International media hasn’t been forgiving when it comes to talking about Pakistan. The traditional narrative has focused, more often than not, on aspects of the country that have been a matter of much discomfort for the people of the country. While highlighting issues that need to be corrected is not something that shouldn’t be done, there is, however, a need to realize that the whole country cannot be painted with the same shade. There are after all, 50 shades of just gray.

An American publication decided to report about the burning of a Pakistani woman who refused a rishta

Mic., a relatively new yet pioneering online publication, known for their in-depth coverage of issues pertaining to younger audience who live in a globally connected world, reported about the incident that happened near Islamabad where a young woman was burned to death, allegedly by the person she rejected, while she was alone at her home and her family had gone to a wedding in a nearby village.

As expected the headline focused on how every single time a woman rejects a relationship in Pakistan she has to face dire consequences. While, the incident is indeed a horrifying reality, one that may be more common in this part of the world than others, the facts of the case do not point to any particular signs of patriarchal oppression the woman had to go through, with her family being fine with her and the perpetrators showing signs of being more of jealous rejects rather than oppressive male relatives.

The website’s stereotyping of Pakistan was noticed by their readers and a whole barrage of comments followed

@mic 1752ET Yes, too many men react despicably violently — and are opposed by a majority. Your declaration perpetuates a bigoted stereotype.

— Saleem Khan (@saleemkhan) June 3, 2016

This one guy in particular totally schooled the publication

This person knows that Pakistan isn’t the only place this happens

And this lady thinks it is more a problem with raising sons than anything else

This commenter agrees that parents need to check the values they are raising their sons with

However, we need to understand that such stories will keep on publishing if these incidents keep on happening

Many can argue that the West (and “libtards” like Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy) only prefer highlighting the bad aspects of Pakistan because it helps them get recognition, win awards and get the chance to speak at forums.

What everyone needs to recognize is that there is an opportunity to highlight such atrocities happening in Pakistan only because they are happening at such a large scale. Had there been no rape of Mukhtaran Mai as ordered by her local jirga, there would not have been such a large-scale international attention. Had there been no one looking to kill Malala Yousafzai, she would not have become an icon for female education all over the world (and she wouldn’t have won the Nobel Peace Prize, to much delight of many of her fellow countrymen, unfortunately).

Pakistan, if you don’t want anyone talking about the “bad things”, the simple solution is not to let those “bad things” happen. And to Mic., folks, you need to learn about diversity and how not everyone is the same as what you have been taught to believe. No wonder #BlackLivesMatter trends to this day.

Peace.

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