Pakistani Media Crippled

Well written Moeed Pirzada,

Musharraf would be foolish to let this ban on Geo

last much longer. I hear that ARY is already back?

The media is always a part of a healthy democratic process.

With elections around the corner, things should loosen up.

As far as who wrote the script for this policy, nobody

is willing to claim the honor.

How free is the media in any country? The gatekeepers

of opinion decide that everywhere including in the U.S.A.

I guess that this is a tough time for Pakistan.

I tend to agree somewhat with Mohsin Hamid.

Musharraf has made some desperate moves.

I just hope that he does not believe that the Pakistani

media can be crippled!

Intellectually crippled Musharraf sahib -- has made not only the media crippled -- he would like to see the whole intelligentsia of Pakistan crippled and handicapped -- in order to feel comfortable with his own mediocrity in the company of such massive mediocres as that depressing slimy Shujaat fellow -- and that His-Masters-Voice, AG Qaiyum fellow.

It is a good insightful article.
The question is, if the media, CJ etc were trying to bring a revolution against the army rule without doing their home work or just trying to make money(Not the CJ but media). Like a good music which causes the outside realities to be forgotten, but when the music ends it is the same outside world.
GEO or Jang group although has built its empire with the help of establishment, off course should not be crippled. It needs to be more responsible. With the siren, timer, etc it was more of a drama. Particularly, the news and views looked like a party organ struggling against Army dictatorship rather than independent media.
Musharraf has brought lot of changes and development in Pakistani society without the help of established parties he created his own support with splinters from Muslim League Nawaz, Peoples Party, MQM and kept the ruling people in NWFP and Baluchistan happy.
So what is the problem. Media is independent. Economy is running. Suddenly the chief justice decides that no Musharraf should not be elected to third term in office.
Was he acting on his own behalf. Taking the Pakistan Army to task. Or was it part of bigger plan. Or to replace the current ruling people with a different set of people.
Did majority of people wanted change/ Or were unhappy or thought that non existent alternative would be much better.
The good thing which is pointed out is change in the air, that is the best thing. Last thing we need is anarchy.

krashid sahib -- where have you been all these years -- hope not in Tora Bora -- why do you keep asking questions like --"what is the problem?" -- you really don't know what is the problem here -- Musharraf and GEO are on the same level of moral equivalence -- democracy and dictatorship are two sides of the same coin is that what you have learnt in India -- or you are incapable of differentiatiing between a mule and an arabian -- both have four legs and both are ridden -- but one is sterile.

On Chowk wheel has already been discovered -- please don't start with alif, bay, tay....you seem to be very civil in your discourse -- but get a little updated......please.

I was in Tora Jora (break and make)
It looks like Chowk people have already few premises which have been reached into a conclusion.
Musharraf and GEO may or may not be on the same level of moral equivalence. But what is GEO is a money making venture. Or have they suddenly became revolutionary, without the backing of party. Likely a king maker. Break whoever they can and make whoever they can. Would you disagree with power of media. Even in countries where institutions are strong media has lot of influence. In country like us we have strong tradition of fighting against dictatorship, and media like Jang group unless they have done Ishnan in Ganges, have a tradition of building their empire and help in suppressing revolutionary newspaper and movements by acting as a mouthpiece of establishment agenda.
(and they will return to their base pretty soon don't worry).
Second thing is Pakistan is in the process of making (or breaking) to find its direction. Compared to India which inherited the whole system from British including Central Government.
Pakistan has to create a central Government from scratch with provincial Governments already in place mainly feudals and Sardars.
Moreover Pakistan has never been able to find its direction. On one side are Islamist, on other Communist (no more strong) and on the third liberal, there are many other trends. All of them believing in their ideology being correct and taking Pakistan in that direction.
Moreover 3 wars with India and breakup of Pakistan did not help people to realize the uselessness of Army. In fact it increased the dependence on Army.
So things on ground are not as rosy as in our minds. Nor are the premises as clearcut as like invention of wheel.

Welcome home Nawaz Sharif!

It took a while but a Government of National

Unity/Reconciliation is the need of the hour.

Good luck to all members of the Sharif family.

Time for Pakistanis to put the politics of

revenge behind them.

Ras