My name is Mehvi, I am from Pakistan. Please hear my story. I am not a journalist. I am not a writer. But I have a dream and I speak from my heart ...
For thirteen years, we humans of Pakistan and our country have been portrayed as a land of terrorists. But there is more to us than the AK-47s, you see on TV. My dream is for the world to know how beautiful my country is. I want people to see all of Pakistan, not just what mainstream media is telling you.
I pick up international newspapers, I watch social media, and I see talk about my beloved country, but that talk is only seen through one dirty lens. The lens that causes friends across oceans to hesitate when I ask them to come to visit me. โMehvi, how can I visit? Is it safe?โ They ask.
And I get it. The stereotypes are so entrenched. But I ask myself. โReally, do I belong to a country full of terrorists? โ Because thatโs all I seem to hear about. I want you to see I am not a terrorist. I want you to see that we are human, not to be labelled as a terrorist country.
Come, hear the sounds of the river, fishermen laughing and cool water running across the surface of the stones.
My Green Passport from Pakistan
When I travel out of Pakistan, Iโm treated with suspicion. Thatโs my experience. I line up with my husband at immigration to enter a foreign country where my relatives live. An officer calls out to us, his unkind face nodding for us to step out of the line.
โYou, come with me,โ he points and grunts. Hundreds of eyes follow us as we are led to a lounge where we are asked question after question after question.
For a moment, I see it was just myself and my husband pulled out of the line. But then we see another man, there. His head down, face full of stress. He too held the green passport from Pakistan. Heโs waiting to be questioned.
Itโs not the problem of being questioned. I understand security is important. Itโs just that we are the only ones, and we are the ones holding our green Pakistani passports. And this happens every time we travel. Every time. I suffer a sea of unsmiling faces staring as Iโm led away like a criminal. Children pointing, adults whispering. I want to say to them all, โWe are not terrorists. We are human too!โ
The Pakistan I Know & Love
I want to say, come and see the Pakistan I know.
The Pakistan I grew up in, where I played on the streets with my friends, where I sat with my family, and we ate Karahi together. Where relatives gather for special occasions and holiday seasons just like you.
I wish you could see how beautiful my country really is.
I wish you could come and see my heaven on earth.
Heaven on Earth
Youโll see a country filled with the best mountain ranges on the planet: The Pakistani Himalayas. These mountains are truly without rival anywhere in the world. Pakistan, for its mesmerizing natural beauty and warm hospitality, was named the best travel destination of 2018 by the British Backpacker Society. I want you to know that.
Come sit in a restaurant, on the edge of a pine-covered mountain on the Northern side of Naran. Youโll see a beautiful river flowing into Lake Sett. On a cold day, youโll see ice on the mountains.
On another day youโll hear the sounds of the river, fishermen laughing and the cool water running across the surface of the stones. Youโll feel the fresh breeze brush across your shoulders and youโll find your peace. Youโll feel like youโre in a fairy-tale.
Photo by my friend: Asif Raza | @asif_shimshalee_photography
Experience The Culture & Hospitality of the Pakistani People
Come experience our hospitality. See how we live, and how you are treated as an honoured guest. Pakistan will make you feel at home โ like you are visiting your best friendโs flat. Pakistanis are rich of heart. We will pamper you with a lot of hugs. Youโll taste a variety of delicious dishes. Perhaps you will love the Chicken Biryani most, as many of my friends do.
Come and experience our colourful culture. Pakistan is as diverse in culture as India is in religion (and culture of course). Starting from the southern Sindhi ancient culture, that takes you back hundreds of years to Mohenjo-daro times. Balochistani-Iranian culture; that too is as ancient as Arabian culture. And the most vibrant of all; the Punjabi culture.
There are people living in the mountain ranges of Karakoram and Gilgit. Their life is filled with colour and their own unique way of living. They are famous for their hospitality and true friendships.
This is the Pakistan I want you to know.
Photo by my friend: Asif Raza | @asif_shimshalee_photography
I want you to recognise me and the people of my country for who they really are. I want to introduce you to my peaceful, beautiful and hospitable country. Some people say my dream to show the world the real Pakistan is not possible.
But, I must try. I have a great task ahead of me โฆ
Love Mehvi
I know security and safety is the most important consideration when travelling. ln any developing country, there are areas to avoid for both locals and foreigners. So please, to find out more about where to travel, and the best places to see, do your research & connect with me here on Instagram
And please, share my story. Help me tell the world about the real Pakistan.
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Great going, good thinking
Thanks for sharing your story and your country. Although I may not visit Pakistan any time soon, maybe sometimes I will. Don’t give up on your dream sharing to people about the place you love ! @ knycx.journeying
Thank you so much for the appreciation
What a powerful post. Years ago I represented a family from Pakistan and they also spoke so lovingly about their home. Your post made me feel like I was there. Thank you. Iโve pinned and tweeted it to spread the word.
Thank you so much ๐
This is such an important and intelligent post. People – mostly in the USA, but also in Europe – think that their way of living is developed and right and that on other continents people still don’t know running water. I hear often surprised e.g. ignorant comments when I tell people about my travels. We shouldn’t get tired of teaching them again and again!
omg those mountains loook amazing!!!
๐
I have to admit that Pakistani people in Greece are not treated very well unfortunately. There are many stereotypes following your country that you are doing a great job trying to ruin them! Well done โบ I want anyway to visit Pakistan and I will keep your blog for that time!
You are most welcome to Pakistan๐and thank you so much for your love for my article .
You have open many people eyes. Wish more people read and inspired to visit. Pakistan is still offbeat place for all the traveler, itโs need to come in front to people. Thanks for shearing you story.
Beautiful piece of writing ๐โค๏ธ
Super proud!
Wow..!! Very well written. I have been following Pakistan for a while, it’s a beautiful country with warm people. Pakistan is my dream destination hope I will get Visa to fulfill my dream.
Nice… Every country is beautiful..and have plenty of explored unexplored destinations..the key is promotion.. Nice article.. Keep promoting Pakistan in tourism
๐ im just amazed how beautiful this country is geographically ~culturally ๐ Just know that everyone from around would love you ๐ the hate is not real its just an illusion. Keep helping all in discoverinh the real Pakistan
Mehvi has shown us how a country, contrary to general belief, is culturally so diverse and naturally so beautiful.That lense she wrote about needs to be cleaned and polished to see real people there, their feelings and aspirations as well. Lot needs to be done to change the perception about Pakistan from inside and out side also. Thank you, Dear we also need to change our views.
Beautifully written di… Thanks for sharing this about Pakistan <3. Waiting to read another beautiful article from you.
Thanks for Showing the other side, however would appreciate if you put more about the culture , places and food.
It will be more good to know.
Thanks,
Keep writing,
AJ
I will… If you want to know more about Pakistan you can contact me on my instagram …the link is given below ๐
Mehvi your story is really inspiring people will definitely change their perception about Pakistan when they read it you have portrayed the positive and beautiful image of this amazing country so well in your story and I’m sure many foreginers would be willing to visit Pakistan thank you so much for sharing it โค๏ธ
Beautifully article. Loved the way the writer has expressed her feelings by connecting with my empathy ๐
There is always the other side of the coin. Thank you for showing it to us.
Regardless who you are or think you are…..we all judge a book by its cover !
There is saying Kerstin “Never judge a book by its cover”
“Never judge a book by its cover”