Lost in Space: Echoes of Silence in Pakistan’s Glamour Industry

The once-rising and thriving glamour industry of Pakistan, known for its high-end designer brands, growing garment industry, and entertainment industry, saw a radical change just a year ago. Pakistan a few years ago was in a different place from where it is today. It was during a time when the fashion industry was growing rapidly, with many rapid changes in fashion trends and new designs pushed out from industrial powerhouses in cities like Faisalabad, Karachi, Gujranwala, and, to some extent, Sialkot as well. Even with the COVID-19 outbreak, there was still hope within the country that the nation would bounce back and everything would return to normal business. This changed a year ago when a mixture of major political developments and the post-pandemic financial crisis changed everything in our country. The garment industry, which was once flourishing in the city of Faisalabad, is now on its knees; major brands are shifting their production elsewhere; and the recent economic crises have created a resource shortage as well. The political developments have led to our nation transforming itself into a police state similar to what we see in fictional dystopian films, novels, and TV shows.

We have to understand that the current developments in our nation have affected almost every industry in one way or another, plus the state’s extremist policies when it comes to media and public regulation recently indicate an uncertain future. Bloggers who were once active on social media platforms, especially Instagram, with thousands of followers and their creative way of approaching their audience are now banned due to their political allegiances and views. A recent example can be given of the current Israel-Palestine crisis. It is understandable that the country is on edge these days, especially in light of recent political developments that resulted in thousands of arrests by state law enforcement, including the arrest of a prominent figure in the glamour industry, Khadija Shah. Many of our social media stars and talents are now looking at alternative solutions to the problems they are facing within their home country, with many moving abroad. The major players operating in the glamour industry are now looking at alternative solutions to the crisis at hand rather than producing content for the public. Many of the skilled workers involved in the glamour industry are also moving out of state for better employment opportunities. Many fashion designers and garment factory owners are heading towards Bangladesh.

Once an industry known for its sensational image, entertainment, and controversies that even the devil would think twice about pulling it off, the red carpets have all gone silent. The actors, artists, bloggers, and other celebrities have all gone silent, much like they are headed towards some kind of deep space voyage cut off from the world. It is likely that the current developments around the globe, especially in our country, are putting them in a cautious state. We have to understand that every crisis has an end and then comes a new beginning. The present glamour industry, which is now silent, will eventually rise up in the near future once things settle down.