The startups had a field day following Airlift’s announcement of their massive valuation, but other things were in store as well with Miftah Ismail making tall promises about changes at Ismail Industries in exchange for votes given to the PML-N. We also discuss occupational hazards for reporters, the Pakistani state’s favourite expats, and just how central Whatsapp is to – well – everything in our lives. Ariba Shahid brings you all this and more in this week’s social media roundup.
For the chilli milli
I will ask them to make Chilli Milli more juicy. But please promise me to vote for PMLN in the next elections. https://t.co/T3OwKQjuxS
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) August 23, 2021
So that was all we needed to do? Get Miftah Ismail a seat in the parliament so that the chilli milli go back to being jawwwuicy and hopefully the number of cocomo increase? Well, Pakistanis can blame Karachi folks for not voting for him. However, we do not know if Ismail is using this as an incentive to get votes, or is extorting our favorite childhood goodies.
What is next? Will our political will be held hostage to the number of cocomos in a packet? Or will we be promised the return of Khati Meethi Candy, Candyland ki Fanty in exchange for voting for the PML-N. Given the seriousness of the issue, we suggest the Election Commission of Pakistan look into this. We also suggest that the PTI make a formal complaint to the Competition Commission of Pakistan and say the PML-N is using beloved products in the confectionery sector to mess with them in the electoral politics segment.
Good week for startups
Good News:
After $85 Million by Airlift, Bazaar has raised $30 Million, biggest amount in Series A funding.
Pakistani 🇵🇰 startups had raised $178 million in 5 years from 2015-20 while this year in just 8 months of 2021 they have raised close to $250 million.
Amazing !!
— Musa (@MusaNV18) August 24, 2021
It’s been a cool week for the Pakistani startup space. $85 million by Airlift and $30 million by Bazaar. Pakistan has managed to raise more in funding from this year alone than in 5 years. Which is great. It means Pakistan is now on the map in the startup world and is getting serious money and is being taken seriously. Good luck to all!
You know what to do
Something to do if you hate your workplace pic.twitter.com/uodMLNlix2
— Momin🪁🌳🚉🏙 (@ShaykShack) August 24, 2021
We’re not going to say much, but if it’s your last day at a workplace you hate, you know what to do. There are other more creative things you could do as well, but those are perhaps things we do not want to discuss right here. Particularly since our bosses do read this magazine too.
Job first
Don't try to look successful, actually, be successful.
— Faisal Khan (@babushka99) August 25, 2021
Kind of confused because aren’t we supposed to dress for the job we want, rather than the job we have. But yeah, optics can come later. More important to get things done than to play adult dress up and pretend.
Enough with the groceries
it’s funny how many grocery startups there are considering the industry has razor thin margins to begin with
— hk (@hassankhan) August 26, 2021
“We will disrupt Pakistan through a grocery startup!” Give it a rest guys. It’s been done to death. Think beyond groceries and deliveries. The world is your oyster. Maybe go out and find some industry where you don’t have to worry about razor thin margins and might become self-sufficient?
Occupational hazards
[[[at interview]]]
"What is your dream job?"
*visualizes being the Geo wala jeem to annoy cricket fans*
Me: HR Manager. pic.twitter.com/avtqyP77S0
— Lawyerman™ (@lawyerman_ktk) August 26, 2021
Mascots are meant to be annoying. Imagine getting paid to annoy people. I feel journalists manage to annoy plenty of people too, even though it isn’t our intention.
{Editor’s note: Being a nuisance is unfortunately an occupational hazard for reporters. You can’t get important comments out of most people without being a pest in some capacity. But let us let you in on something – reporters are equally a nuisance to the editorial staff and vice versa within their organizations. Both in terms of their writing and getting us in trouble along with them.}
Mama loves you, Expat!
The world is moving towards DeFi. We can't think beyond bank statements for opening of a mundane and archaic brokerage account. And the regulators could not care less one bit.
— Ammar Khan (@rogueonomist) August 27, 2021
If you’re a non-resident Pakistani you should know you’re the favorite child. You’re the one that is given the drumstick during every meal. You’re the favorite. Life is easier for you and it will be made easier.
Post pandemic world
The best of wearing a mask is that I can yawn freely in meetings
— Arhum (@arhuml92) August 25, 2021
If you’re unlucky enough to be dragged into a meeting, make sure you wear a mask. Not only is it the safe thing to do but also lets you express your boredom without offending anyone.
WhatsApp State
Does all office communication happen on WhatsApp in Pakistan? 😭
— Hania (@han3yy) August 26, 2021
Umm, just office communication? We hate to break it to you but the government runs on WhatsApp too. We just wish WhatsApp had an option that didn’t show you’re online because honestly that would be great!
