Will Pakistani Journalists Ever Learn, National Interest?

Posted by The Editor on January 28th, 2008

Posted in: Article, Current Affairs, Events, Media, News, Role of Media, Strategic, The President

In a room full of international audience where international journalists where trying to undermine Pakistan’s interest and its capacities (being misinformed?), A Pakistani Journalist asked the most illogical and in efficient question he could ask bearing the responsibility of being the only Pakistani Journalist present on the occasion.

He connected the run away of Rashid Rauf a militant suspect of British Nationality from Rawalpindi police, with Pakistan Army and Intelligence agencies. In Ziaudin’s own (Listen here) words this question was already answered by President in Pakistan.

In some opinions, The President made him an example so that when ever any body asks what is National interest, he could refer to.

Ziaudin claims in an interview to BBCurdu that he has asked more tougher and difficult questions from President and President has never replied in such way and this answer was not anticipated at all. While giving this interview he claims that connecting Rawalpindi police with Pakistan Army and Intelligence and safe guard of Pakistan ’s nuclear assets is logical. Failing again to recognize what a 40 years experienced Pakistani journalists is suppose to do when foreign media is trying to undermine Pakistani Interest.

While understanding the intention of this gentleman expressed in the same interview to BBCurdu, it could be recommended that another question might have done the job, e.g. How Pakistani Police managed to Capture more than 684 (approx) international wanted terrorist. Out of these almost 16 are found connected with Benazir Bhutto assassination.

President on another occasion, in a lighter tone, talks about the journalist (Listen here).

Keeping National Interest First!

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Teeth Maestro Said in January 28th, 2008 @9:36 pm

Sadly I have little support for your argument. Lets not defend a maniac ruler who eyes every strong argument as a threat to the sovereignty of the nation. This is what happened to the Supreme Court, the same happened to the media - they were just asking thougher questions - asking him question of his unfettered 8 year rule.

Please do not mistake me, I too uphold the image of my country very dear BUT sadly in the past few months I feel its time to stop pushing our problems under the carpet for the lame excuse of ‘image of Pakistan’ we are living in a web of lies and when the tough questions start being asked - TV Channels go off air and people start to get arrested or disappeared

I suggest you re-address your argument - speak the truth - not be a damage control body for General (RETIRED) Pervaiz Musharraf.

Live up to your name - of ‘Pakistan First’ - don’t join the lobby that says ‘Musharraf First’ - Somehow even when Musharraf himself says - Sab say Bephay Pakistan - I think he knows its the oldest joke in the book.

In ll honesty - and shoving the truth under the carpet NEVER helps - if you cant face the truth (tough questions) then please move on. The world is a nasty place and living in a glass house will only hurt the occupant.

A Pakistani Said in January 28th, 2008 @11:12 pm

With due Teeth Maestro…….Well its not question of not facing the truth its all about OPINION…….You have your and we have ours……..Its not necessary that the TRUTH u consider is TRUTH to everyone………..truth is what can be seen………U need to start the comparison……….If still you cant differentiate then its your choice…….I will never ask you to move on because its good you can stick to your opinion

Editor Said in January 29th, 2008 @12:03 am

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Keeping National Interest First!

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Teeth Maestro Said in January 29th, 2008 @1:21 am

Pakistani bhai -

I think you misunderstood that TRUTH statement - it was NOT meant at YOU but Mushy - he used the same media to his advantage when they are all praise for him - but the moment the media questioned him - he starts blaming them for all of Pakistan’s woes and problems

prime example here - I have a point of you and you have the right to yours - Journalists are Pakistanis and they too have the right to ask question so that they can investigate the truth. Try asking this question in Pakistan you would barely last the following day - its true - you might be pulled into Anti-terrorsim charges. Like many who were arrested after Nov 3rd.

Mush has ruled the country for a good nine years its taken this long for the mess to surface and damn its a big mess. I assure you it hurts him as well but sadly he enjoyed the 8 years hoping it may never surface. The question the journo asked was of Rashid Rauf - who disappeared practically two days after the UK govt requested to extradite him - GEEZ - do you know that he was found innocnet in the court of law.
In December 2006 the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi found no evidence that he had been involved in terrorist activities, and his charges were downgraded to forgery and possession of explosives. He now accounts for another one of those missing persons in Pakistan - is that justice in any way - I ask this without any bias for or against musharraf.

It is these missing persons issue that was the start of all the judicial mess in Pakistan. and the nose dive of Musharraf’s image in Pakistan - Many now openly say Mush needs to go - let alone a few like you still hanging on to the glimmer of hope offered by the stand up comedian - where he humored the Hilton crowd in London

I beg leave and hope to engage in a full dialog when you finally choose to come out of hiding. Till then I think its pertinent to refrain from talking to anonymous tom-dick ‘n harry’s

PS - editor - thank you for the explanation - but seems like I did not ask the question ‘here’ , glad you found it worthwhile to issue a disclaimer of your anonymity - WOW I worry how hazardous it is in your line of work ‘pro-govt’ propaganda that you have to remain anonymous - while the rest of the Anti-Mush lobby is standing up. ironic ain’t it.

Peace out

d0ct0r Said in February 2nd, 2008 @2:15 am

“In Ziaudin’s own (Listen here) words this question was already answered by President in Pakistan.”

either you don’t understand Urdu or you deliberately added that line your self .. just listen to that audio conversation again.. Mr Ziaudin never said that Mush had already answered that question.. he simply said that in past too i had asked tough questions from him and at times he accepted his inefficiencies and at times completely ignored the question…

and its not for the dictator to choose which journalist should ask what question.. this was not a state controlled PTV’s weekly question time “awan-e-sadar” , it was an international event and journalists were at liberty to ask any question the deemed appropriate … also he had some inferiority complex when he said that only one pakistani was also present in the conference(obviously he didn’t wanted any pakistani to be present) he easily deceives and dupes international journalists by saying that “you don’t understand the environment in pakistan and i am doing the right thing” , that was the reason he disappointedly said “AIK pakistani baitha hoa tha!”

Ahmed Qurasi Said in February 2nd, 2008 @8:52 am

Ahmed,
When would you ever learn that an open society willing to debate can go forward. Anything else is going to be just a problem. The general like all dictators is not accountable to any one and therefore he can do whatever he wants. I personally knew Mr Zia ud din. He is a mild mannerd gentleman and conceren about the well being of pakistan. HIs question was simple. How can we control the Nukes when we cannot control a small terrorist?

National Interest Said in February 6th, 2008 @5:04 am

Teeth Maestro,
Your website is the most biased and anti-musharraf I have seen. How can you ask someone else to remain neutral when your site deletes any entry in favor of Musharraf? I myself posted and they were deleted.

You should be more honest and accept who you favor? The lawyers are the most corrupt fraternity classified by Transparency International, alongwith Police and Parliament. Cases are prolonged for years just to earn money and the poor public waits in anguish. 25,000 cases of poor suffered during this Political rallies of ex-CJP (PCO judge of 2002).

50 TV channels were allowed under Musharraf. Abiding by rules should be the democratic way of theses channels. These channels have become the platform to promote popoganda against PAK’s National Interest. Are these channels allowed to operate freely in Iraq and Aghanistan? Are they allowed to talk about the profits Dick Cheney’s HAlliburton made in Iraq? Do they publish the dead bodies of US soldiers in Afghanistan? Go and read how Media is manipulated in USA and UK. How the Media in USA muzzles itself on National Interest topics.

Missing persons? Why didn;t your Supreme Court listen to the parents whose sons were killed in extra Judicial killings in Karachi in 1992-1996? Why not ask the police how many they generally kill in their routine investigations? Why just target the Secret Agencies of PAK specifically? To make a clown of them in front of the whole world?

When these extremists go against the Official State Policy of the country and against the Law of Land, why are they not stopped by their parents then? Do they ask the State when they cross into Kashmir and Afghanistan to join Jihad, without passports? If they act illegally and with a plan to act against the Nation’s sovereignity…they deserve what they got!

M.B Said in February 6th, 2008 @5:10 am

Ahmad,
How do the USA control their Nukes though they failed to catch Osama and Mullah Omar? If someone can strike them on Pentagon, White House and Twin Towers…. why not Nukes? Why didn’t Ziauddin ask the Americans this question, instead of trying to act smart and degrade his own Country. His question meant indirectly, “You guys in Pakistan are irresponsible, you should hand over the nukes custody to UN”

abe_n2000 Said in July 18th, 2008 @5:27 am

Pakistani journalists still have a long way to go. Take the case of a TV channel parroting the IRI Index/Suvey of Pakistan, presenting two of the “findings” as news, namely, percentage of people who want Musharraf out and Inftikhar in.

Here is what Source Watch says about the organizers of the “Survey”:

“Loosely affiliated with the Republican Party, the International Republican Insitute (IRI) works closely with the the National Endowment for Democracy and United States foreign policy instruments, including the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, …”

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=International_Republican_Institute

In United States, I don’t think any one trusts the Republicans any more. They’ve cheated repeatedly, broken all campaign promises, busted the national budget, endulged in immoral acts in contrast to their campaign promise of bringing back “honor” after Clinton. The Administration’s own credibility is at rock bottom and subject to daily riddicule by comedians or hand wringing by intellectuals. And that coterie’s “survey” is what this channel reports as news. Shame on them. Free speech is fine and journalistic freedom is desireable, but air ways are public property and not to be used for foreign propoganda!

At a time of border skirmishes and conspirators trying to pull a ‘71, I’d urge the journalists to wake up, and be more responsible. Actually, this parroting of this propaganda even in normal times is a cheap shot, shody news work, cutting corners, and sensalizing news.