For the past couple of years, the major cities of Pakistan, have been hosting recreational activities for friends and families to enjoy. In order to distract the masses from negativity and depressing scenarios in a country struck with the plague of terrorism, the people themselves teamed up with renowned companies and organizations to come up with much healthier activities.
Events like the Lahore and the Karachi Eat coupled with the Coke Food Fest have been the highlights of such events that are held regularly in or around the months of February and March every year. Having said that, much controversy has arisen concerning equality and discipline.In all of these events, only families are allowed to enter. The problem isn’t really this. The problem arises when the definition of family is misinterpreted like it has been for the past three or so years. In these events, one can only enter the premises if they are accompanied by a girl. The question being raised by the commoners is that since when does the presence of a girl qualify as being with a family? For all we know, the guy and the girl could be on a date with each other. Similarly, the authorities say that if a boy is accompanied by an elderly, that too qualifies as a family.
Yes, the security and the sanctity of the events is very important but why can’t a group of boys, wanting to have a genuinely good time, hang out with each other? There have been many cases where individuals who have traveled from so far just for the event have missed out because of the fact that they were male or did not find a girl or an elderly to accompany them to the event which is very unfair to say the least!
Many people have tried and come up with solutions but I feel the most rational ones have been given by a couple of local vloggers who have time and again addressed this issue. Irfan Junejo and Ali Naim Butt have come up with a couple of alternatives that can actually help the cause. They say that a couple of measures can be taken. The first one is a bit extreme and might not be accepted by a few but it is a measure nonetheless.
They feel that in order to avoid any misconduct, a separation can be built for both the girls and the boys. Another more rational solution they gave was that the events should be stretched over three days where the three days can be divided. The first day can be for the family, the second for girls only and the third for a boys’ night out.
Whatever the case maybe, the organizers should look further into the matter, so that everyone can have an amazing experience and have a genuinely good time.
