freedom of press in Pakistan

THE PRESS FREEDOM IN PAKISTAN
Let it there be no illusion in the minds of journalists, analysts and the democrats of Punjab and Karachi that Pakistani style democracy is the demand of small-deprived nations. Democracy? Yes, but with a big BUT.
Pakistan is an imbalance country where power of every kind and worth is limited to one federate. The rest are taken for granted or no more than colonies
It is not yet forgotten that Punjab punished a bigger nation in 1970, gave it a blood bath; though there was 1000 miles unfriendly India between the two. And was five times bigger numerically; the “crime” was the use of their ballot contrary to the wishes of Punjab. Baluchistan is being raped for the second third time since the days of Ayub.
So obviously our fear is understandable and carry logic. Numerically, putting all the three nations to gather, they are still no matches to Punjab.
On the top of numerical superiority they have on their back the power of military and civil bureaucracy, the agricultural and mechanized might. Our close proximity to their firepower is suicidal to challenge their supremacy.
Bengalese was the only nation out of five to vote for Pakistan. They were the people to vacate their seats in constituent assembly to accommodate Mr. Jinnah, Liaquat Ali and Ch. Khaliquz Zaman. But their sacrifices were forgotten when it came to the rights.
After the creation of Pakistan; our only exports were their jute and tea; the foreign currency earning from their resources were invested in Punjab and Karachi.
There was a big joke at that time in political circles that a Bengali came to see newly built Islam Abad and said innocently,” beautiful city “its roads smell like our jute.
When the dependence was no more needed. Millions were killed in cold blood and our armed forces left behind one million illegitimate children.
Army surrendered to Gen Aurora without firing a single bullet, when Indian army was entering the triangle of Dacca. One billion bullets (IMMUNITION) were given to India. If one bullet is one Rupee it was one billion in cash.
The total population of Baluchistan can be hardly 4-5 millions. The biggest Pukhtoons settlement is in Karachi.
In present state of geo-political set up whether it is military or civil law it will be Martial law by Punjab. Necessary arrangements must be made, backed by international guarantee, to alleviate the fears of small nations.
As I pointed out in my last article that instead of alleviating American concerns of our nuclear assets falling in rogue hands, Punjab is duty bound to alleviate the genuine concerns of smaller nations.
We honestly feel that the firepower with the state of Pakistan is in irresponsible hands as for as small nations are concerned. We have been the victims of this rogue force, several times in the past and Baluchistan is having it for the third time.
When American claim to be the leader of free democratic world and is responsible for global peace, showing their repeated concerns about Pakistan nuclear assets, they should also take in to consideration the smaller nations facing the Monster of military might.
Pakistan’s democracy is meaningless without declaring Pakistan a multi national state and every nation is the master of its own destiny. The future constitutions should be framed, with this idea in the back of mind. The so-called democracy in Pakistan is a power struggle between the elites of Punjab; we have been used as gunpowder.
I am afraid that we are being used once again, unless our nationalists’ forces close their ranks and make alliance with our natural allies of other nations.
The press is using its freedom for their ulterior motives. It is unfortunate that the smaller nations have no strong printing or electronic press of their own.
Every private channel is an electronic Madrassa of a particular political party, conveying their political philosophy. No one can prove that any political discussion on these private channels is federal in their composition.
The intellectuals of Punjab and Karachi are discussing the issues on national interests and particularly those that are vitally important for Pukhtoons and Baloch.
It is evident that the important and influential anchors not only giving more coverage to certain political parties but use political adjectives for them. The great beneficiaries are MQM and Muslim Leagues of all shades.
The central secretariat of MQM in London has become a sacred shrine; all private electronic media and even the government officials converge on it, to complete the pilgrimage. It is essential to go there for Tawafs.
We should not grumble more about their partisan attitude as the friends’ alike flock to gather. They share destiny with each other’s. The only objection is that they should not claim that their presentation is federal in Pakistani framework. It is unfair in true journalism.
This is the duty of our political leadership to give maximum attention, to give a voice to Pukhtoons and Baloch. It is painful that the outside world hardly knows about our problems.
Apart from political projection our cultural and historical projection is either ignored or twisted and distorted. ARY and GEO are masterminding this art.
So impalpably they are spreading the venoms that ordinary viewers are carried away by their journalistic mesmerism. Non-issues are made issues and issues are demeaned so badly that it looses its relevance.
To expect fair play from others is just like asking for artificial legs or crutches. Nothing can replace self-reliance. In Arabic they say nothing can scratch you better than your own nails.
The present freedom of press has damaged us more by ignoring the 62 years of long struggle of those were killed in the dark alloy of Pakistan chequered political history.
To most of them the struggle for democracy and social justice started at the end of Ayub regimen or started with Zia and Musharaf.
Like our politicians our journalists too, like to work in grey area for obvious reasons.
It was a strange co incidence that while I came to this point, PJ Mir came to discuss this topic with Nazir Naji, Nizami Sb, and Shami Sb. On ARY. Is it irresponsibility or over responsibility of the responsibility by the so-called journalists?
The politicians can go to any extent for their image making. They are illiterate but when journalists join this band of illiterates then it is more damaging and painful. They are supposed to be the history writers but are they?
By Dr. Khurshid Alam. Dated: 13th Nov. 2009 khurshidalam5@hotmail.com