Hamid Mir and freedom of speech

Last Saturday was definitely an eventful day for Pakistan.From dawn to dusk,T.V tickers kept red informing and misinforming the audience.

The very first news was Prime minister Nawaz Sharif visiting Kakool academy.The news was not that imperative generally but the tension between civil military relations made that event a newsy one.

Television anchors acted like investigative agents to note the facial expressions of both chief executive and chief of army staff. Though that event proved as a damage control and it was good to see PM and  COAS sharing smiles for better future.the day passed on with news regarding Ex.President Musharraf flying to Karachi for treatment.

But then around 6 PM,whole of the news stories and topics were toppled by a horrific news.It was regarding the attack on famous journalist cum anchor “Hamid Mir” of a leading channel GEO.

Everyone started voicing about the different aspects of this brutality.First of all what I feel is that live beeper of AMIR MEER (Brother of Hamid Mir) wasn’t that a bad idea.

I mean what do you expect from a man whose brother is fighting the battle of life on death bed.His emotions were justified at that moment and that outburst was somewhat legit.

The story begins from here now. Amir Meer comments were then taken up by GEO and they kept on peddling that “agenda driven transmission” (Which looked like so).

Another thing was the picture of DG ISI Zaheer Ul Islam in half screen shown to the whole universe.If you know something about human psyche and optics then you must keep one thing in mind and that’s “Images appeal more than texts”

It was definitely insane.Geo must have thought something editorially before indicting  someone “ONAIR”. ISI and Pak Army have sacrificed a lot for Pakistan.What do you think a Jawan in Siachen is there for perks or salary.That freezing cold can mince your entire physique.He is there for our safety.Geo could have hold horses before arriving at a decision.

Adding fuel to fire,Investigative journalist “Ansar Abbasi” demanded resignation from DG ISI. This was unfair.

This was all about you were listening to from every channel.There are many lessons to learn from this incident.

First and foremost is editorial judgement and sense of proportion.Geo kept on airing  those footages and images to malign national security institutions.That relentless bashing lead to chaos in Geo itself.

This is a lesson for whole of the media industry to appoint efficient director news and editorial board.

The other thing was that many senior journalists didn’t want Geo to be banned.This was truly remarkable from  opponents.Everyone admitted the fact that Jang group has sacrificed a lot in tough times and banning GEO will be dangerous for media itself.

The retaliation by Jang Group put Hamid Mir issue on back burner.This was a true loss.This incident could lead to security of journalist but on the flip side it looks that now media industry can face tough time.

Geo missed the boat to rectify threats to journalists.Another thing is that we should not distribute certificates to patriotism to anyone.When I saw social media and a few discussion forums,I was amazed to see people saying “Traitor”.

Everyone should have space.What Geo did was simply a blunder but freedom of speech must prevail.

And last but not the least GEO must admire other channels who named Hamid Mir in their news bulletins and gave full coverage to the issue.Same was not the case when Raza Rumi was attacked in Lahore.That was a major loss as his driver lost life in that tragedy. His journalistic career too vanished.

Now back door diplomacy should be an idea that Geo will definitely be looking upon.Stepping down for a while and to apologize is the sane idea for Geo to keep their audience intact.What if you have committed a mistake,Be brave to accept and apologize and as Lynn Johnston said

"An apology is the super glue of life.it can repair just about anything"

Democracy!!The Pakistani version

Thar Vs Rjukan

Pakistan !! Changed or Maintained

Surviving and thriving for a better future and promulgating the need for a fruitful change,the populace of the country has always been optimistic after any democratic or anti democratic manipulation ostensibly served to meet the demands of nation by bigwigs.

Everyday is not Sunday makes a true sense but what to say of the people not able to have a single Sunday of a fun filled type throughout 64 years.

From dictators to their allies which become democrats as the dust settles,no one has ever thought of the voters and supporters uttering loud and high for them during their “sincere” electoral campaigns.

The transformation of sincerity to the dark clouds of ground reality results in shattering of the dreams,one has in his mind.

Last 5 years of government were infested with “khappa-ism” ideology and mind boggling “reconciliation” that paved the way for relentless corruption with politicians hell bent for that.It looked like absconders ruling and fooling,the masses.

But with the advent of a third force self labeled as “Revolutionist”,we thought as if a competition will enable other contestants to perform better as monopoly has been perished.

11^th May appeared as a sun of change with PML N replacing PPPP in federal.Again Pakistani’s thought,now we would have a chance of witnessing dreams sneaking towards reality.I and we all know that overnight changes are in movies but symbolism has its own value.

Grabbing a tough conditional loan from IMF and implementing “their” policies then.Removing chairmans on touchstones built under necessities. From where to start and no where to terminate.

While reading the newspaper,two of the stories answered ever wondering question “ Has Pakistan Changed”.The answer was a big “NO” smiling and mocking.The news was regarding an eagle to be gifted  to Saudi prince visiting their friends infact their colony.An airplane refused to aboard the eagle and then that specie was shifted to Lahore via special plane.Do we still have a fragile economy.Osterity drive means all this.

Adding fuel to fire and moving one mile more,two police officials were suspended.Their crime was simple.PM was on his way in Lahore while he got stuck in traffic.Awaminess resulted in nothingness of officers.

I am sure after some days.i will read a news regarding PM,driving car by himself without any protocoal and meeting an old friend.He will soon intermingle in a gathering with people and we will call “What a pro people PM”

What happened to Zaka Ashraf,chairman PCB.He was toppled again and again in a manner disgracing from a distance.News of OGRA chairman removal is expected in coming days too.

Pakistani rupee has already devalued,Petrolium prices escalated,Gas tarrif increased.Electricity prices increased,CNG too following the trend,Law and order situation is pathetic,Unemployment at its peak and more and more but we are maintaining better personal relations on cost of public money.

I know removing police officials or Chairman PCB isn't a big deal but symbolism has its value.