MAINTAINING SANITY WITH MYSTAPAKI
Crafting A Unique Voice In A Delusional Digital Era
By Waqar Hussain & Malaika Zehra
By Waqar Hussain & Malaika Zehra
“People are scared in Pakistan; you don’t know what the red lines are in Pakistan. Major content creators messaged me and told me not to do this. They don’t even share it due to fear.”
In recent times, digital media have skyrocketed in Pakistan. With fresh faces appearing on the scene periodically, everyone has managed to express themselves, but few people have taken the red pill, spoken up about delicate topics, and expressed a desire for discussion—something that is not always the case.
Although Bilal was raised in a typical Karachiite household and was born into a working-class family, his exceptional academic performance ultimately paved the way for his career as a doctor. Long before Mystapaki happened, he was studying for the USMLE while working in the emergency room at Ziauddin Hospital.
Reflecting on his journey, he finds content creation more fulfilling, both creatively and financially, compared to the life of an American doctor. He has a unique style of storytelling and chooses subjects that seem different from one another; moreover, he takes a more impromptu approach to content development and does not adhere to a content calendar or other conventional rules.
“If I feel passionate about something, I will put it out; if not, then I won’t upload it. Many upload irrelevant content, but I don’t want to upload substandard work unless it’s paid.”
(No pun intended) As we talked further, Bilal shed light on some harsh realities that he has learned as a content creator.
“Content creators are not your friends. 1. Value your privacy. 2. Don’t look for friends in this place.”
Speaking about his work and the role of digital media in Pakistan and abroad, he stressed the critical portrayal it offers in Pakistan. He noted that when people misuse it, even well-known issues like the Hazara Genocide can become novel to them.
According to him, Pakistan lacks intellectual development because its people aren’t exposed to new ideas to grow, think, or discuss. Discussing the importance of digital media, he used the war in Palestine as an example of how social media shapes narratives and portrays the true image of situations.
“The more big content creators you see the less they will talk about the issue. They will never talk about what is happening with the minorities. They are scared of their brand deals and followers because they think if they gave something new to the people then they will leave”
He claims that Pakistan lacks intellectual development because people here aren’t given anything new to grow, think, or speak about. During our conversation about the significance of digital media, he cited the war in Palestine as an example of how social media shapes narratives and accurately portrays reality.
He criticized content makers for often avoiding substantive issues, attributing this reluctance to fear of losing followers and brand endorsements—though he personally isn’t concerned about such consequences.
Bilal Hassan has abstained from collaborating with any boycotted products since the boycott began, despite the challenges it presents for him. He recalled advice from a colleague that resonated deeply:
“Bilal, the respect you’ve earned over the years can be lost in seconds for a little money. If your work is good, opportunities will continue to come your way, boycott or not.”
He also discussed the negative impacts of the boycott, noting the difficulties in working with local brands and acknowledging those who have no alternative but to collaborate with them.
“There’s a lack of professionalism. The best client I’ve worked with is Coca-Cola. We often categorize things as good or bad without considering the gray areas in between.”
In addition to discussing delicate subjects, Bilal enjoys exploring new places and taking regular trips. He recognized that there are many things that Pakistan can embrace from these countries after comparing them to them while on his travels.
“They include everyone in religion. We have created disparities based on class and gender. In Pakistan, religion is a performance. Religion is personal. It is meant to be personal.”
However, he started to discuss how crucial it is for Pakistan to have a metropolis like Karachi given all of the country’s challenges. He went on to highlight how Karachi welcomes everyone. Regardless of their creed, caste, or culture and provides people with identity and a voice. He remarked,
“You come to Karachi to be somebody. When a person has nothing, they’ll always come to Karachi.”
“Don’t look for shortcuts, there are easy ways to get fame. Do good work, work hard, and make money. Plus, always choose quality over quantity in everything.”
