect you will see crystal clear.
‘GOD DOES NOT PUT HARM TO YOU, BUT YOU DO YOURSELF’
Pakistani people tend to be the most aggresive in all, that might be in favor or harm if it is being used wrongly.
Please take your time and talk to your families on regular basis with enough time so they understand.
“Time to spend for others not for desire”
Cool post….wow @ comments…
I think this is just because of missuse of internet and opertunities, If we Fallow The Islam then we dont have any problem like this, Roshan Khayale(Boroad Mind) this is not broad mind i think this is sick mind.
If we are Real Muslim then we dont face any problem like this.
i want to give one suggastion mostly to galz……..taht they must caer of there father and brothers……..
It’s really a pity.
But what can a sex starved, jobless, poor, uneducated, denied, cornered nation with Punjabi’s do.
Ok boy and Girl i have not read all of you people,s comments about this incidents . but still i will say there are lots of people out there who are talking about this but not thinking about the reasons which has caused this .
now you got to think for a minute what was the reason caused this and how is this wrong how it could have been prevented and what are the mistakes people made in the socity and culture which lead these young men and women to this act
Now lots of people believe and say oh My God this against Islam Allah said punish these people who do this kind of things
But let me tell you why did this Happen
Allah says that punish these people who do this kind of thing but before all that
Allah said
you should get your kids merried at the age of 17 and 18
What is the reason of that brothers and sisters there is big reason of this because of what Allah mian told us to do this the reason
At the age of 17 and 18 a child has the desire to have Sex
boy wants a girl
and girl wants a boy
but we people have become so matiralistic
that we care about Dunyavii things and forgot about the great teachings of islam
now what do we want
when we are arrainging our sons wedding we want girl,s father to give 2500000 rupees Jahiaz
now that takes time some people can not afoard it and that takes more time and then what happens that girl get older and now she is 22
and she has a huge desire of having sex because that is a requiremant of life if you do not do it you are breaking a rule of islam
just like haveing sex with a man who is not the girls husband is bad not havning sex when you are supose to is bad also
now she has a desire
now her nafas is trying to make her think bad
same thing with the boy
for the boys it is even harder to control them selve
people want boys to make money so they can feed their wives
but like i said it takes time
and now during that process of making money for his future wife and kids he get older
now his nafs is trying to make him think bad also
and this is the time
when lots of bad things are created
lots of bad thoughts are born
this is the reason lots and lots of boys and girl masterbate
this is the reason lots of people watch blue (XXX) films
For some people this is enough to amuse them for some this is not
now when a boy and girl do not get merried until they are 25 yrs old and now they so much desparate to have sex and they like each other but can not get merried because of stupid man made rules
that is the time when Devil takes the control of their brains
and make then so some thing wrong like this
now we all know this
that
in islam it is not right to do any thing like this
but as i said
In Islam it is not right to stay un merried
after the age of 17 to 20
and the reason Allah told us to this
is the one what i just told you
Allah made this rule to keep us away from the bad things like
XXX movies
and prostitution
Zinaa
when you break one rule there is very very very great chance that the rules which are related and depending of the rule which u have broken will be broken also
we know this is wrong
people who did it knew that was wrong
but still it happened
i am sure lots of people said oh God this is against islam
this is that they should be killed
brothers and sisters
so can not solve this problem by killing any one
to solve a problem
you got to go to the roots of problem and find out what is causing that problem and cut the root
because if you will not cut the roots the tree of sins will grown again it will take some time but yeah it will grow agian and thats what we do not want to do
so what i want you people to do is
calm down dont be angry
and try to find the solution try to think that how can we avoid this to happen in future
yeah what i wanted to say and i forgot
i am not very smart man and do not have much knoledge i am only 26 years old and i have commited lot of sins my self
so if i have said some thing please forgive me
and if there is any girl ot guy wants to send me an e mail to let me know what does he or she thinks about what i said
you can send me an email
at
milli0n_d0llar_baby@yahoo.com
or
at
atom_bomb82@yahoo.com
thank you very much
Whatever was committed by those girls was obviously wrong but someone tried to find the owner of net café and killed him. He was the one who should have been tortured to his death and should had been made an example out. And his stories should have been discussed on this forum
i m here to ask only 1 thing?all the ppl who have seen that cd and start blaming the owner,guys and girls.r they doing the right thing? by insulting them while doing the same thing by themselves that they r watching these movies and cds crap.” think before u speak” secondly hwy every one is blaming those girls? guys r performing the equal parts no one talks abt them. just pray to ALLAH and try to protect urself
GREATEST. THREAD. EVER.
HUM SAB KO HAR WAQT TOBA TOBA KARNI CHAHIYE OR MERI APP SAB SE REQUEST HAI K AB COMMENTS KO CLOSE HONA CHAHIYE
You cant just lash a bunch of people for these things. The blackmailers are the ones to be punished, what two people do is their own business. I know its disgusting engaging in sexual acts in public but some of these girls apparentley ended up commiting suicide, they didnt deserve to die over this.
DEFINITELY WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION. THE FIRST THING IS TO CONTROL OUR CHILDREN. BASICALLY OUR MEDIA IS SUPPORTING WEST. N OUR YOUNGER GENERATION IS FALLOWING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. WE HAVE TO CHECK THEM AND TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS FOR THEM. I KNOW ITS A HARD TIME FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOST THEIR BELOVED ONCE. BUT STILL THEIR IS LAGGING IN OUR SELF SO FIRST WE HAVE TO CONTROL OUR CHILDREN. I M SO SO SO SORRY FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOST THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. MAY GOD HELP US TO HELP OTHERS. GOD BLESS N SAVE OUR PAKISTAN. N DESTROY ALL THOSE WHO TAKE PART N BLACK MAIL THE YOUNG BLOOD.
One day, I will write a book on this thread.
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