ادھوری پرواز: مغرب کا ایجنڈا سیٹنگ اور پاکستانی قوم کا المیہ

Adhoori Parwaaz: Western Agenda-Setting and the Tragedy of the Pakistani Nation

Abstract

The concept of agenda-setting posits that media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception by prioritizing specific narratives and influencing the collective stance. This phenomenon has gained significant attention, particularly in the post-9/11 era, where it has been used as a tool to advance particular agendas in developed nations. Through broad and complex frameworks, media channels have steered public discourse and guided societal priorities.  In the 21st century, the agenda-setting theory has increasingly been applied to the Muslim world, affecting critical areas such as politics, economics, sociology, and cultural identity. This manipulation of media narratives has often led to adverse outcomes, a theme explored in Syed Hassnain Haider's novel, dedicated to the countless innocent lives lost in the so-called war on terror.

Haider's novel, Adhori Parwaaz, offers a profound critique of post-9/11 media strategies that have perpetuated misunderstandings and hostility, particularly towards Muslims residing in America. The novel sheds light on the fabricated narratives used to justify unjust treatment and vilification of this community. By dissecting these constructed conflicts, the author underscores how the media has contributed to the widening chasm of mistrust between the West and the Muslim world. The novel ultimately calls for the promotion of truth, peace, and human solidarity, while challenging the political forces that exploit hatred for their own interests.