The Mirror (Pakistani magazine)
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'The Mirror' was a popular Pakistani social magazine which ran from 1951 to 1972. It was published monthly, and its full name was the 'Mirror of the Month'. Its editor, founder and publisher was Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah (or, as she was known then, Zeb-un-Nissa Hamidullah).
History
Zeb-un-Nissa Hamidullah founded the 'Mirror' in October, 1951; after she left Dawn. Her mission statement was to "foster feelings of unity and amity throughout the country". It was Pakistan's first social pictorial, and soon achieved popularity in both wings of the state. It contained pictures and articles about society in Pakistan, and often also had advice columns. However, it soon grew to be more than just a social glossy, as Begum Hamidullah began writing what some have described as 'fearless editorials', which contained her by-line on the current economic and political problems. The editor worked hard for the magazine, doing everything from proof-reading to picture editing by herself.
1957 Ban
In November 1957, Begum Zeb-un-Nissa Hamidullah, the Mirror's editor, wrote a blistering and opinionated editorial in defence of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, whose ministry in East Pakistan had been abruptly forced to resign due to threats from Iskander Mirza. In retaliation, the central government imposed a six-month ban on the magazine and privately threatened its editor. Begum Hamidullah responded by taking the government to the Supreme Court and, with the help of eminent lawyer A.K Brohi, managed to win. The Mirror was awarded the costs of the petition, and it made journalistic history in Pakistan as a brave victory for the freedom of the press.
Controversy in the Sixties
In October 1962, Begum Hamidullah wrote an open letter to President Ayub Khan. Entitled 'Please Mr. President!", it expressed concern about the governement's treatment of student protests. The letter was published in the Mirror. It was an emotional statement, describing the feelings of the people of Pakistan, as they saw "the blood that stained the streets of Pakistan". She stated that, owing to his authoritarian style of rule, she was losing her faith in him and had placed his picture upside down. In the November edition of the Mirror that year, she published his reply; a breakdown of the statements in her letter, each being justified. He concluded by saying "I reqest to ascertain facts before publishing highly emotional editorials". In 1969, before he stepped down, she republished "Please Mr. President!", alongside a new editorial, "No, thank you, Sir", in which she said that the problems which she talked about in "Please, Mr. President!" were still very much there, and that "Pakistan will continue to erupt to erupt as long as you, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, remain its President." This editorial angered Ayub Khan, but ironically, he took her advice in the end, and abdicated in favour of General Yahya Khan.
Because of these events, the Mirror became highly controversial in the '60s. The tension between Begum Hamidullah and Ayub Khan escalated, resulting in the magazine being banned twice. A stormy period for the Mirror, this continued to highlight its sturggle for freedom of expression and democracy in the face of the government of Pakistan.
Closure
In 1971, Begum Hamidullah moved to Ireland with her husband, and the magazine folded the next year. It heralded the end of an era. As one Pakistani journalist put it, "The paper closed down...after twenty-one years of struggle against authoritarian trends in our government and bigotry and fanaticism in society...the closure of the paper was, thus, a big loss to Pakistani journalism."
Hamidullah later said that she was so devastated by the splitting of Pakistan, and Pakistan's attitude towards the independent country of Bangladesh that she just didn't have the heart to go on #redirect . Many other Pakistani women's magazines closed at this time as well, including She, run by Zuhra Karim, and Women's World, run by Mujib-un-nissa Akram.
Features
The Mirror contained many features which were repeated in nearly all the editions. Those were:
Speaking Seriously
This feature contained Begum Zeb-un-Nissa Hamidullah's controversial editorials, which brought much fame and controversy to the magazine.
Junior's Corner
Hosted by the mysterious and kind Apa Jan and containing letters and stories by children, this feature earned many fans in both East and West Pakistan, who joined a club called 'The Mirror League'.
Dulha-Dulhan
This featured consisted of two pages of pictures of newly-wed couples in both the wings of Pakistan.
The Mirror reflects the World
This feature contained pictures and articles about Pakistani dignitaries and diplomats around the globe.
Social Notes
The magazine's largest feature, this section was devoted to the social doings of Pakistani society. There were many different ingenious headings for featured cities thought up by Begum Hamidullah, such as 'Karachi Chronicle', 'Capital Calling', 'Culled from Quetta' and 'Dacca Doings'.
Criticism
Although popular, the Mirror was criticised by many people as being too frivolous. The intelligentsia said it was merely a social glossy, with no importance apart from the editorials. Despite this, it gained a large following in both east and West Pakistan. When asked about the criticism, and her reaction to it in 1997 interview, Begum Hamidullah said that the Mirror 'was just for light reading'.
See also
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