TV Channels Promote Yellow Journalism

Posted by Belharvi

                          

Yellow journalism which accelerated in the1890s in the west is described as the employment of tactics by newspapers such as sensationalism, exaggeration, distortion of facts etc. to attract readers in order to increase circulation in era of competition. With the advent of many television channels in the modern age, the era ended shortly after the turn of the century, as the world gradually decreased from the competition in sensationalism.

When such unethical practice continued by many TV channels and newspapers, consensus developed among responsible journalists and media owners around the world that it is against the moral codes of journalism. Hence, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) launched an Ethical Journalism Initiative in 2008. 

But, it is regrettable that techniques of yellow journalism are still being applied in some less developed countries, especially in Pakistan, without taking cognizance of its negative effects on the people. In case of Pakistan, spawning scores of new TV channels and associated burgeoning business interests led to coin unique methods of generating market competition so as to attract viewership and control financial shares. As advertisements and commercials dominated the viewers’ prime time, the contents of TV broadcasts have also skewed, while tone and tenor of media reports have got blended with sensationalism. 

In these terms, while presenting little or no legitimate well-researched news items, our TV channels, exploit, distort and exaggerate the news to create sensations and attract viewers in order to become more popular with the sole aim to advance their financial interests. Based upon opinion-masquerading as objective fact, our media anchors mislead and excite public opinion. They do not indicate what the people need, but show what the people want, thus have stunning impact of psychological shock.

Ignoring the moral codes of journalism, media reporters, analysts and anchors have adopted negative techniques and unscrupulous practices in their coverage because they have developed the habit of challenging the prestige of sensitive institutions of the state such as judiciary, army, ISI and law-enforcing agencies. While following the rude techniques of yellow journalism, they raise any issue or development and initiate controversial debate among the political commentators who themselves intend to gain eminence. Media anchors and experts who manipulate the concerned issue also conceal the truth and ground realities, particularly in wake of the war against terrorism—ignoring the multiple crises which Pakistan is facing at this crucial hour.

Besides, use of unethical songs, loaded conversations and erotic communications or airing foreign commercials especially those from India directly influences the moral fiber of our society. Resultantly, the moral fiber, ethical standards, public esteem and social order of the country are directly damaged. 

Notably, certain TV anchors and channels get over-assertive in their reporting against prestigious state organs only to improve their ratings, while others resort to sensationalism using slanderous and irresponsible expressions.While, the system of ratings to evaluate the performance and ranking of TV channels by using subjective viewership—scoring procedures has brought cut throat competition among the TV channels. The aim is to attract maximum clutter of commercials around popular programmes of lucky channels. This enabled the channels to rapidly grow so as to collect their revenues.

In this respect, the rating schemes employ “The People Meter System” to measure the viewers’ responses for having viewed a number of channels as indicated by the meter. It is an automated system of electronic devices, which records what is being watched on the television.

For the purpose, various meters are installed at the residences of selected people in selected cities like Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and few others. “The People Meter System” is absolutely faulty as it does not represent the population of viewers for which it reports. The concerned channels, however, earn billions of rupees despite using incorrect samples and unscientific techniques of rating.

In fact, “The People Meter System” does not reflect opinion of the entire population of related- TV viewers. Therefore, the rating results are biased and do not show the true picture. In this context, the rating system has only created an environment of furious competition among the TV channels, while anchors make strenuous efforts to improve the ratings of their channel programmes by disregarding the principle of objective reporting and thus, overlook the moral codes of journalism.

Moreover, some anchors and channels also employ unethical methods of bribing the viewers by suggesting them to keep on pressing the meter installed at their residences to get favorable results. Similarly, they target prestigious institutions and highly regarded individuals just to improve their ratings—falling below the ethical levels of respect and self-esteemed organs of state and the renowned persons. No doubt, mistakes have been committed by everyone in the past, and could unintentionally be done in the present. But TV channels and their commentators exploit the same instead of emphasizing solution of the concerned crisis.

As a matter of fact, the tools employed by rating system are neither credible nor valid; hence, the entire exercise appears to be confounded, illegal and unethical. It needs to be reviewed by the authorities concerned.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority must take notice of the issue in detail and lay down the procedure to measure the viewers’ response pertaining to the ratings of a particular TV channel or programme. In this regard, experts of social scientists must be engaged to make the ratings scientifically valid and reliable. 

Nonetheless, our media must follow the real principles of journalism by educating and guiding the people towards right direction through credible and true information. They should avoid developing ‘stereotypes’ among the people by displaying unbiased news and comments.

Now, the right hour has come to pull the country out of the multi-faceted crises. In this connection, being the fourth pillar of the state, electronic media can play positive role.  Our TV channels and the concerned experts must seek the solution of problems, while promoting unity among various state institutions and the general masses instead of promoting yellow journalism.

(By Sajjad Shaukat)                                          

The Other side of Balochistan Unrest

By Sajjad Shaukat

While terror-acts still keep on going in Balochistan, but without grasping reality, some politicians, human rights activists, and media persons of Pakistan have been propagating against Pak Army, Frontier Constabulary (FC), country’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI). It seems ridiculous when some of them allegedly say that security agencies are behind terrorist activities in Balochistan.

Notably, India, US and Israel have been internationalizing the Balochistan issue in accordance with their covert agenda. In this respect, in connivance with the Baloch separatist leaders who have taken refuge in Switzerland, Sweden, US and London, these external elements use media, various NGOs and human rights organisations for false propaganda against Pak Army, FC and ISI in relation to extrajudicial killings, mutilated bodies and the missing persons. It is regrettable that while speaking in the tone of their foreign masters, some internal entities of our country also implicate Pak army, FC and intelligence agencies, and they totally ignore their services in Balochistan.

Unfortunately, Balochistan had been hit in the past by some phenomenally devastating calamities like floods of 1950, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2011 and 2012, drought of 2000 and cyclone of 2007. The real saviors of people of Balochistan were Armed Forces and FC which quickly responded to the call of duty by extending helping hand to fellow countrymen, conducted exceptionally dangerous rescue missions and provided relief to the victims. Similarly, on September 24, 2013, Awaran district of Balochistan was hit by an earthquake. Pakistan Army and FC promptly acted as asked for by the government. Although FC personnel located in the area were equally struck by the earthquake, yet they were the first ones to respond to the situation. And the Army units hastily moved from Khuzdar and Karachi.

Despondently, the relief efforts have been politicized and militarized to the disadvantage of affected populace. The foreign-backed militants and their foreign collaborators opposed relief activities by Army and FC in Balochistan. The separatist elements repeatedly attacked the security forces during relief work. Media projection of Army relief activities remained at low ebb, while miscreants were vindicated as their activities were well-projected. It seemed as if certain media houses and their associated analysts were outsourced by the miscreants. In this context, an article titled, “Fear and Loathing in Awaran” by Naziha Syed Ali, published in the daily Dawn on November 26, 2013 is a case in point. 

The author has totally projected the cause of separatists, while bashing the security establishment for having failed to win over the hearts and minds of people in Awaran district of Balochistan. As a journalist, she did not bother to investigate the under currents of Awaran, and collected views of only those who represented the banned outfits and therefore missed the real truth. In fact, Baloch insurgents have created a coercive atmosphere in the area where public feels awfully frightened and in order to avoid a backlash from these militants, people have refrained from issuing media statements. Hence, Naziha Syed Ali’s self-created argument that no one spoke to her—vouching for the charities—doing any relief work in the area, lacks strength of credibility and truthfulness.

Balochistan environment envisages that social scientists must be bold enough to act as participant-observers to find out the real pulse of people who cannot even express their real ordeal. To know the inner feelings of people who have been provided by the Pak Army with food, shelter, clothes, medicine, hospital facilities and psychological warmth—enhancing their self-esteem, media analysts must spend more time with victims rather than blowing out unnecessary views of insurgents. Besides, while advancing the foreign propaganda, Naziha Syed Ali shows her misperceptions about the missing persons of Balochistan. She wrote in her article, “The term refers to individuals—abducted by agents of the state including the FC and intelligence personnel. Most remain untraced while many are murdered and dumped…rights groups estimate that thousands of people have been kidnapped and detained in secret prisons by security forces.”

As regards the missing persons, everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and their affiliated outfits including another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW—these militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. They also massacred many persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings and sectarian violence. Therefore, they are responsible for dumped bodies and extrajudicial killings in the province. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for their subversive acts.

 Besides, several missing persons went to Afghanistan and India as they were serving their external secret agents. Some of them were murdered by external secret agencies to malign Pak Army, FC and ISI. Notably, since 2001, a majority of Pakistanis also left for Afghanistan for Jehad purposes, without informing their families, while many people joined the Jahadi groups. A majority of the disappeared individuals are also in the detention centers (Farrari Camps) which are being run by Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who want to continue old system of feudalism in the province.

So, Nazia Syed needs to grasp ground realties in relation to the disappeared persons instead of following misleading approach of the external entities and that of the judicial activism. Now, a majority of the Baloch persons has understood that Balochistan’s mineral resources and geo-strategic location with deep Gwadar seaport, connecting rest of the world with Central Asia have annoyed the US and India because China has already invested billion of dollars to develop this seaport. It is due to multiple strategic designs that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008 seeks to dismember both Pakistan and Iran. Meanwhile, by rejecting US growing pressure, on March 11, 2013 Pakistan’s former President Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the gas pipeline project with Iran. Islamabad also handed over the control of Gwader seaport to China.

During his trip to Beijing, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang signed eight agreements on July 5, 2013 in various fields. The most important one envisages the establishment of an Economic Corridor between deep Gwadar seaport of Balochistan and the historic Silk Road city in western regions-Xinjiang of China. Beijing has also offered to build an international airport in Gwadar which would be connected with the communication network of rest of the country to facilitate transportation of goods. A day before Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Islamabad; Chinese engineers being driven through Clifton Block-1 in Karachi escaped a major bomb attack. Afterwards, Baloch separatist elements targeted Chinese engineers, working at Gwader.  In fact, entrenched in Afghanistan secret agencies like CIA, RAW and Mossad have perennially been assisting subversive acts in Balochistan to fulfill the secret strategic designs of US, India and Israel at the cost of Pakistan, China and Iran.

It is notable that on February 8, 2012, the hearing of the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Dana Rohrabacher discussed target killings and human rights violations in Balochistan, blaming Pakistan’s security agencies. He also co-authored an article, favoring an independent Balochistan. It has exposed external support to the Baloch separatists. But, a Gallup survey of the UK official body, DFID, conducted on July 20, 2012, disclosed that the vast majority of the Baloch people oppose the idea of an independent Balochistan.

As regards the positive role of Army, in 2011, I had visited Balochistan along with other journalists. I saw a number of institutes, set up by army, and these were providing education, especially technical training to thousands of Balochis. Besides other developments works, Pak Army was also imparting army training to the Baloch youth. So, the purpose of army is to uplift of the Baloch people with creation of jobs and to bring them in the mainstream of the country. However, I had also a trip to far-flung areas of the province and witnessed various mega projects and mineral sites, protected by the Armed Forces. People also told me that subversive events are being arranged by the minority separatist elements to create chaotic situation in the province, and no military operation is being conducting in the province.

Nevertheless, our print and electronic media must play positive role in guiding the general masses by projecting the relief activities of Army and FC in earthquake-hit areas in wake of worst challenges and disruptions caused by the miscreants. Instead of misguiding the Baloch people, media must appreciate Army’s humanitarian role and indicate that no army operation is being conducted in earthquake-affected areas, as the false propaganda is being conducted by the militant groups and some Pakistani analysts who are following foreign agenda, therefore they will not be allowed to hurt Pakistan’s interests.

It should also be made known to the separatists that they will never succeed in their designs to damage Pakistan. It is in their own interests to lay down their arms and stop making trouble in the province. Their survival and well-being lies only in united Pakistan. So, stop the filthy game and let the people of Awaran have their relief goods and get settled.

By showing the other side of Balochistan unrest, media must also point out that foreign masters of our internal entities are the enemies of Pakistan and are using them as tools for distorting the image of Pakistan, its Army and FC.(By Sajjad Shaukat)

DPC Peace Call to Avert Sectarian Violence

Posted by Belharvi                                      

                                                          

Sectarian violence continues in Pakistan in one form or the other. In this regard, Punjab President of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muaviya was shot dead by the two unidentified gunmen in Lahore on December 6, this year. A large number of workers of ASWJ staged sit-in protest and demonstrations across the country against his targeted killing. Particularly, in Lahore, shops and roads were closed and traffic jams were witnessed due to protest.

Besides, on December 3, a senior leader of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) was assassinated by two armed men on the University Road in Karachi. Following the incident, MA Jinnah Road was blocked and protesters pelted passing vehicles with stones, which also resulted in traffic jams in many parts of the city. Petrol pumps and CNG filling stations were also closed.

New wave of sectarian violence started in the aftermath of Rawalpindi tragedy which witnessed bloodshed between Shia mourners and Sunnis, leaving 10 dead and several injured in the city on November 15. Angry protesters targeted the mosque and the seminary, torching its building including an adjacent cloth market where events of looting and arson occurred. The incident was followed by violent demonstrations and bloody clashes between the two religious sects, which also took place in Multan, Chishtian, Bahawalnagar, Kohat and Hangu. Curfew was imposed and Army was called to restore peace not only in Rawalpindi, but also in other affected-cities.

In this regard, several Ulema (Religious scholars) and politicians belonging to Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Sunni Ittehad Council, The Sunni Tehreek Ulema Board, The Melli Yakjaheti Council, Tanzeem-i-Nefazi Fiqa Jafria, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F and Muttahida Quami Movement said, “Conspiracies were being hatched to destroy peace in the country though sectarian divide…the enemies had once again succeeded in igniting sectarian strife.” They also urged the masses to be patient to foil the international conspiracy and asked the government to unmask the culprits including some hidden forces behind the Pindi sectarian incident.However, the Rawalpindi tragedy carried the swelling prospects of spreading sectarian unrest in the country—there is a need to defuse the tense situation by undertaking various measures to resolve the sectarian crisis. 

In this context, peace call of the Defa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) to avert sectarian violence is of special consideration, as it is a step in right direction. Notably, in the recent past, DPC held a meeting under the Chairmanship of Maulana Samiul Haque in Islamabad to avert spread of sectarian violence across the country. The meeting was also attended by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Liaquat Baloch, Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi, Ejazul Haque, Maulana Fazalur Rehman Khalil, Lt Gen (R) Hamid Gul, Mian Muhammad Aslam, Abdullah Gul and Sardar Attique Ahmad. The meeting concluded that Rawalpindi tragedy was a plot against Pakistan, and appreciated the patience demonstrated by students of the targeted seminary in Rawalpindi. DPC Chairman Maulana Samiul Haque lauded the role of Ulema for successfully averting the spread of violence. He also demanded that hate-material of different religious institutions should be banned.

Besides recommending to the Parliament to pass legislation so as to control sectarian violence, DPC also gave a peace call to protest against the Rawalpindi incident. Its Chairman Maulana Samiul Haque appealed to the potential protestors to remain peaceful on the Friday in the aftermath of the Rawalpindi episode. This was a right step forward to create conducive atmosphere for all schools of thought to mull over contemplating the need for introspective analysis and maintaining respect for other sects. 

Peaceful march on the related-Friday by the DPC proved that remaining peaceful and demonstrating tolerance and patience towards each other’s sect is much superior option than to react in retaliation. This also sent a message to foreign forces which have been funding sectarian groups to fight their proxy wars inside Pakistan.

It also showed that those elements which are trying to destabilize Pakistan would also be suitably scolded with a pledge that all Pakistanis are united and have the resolve to maintain sectarian harmony—sectarianism poses a security threat to Pakistan and we can fight it by keeping cohesiveness in our ranks and files. 

While, it was also prudent for the organizers of that Friday peace protest including law-enforcing agencies and the administration which ensured that peaceful march by the demonstrators was not disturbed by violent elements and criminals. And all possible measures were taken to make the march a peaceful, violence-free and dignified protest. 

It is mentionable that in the past few years, Pakistan has been facing various kinds of subversive activities, but foreign hostile entities have also accelerated sectarian violence as part of their unfinished agenda to further weaken the country. Undoubtedly, the sporadic sectarian violence against these Muslims has intensified, but, it cannot be seen in isolation as it includes multiple anti-Pakistan designs. Notably, secret agencies like American CIA, Israeli Mossad and Indian RAW are behind sectarian unrest in Pakistan.

In fact, the US had planned to spark a civil war between the Sunnis and Shias in wake of war on terror. So, we cannot blame these secret agencies without solid evidence.For the purpose, a study of the Rand Corporation, titled ‘US Strategy in the Muslim World After 9/11’ was conducted on behalf of the then US Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force. The report of the Rand Corporation-a leading think tank, released on December 27, 2004 advocated that Sunni-Shia sectarian division should be exploited to promote the US objectives in the Muslim World.

The report of the Rand Corporation was first implemented in Iraq. In this context, CIA also got the services of Mossad and RAW to fuel sectarian violence in Iraq. In 2004, major terror-attacks were carried out against the Shias in Karbala and Baghdad. Afterwards, a chain of Shia-Sunni clashes started between Iraqi Shias and Sunnis, targeting each other’s mosques, religious leaders through bomb blasts, suicide attacks etc.After Iraq’s experiment, more deadly pattern of sectarian strife and clashes have been conducted in Pakistan, which still continues in one or the other way.

As a matter of fact, some banned religious outfits like Lashkar-i-Janghvi and the Sunni militant groups, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have claimed responsibility for a number of terror assaults on Shias in Balochistan get arms and ammunition from RAW and CIA. These foreign-backed militants groups which have close connections with each other and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan are behind target-killing of many Sunni and Shia leaders, political figures of these sects, bomb blasts, suicide attacks, assaults on the religious processions, mosques, Imambargahs etc., carried out in various regions of Pakistan to achieve the covert aims of the US, India and Israel.

In this respect, while hinting towards US, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had rightly disclosed, “The bloody actions being committed in Iraq, Pakistan and Iran are aimed at creating a division between the Shias and Sunnis…those who carry out these terrorist actions are directly or indirectly foreign agents.”

Nevertheless, in the aftermath of the Rawalpindi tragedy, the atmosphere presents an edgy picture, as tension still brews among sects of different religious seminaries (Madrassas)—heads of some Madrassas and sects which have also conducted demonstrations and rallies.As part of solution to counter the sectarian violence in Pakistan, DPC initiative of peace must be supported by media, civil society, key communicators and religious scholars who must play an effective role in creating religious tolerance and enlightenment amongst all religious factions, particularly those of Sunnis and Shias, convincing them to live in harmony and peace.

 They must point out that in democratic a state, peaceful protest is a right way, but violent attacks on places of worship and clashes against each other’s sect, and damaging the property is against the teachings of Islam. It will help creating an atmosphere conducive for all schools of thought to contemplate the need to remain peaceful and develop respect for others having different practices and view points.Supporting the DPC demands, these internal entities including political parties should urge the Parliament to pass anti-sectarian laws, while the government must also focus on creating sectarian harmony in the country and political elements must not be allowed to muddle negatively in religious matters.(By Sajjad Shaukat)

Economic Crisis in Pakistan

Engr Sajid Ali 

In 21st century economy is taken as ‘Religion’. It is the blood in the veins of nation state, vitality in the human muscles, base for brutal wars and a reason for governments to rule. The motherland has painfully experienced rising poverty and sinking economy; despite world’s best canal system, profitable geostrategic location, and unexplored resources. The nation, who earned nuclear position despite miseable poverty and sever foreign pressure, can do wonders, if provided with dedicated leadership.

Pakistan economy is under its terrible crisis due to following REASONS

One of the immediate causes is Political instability due to Musharaf’s position as president, delay in restoring judiciaryand resultantly withdrawal of PML (N) from the alliance leaving behind ‘dead’ ministry of finance. In contrast the present government is not showing strong will to cope with the situation. Though some Positive Measures. To end Load Shedding till 14th August, 2009, Benazir income Scheme programme, Distribution of Land in Sindh, tight Tariff System against luxury items

Suicide attacks in the industrial cities-fear among people, disinvestment and maximum outflow of capital, especially in Dubai stock exchange crash.

Foreign investment in 2007 was $ 700,63.5 million but in 2008 only $329 million.

Soaring oil prices due to increased demand from growing economics of China and India, Iraq crisis, Iran holding its oil export, devaluation of Dollar after Iraq invasion and limited supply by OPEC, refusal of Saudi Arabia to enhance its oil supply. More population to use energy from to $ 134/ barrel in 2008.

Food crisis oil prices, low agriculture yield due to heavy cost of production (seeds, pesticides, water and fertilizers), unavailability of small loans to small farmers, power shortage, fast increasing of population, poor governance in managing the food and to stop its smuggling to Afghanistan. Central Asia and Iran which stored big food stocks due to American war. World Food Crisis encouraged its smuggling. Less attention by the governments to live stock, dairy stock, increased circulation of paper currency. Big share of ‘Middle Man’.

World Food Crisis: population explosion, emergence of middle class with more food consumption in India and China. Low yield in India. Earthquake in China, increase in world oil prices.

ENERGY CRISIS:

Inflation means price hike, huge gar between demand and supply, too many rupees chasing too few things. More supply of Money due to; AID after 9/11. Foreign Remittances due to over seas Pakistanis, growth in banking sector and investment in real estate. Poor supply of goods, food items due to low yield. Inflation due to rise in oil prices, food, removal of food subsidy, devaluation of Rupee, higher import price, Government borrowing from State Bank Rs . 544 billion. Resultantly increase in wage-price. Delay in monetary tightening by the State Bank. Government claims 25% while actual is 32% while food inflation is 45%

Poor tax system:

Only salaried persons pay regular tax, while the major sectors find safe path through corruption. Agriculture tax cannot be imposed due to feudal in policy making.

Unilateral growth:

TOPPERSProduction was not encouraged by the previous government, rather Pakistan was made a consumer society, services sector was enhanced which created less jobs.

Positive Indicators:

Services sector expansion at 8.2%. Highest Sugarcane production 63.9% million.
Construction field, per capital income $ 1085.

Statistic:

GDP growth rate 5.8% investment declined to 21.6% of GDP. National savings to 13.9% of GDP.
Effects of Economic crisis:

Pragamatic Solutions:

· political commitment to formulate short term and long term policies with consistency
· Levy of an excise duty on non-essential consumer goods to save foreign reserves
· Development of the agricultural income tax by the provinces
· Give priority to agriculture, water, power, health and education.
· Limiting the extent of govt borrowing from the State Bank of Pakistan
· Establish an independent Federal Bureau of Statistics headed by a professional that directly reports to the Parliament and not to the govt.
· Establish independent panel of experts to engage in the consultative process in the design, implementation and monitoring of donor supported projects critical to the medium-term economic recovery. This will ensure transparency, rig our and relevance.
· Given the multiple dimensions of uncertainty in the global, national and household economy, it is essential that the highest priority for protection to the poor where uncertainty can lead to irreversible damage-in the shape of high morbidity and mortality, decline in the nutritional status of children and women, and withdrawal from schools.
· An over-arching principle should be maximum leveraging of scarce public resources by exploring all potential avenues forprivate partnership in the public development program.
· A core structure weakness of the economy highlighted by the current crisis is the lack of international competitiveness that retards an export-led growth strategy.
· Govt’s role in providing marketing information and producing to international needs to be revamped.
· Within country logistics costs should be reduced.
· Worker skills are critical to give our firms a competitive edge in international markets; programs for skill upgrading need to be modernized.
· The current debilitating power shortages have to be redressed quickly and a well through medium term energy plan need to be in place that provides reasonably priced and good quality power to industry.
· Given our natural comparative advantage in agriculture, i.e. the world’s largest contiguous canal irrigation system, diversity of agro-climatic zones, good soil conditions and cheap labor with a centuries old farming traditions, poor crop yields and absence of high value added agricultural exports, is a glaring example of unfulfilled promise.
· Maintenance, modernization and expansion of key rural infrastructure spanning water, roads and electricity are in urgent need of policy and institutional reforms.
· Accelerating the growth of small and medium farms where there is considerable potential for increasing yield per acre and employment generation

To reduce regional inequalities by actively targeting less-developed areas of the country. The Balochistan govt must be provided the resources to implement its strategy. In addition, similar strategies need to be developed for NWFP.
Greater decentralization of resources and setting of development priorities by the provinces themselves. Encourage investment by China in Pakistan through development of infrastructure and appropriate
Ancentives to tap South Asian markets.
Increase and modernize land trade routes, including investment in infrastructure and allowing each others trucks and containers to carry cargo to market destinations.
Pakistan’s institutional and economic structure continues to constrains its ability to achieve long-term poverty reductionand inclusive economic growth; and sustain an unequal distribution of income and opportunities for its male and female citizenry. Therefore to provide equitable market access for the poor and enable them to contribute to GDP growth through sustainable livelihood.
(MUET SZAB Khairpur)                                                      

Why Bangladesh Propagates against ISI?

Posted by Belharvi

Having pro-Indian tilt, since Bangladesh’s Awami League came into power, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid has started a deliberate propaganda campaign against Pakistan, its army and especially Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

In this context, on the direction of India, unlike the past years, a ceremony was held in Dhaka on March 24, 2013, with full pump and show to honour ‘Foreign Friends of Bangladesh Award,’ in relation to the crisis which led to the separation of East Pakistan in 1971. For this purpose, several foreign friends who included various institutions and media anchors from various countries, particularly India were invited. Besides other renowned persons, the recipients of awards from Pakistan were mainly those personalities whose deceased fathers had opposed army action in the East Pakistan and had totally ignored the Indian supported secessionist movement led by Mukti Bahini. Notably, on the instruction of New Delhi, in December, 2012 when the names of participants in the said ceremony were announced, Bandladeshi Prime Minister Hasina Wajid had refused to attend D-8 conference in Islamabad unless Pakistan tendered apology for the alleged genocide of Bengalis.

In this regard, in the recent past, a book titled, “Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: The Unfinished Memoirs” written by a Bengali as his autobiography has been simultaneously released in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. The book left no stone unturned in distorting Pakistan’s history and tarnishing the image of Pakistan’s armed forces regarding the separation of East Pakistan.

Without grasping reality, the book explained that it was not Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bengalis who wanted to break up Pakistan, but actually created Pakistan. In fact, the political intrigues and blunders of military dictators broke up Pakistan—Majib was arrested and a military operation started in East Pakistan. Bengalis were massacred and their women were raped.

While speaking in line of the book, and concealing the real facts, senior media anchor, Hamid Mir who also received the award, reproduced its contents in his article, “Mujib’s Memoirs,” published in a leading daily, on November 24 praised Mujibur Ranman and implicated Pak Army. He wrote, “It is time now to apologise officially to the people of Bangladesh.”

Notably, a renowned Bengali journalist Sarmila Bose authored a book, “Dead Reckoning: Memories of the 1971 Bangladesh War” after thorough investigation. Her book was published in 2011. While countering exaggerations of the Indian and Bengali Journalists, Bose argues that the number of Bengalis killed in 1971 was not three million, but around 50,000 while Bengalis were equally involved in the bloodshed of Punjabis, Biharis, Pashtoons and Balochis.

Everyone knows that Majib was already in connivance with India for separation of East Pakistan. Therefore, when East Pakistan was occupied by Indian Army in 1971, he stated with pleasure that his 24 years old dream of an independent Bangladesh had been fulfilled. He had earlier developed his contacts with Indian rulers and training camps of Mukti Bahini, established by Indian army and RAW which also funded Mujibur Rehman’s general elections in 1970.

Now, India is employing various tactics through Prime Minister Hasina Wajid who has become a tool in accelerating propaganda against ISI. Just like the Indian leaders of the ruling party, Congress and the fundamentalist parties, especially BJP, who have made ISI, a scapegoat for the forthcoming elections of India, Prime Minister Ms. Wajid including workers of the Awami League has been following the same pattern by propagating against this spy agency.      As a matter of fact, the government led by Awami League has brought about political instability, social strife and financial problems of grave nature in Bangladesh. Owing to incompetence, flawed policies, its leader Prime Minister Hasina Wajid has totally failed in resolving the problems of the impoverished masses. Therefore, present scenario in Bangladesh presents poor governance, while the government is generally known as an Indian puppet.

Nevertheless, resultantly political turmoil and social disorder with its negative impact go on haunting the socio-political milieu of Bangladesh. Lack of political vision and inefficiency of the government headed by PM Ms. Wajid and the ministers have turned the Awami League into a corrupt clique of politicians who are totally insensitive towards real issues faced by people of the country, as they remain focused in promoting their self-interests. Hence, party’s popularity considerably declined. As the country enters into new phase of elections, its leaders have developed irrational fears and sense of proportion speculating that they will be rejected by the voters. In this context, political experts indicate that Bangladeshis have lost hope in Awami League—bringing about any positive change in their poverty ridden socio-economic standing and status of deprivation. The political awareness of the fiercely independent and patriotic Bangladeshis has caused them to lose faith and respect for Awami League which has made their country the subservient of New Delhi and collaborator of Hindu extremists.

So, in this deteriorating situation, Awami League’s leadership has developed a psychological obsession with preconceived ideas to appease Indian government and extremist Hindus by propagating against Pakistan and particularly ISI.

It is mentionable that, in the election-campaign, Awami League’s rival party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Begum Khaleda Zia is likely to challenge the current problems, created by Awami League. Fearing the impending loss in the polls and feeling the pinch of the likelihood of losing to BNP, the Awami League has launched a vile propaganda campaign to malign BNP by linking it with ISI. In this venomous campaign, Awami League is being guided by its Indian advisers. It is notable that Tarique Rehman who is son of the BNP Chairperson Ms. Khaleda Zia is likely to take over the leadership of BNP from his mother and is a strong contestant to win elections in the country. In this respect, the content analysis of recently published propaganda reports in Bangladesh’s print media revealed that Tarique Rehman has contact with ISI for getting financial support. But some Bangladeshi sources disclosed that Bangladesh’s intelligence agency provided false data about Tarique Rehman to India for initiating a slanderous campaign against him in Indian media—quickly linking him with ISI for maintaining contact and allegedly getting financial support. However, the government of Hasina Wajid’s move is aimed at appeasing Indian leaders and diverting the attention of the Bangladeshi people from the real crises in order to win the elections.

Overtly, Indian rulers declare that they will not interfere in Bangladesh’s forthcoming elections, covertly; they have been using all means in meddling in the politics of that country. Alarmed with power-loss in Bangladesh, Indian top officials have started maligning BNP and ISI, and the same is being done by those of the Awami League. Unfortunately, nervous and confused leaders of the Awami Legue use Indian style propaganda to implicate BNP and damage its repute with a view to win elections. They intentionally indulge in targeting ISI so as to create hatred against Pakistan and its primary security agency, ISI. Although the people of Bandladesh are facing poverty due to the flawed polices of the PM Hasina Wajid, yet politically, they are matured to understand the manipulation by her party’s politicians who are playing in the hands of New Delhi.

Nonetheless, Pakistan’s media must assert upon Bangladesh’s writers and analysts to maintain their sense of proportion and stop propagating against Islamabad and ISI, especially when fresh elections in that country are likely to be held in the near future. Pakistan respects the sovereignty of Bangladesh by expecting the same from it. While exposing the Awami League’s connections with India, our media and politicians must condemn slanderous expressions against Pakistan’s ISI.   Returning to our main discussion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lacks political vision and competence to address the real concerns of the poor masses of Bangladesh, as her only priority is to soothe Indians by showing Pakistan in bad light. The inefficiency and corrupt practices of her party’s leaders are known to everybody both inland and abroad. Consequently, they have hardly any chance to be re-elected and hence, have started propagating against ISI.(Sajjad Shaukat)

Real Character of Fazllulah

Posted By Belharvi

After the killing of the Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone attack on November 1, this year, Taliban Shura decided to appoint the most ferocious and notorious militant Maulana Fazlullah as chief of the TTP.

In this regard, a controversy arose for the selection of new leader, as many TTP insurgents had been intensely whispering against Fazllulah by arguing that their head should have been from Mehsud tribe, as many voted for Khan Saeed alias Sajna who belongs to the same tribe. Setting aside the rift between TTP ranks and files, Taliban Shura favoured Fazllulah. This came as a shock to all Mehsud tribal cliques who have serious objections against Fazllulah’s selection as head of TTP.  

A majority of the Mehsud tribe believes that only Mehsuds have the right to lead TTP, and they also assert that selection of Fazllulah has created differences among TTP factions. Mehsuds also feel disturbed as TTP’s leadership has been taken away from them, whereas till now they were the leaders of the outfit.

On the other side, the TTP new Chief Maulana Fazlullah dismissed the proposed peace negotiations with the government as a “waste of time”, and vowed to target the prime minister, chief minister, chief of army staff and corpse commanders.

In fact, Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike on information provided by a senior TTP leader Latifullah Mehsud who was captured by US Special Forces in Afghanistan. He revealed the secret location of Hakimullah Mehsud to American investigators. He did so because he wanted to get money from US. Moreover, he was against Hakimullah for agreeing to start peace talks with Pakistan Government. Reportedly, internal differences and rift in TTP leaders existed which was exploited by Fazllulah to get top leadership of the outfit. 

Notably, unlike the TTP new Chief Maulana Fazlullah, Saeed is a moderate, who strongly supported the peace dialogue with the government.

The choice of Fazlullah as the new head of TTP has no significance because of his obvious vicious trend and stained mind set. The people of Pakistan, Swat and law-enforcing agencies have no doubt about his stature as a non-state actor with power-motives and greedy agenda.

However, Fazllulah is a familiar character, also known as Mullah Radio due to his infamous FM Radio Operations conducted against the state of Pakistan and Pak Army in Swat, while People of Pakistan especially the inhabitants of Swat recognize him as a killer with a history of criminal pathology, social delinquency, wicked brutality and cruel outlook. In this context, his real character needs special attention.

Maulana Fazlullah who belongs to Babukarkhel clan of Yusafzai tribe of Swat district, is son-in-law of Maulana Sufi Muhammad who had founded Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), which was banned by Pakistan Government. On January 12, 2002, he became the leader of TNSM since Sufi had been sent to jail. During his control in Swat, he left no stone unturned in misinterpreting Islam by broadcasting his fiery speeches, preaching virtue and exhorting the people to abstain from vices in order to get their sympathy.

Having duality, he opposed the western system, and propagated that imposition of Islamic laws was the sole cure for all the evils in the society. As his supporters grew in size, he started taking practical action against so-called evil-doers by torching electronic and video shops. His militant threatened barbers not to shave beards and were forced to close their shops. Fazlullah also rejected anti-polio move in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while his insurgents targeted even women in this regard. He prohibited women from taking part in education and imposed ban on female education in Swat district. Some 400 schools enrolling 4000 girls were shut down and 170 schools were burnt. He had also ordered death of Malala Yusafzai because she favoured the education of girls.

During his reign of terror in Swat and other adjoining areas, Maulana Fazlullah allowed his militants to follow un-Islamic activities such as forced marriages, slaughter of captives, beheadings in public, floggings, kidnappings for ransom, suicide bombings, targeted killings, and eliminating the dissidents. It was due to his brutal methods that Green Square in Mingora earned the name of ‘Khooni Chowk.’ He acted upon cruel methods to frighten the people so as to impose his brand of hard-line Shariah on them.

In some tribal areas and Swat, insurgents led by Fazlullah have been involved in a number of anti-social and un-Islamic practices like drug-smuggling, car-snatching etc. They justified that thus, they collect money to wage the holy war. From wealth, collected through unfair means, he constructed a Madrassa in Mingora worth Rs 25 crores, which became his base of operation and he used it for the purpose of training terrorists. While making Swat a state within a state, his militants also killed several personnel of the security forces.

Optimistically, the Pakistan Government signed peace deals with Maulana Sufi and Fazlullah by agreeing to introduce Nizam-e-Adal in Malakand District and these insurgent leaders agreed to renounce violence. But, contrarily, Fazllulah’s terrorists occupied Dir and Buner by transgressing the Swat agreement.

When Pakistan’s armed forces successfully ejected the TTP militants out of these areas through Swat and Malakand military operations, the new leader of the TTP Maulana Fazlullah who had close connections with Pakistan-based TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud, had run to Afghanistan. Based in the Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan—with the support of Indian secret agency RAW, Afghan spy service, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) which also have tactical backing of the US, his insurgents intensified subversive activities in Pakistan by sending heavily-equipped militants. Notably, in the past few years, in connivance with the South Wazirstan-based TTP and its affiliated outfits, his militants killed thousands of persons across Pakistan through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings, beheadings, assaults on military troops, police stations, sectarian violence etc. Besides, they also targeted mosques, Imambargahs, mausoleums, and disgraced dead bodies.

It is mentionable that Latifullah Mehsud also confessed that Afghanistan and India were involved in promoting terrorist activities inside Pakistan. He also revealed that while waging proxy wars in Pakistan, terrorist attacks on Gen. Sanaullah Khan Niazi in Upper Dir, at Peshawar Church, in Qissa Khawani Bazar and elsewhere had been planned by Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies. Particularly, regarding terror-attack at Peshawar church, TTP did not claim responsibility, but it proved when the outfit misinterpreted Islam by indicating that it was in accordance with Sharia.

Nevertheless, Maulana Fazlullah and his so-called followers have also been playing a key role in recruiting very young boys—and after their brainwashing through indoctrination; they train them for suicide bombings. The planners misguide these Muslims by convincing that they will have a noble place in the Heavens in exchange of suicide attacks.

As a matter of fact, Fazlullah is a hypocrite, as he deserted his followers in Swat due to Army operation, and managed his own survival because he was standing through foreign funding and supply of arms cache to launch terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. In these terms, his morality is also questionable and so is the case of his heroism.

Simply speaking, Fazllulah represents ‘bad’ Taliban who are at war with Pakistan on behest of their foreign masters. His open verdict for not resuming peace talks with the Pakistan Government points at his future strategy to continue terrorist attacks. To Fazllulah’s full appeasement, TTP has already declared to avenge Hakimullah Mehsud’s death.

Nonetheless, return of Fazllulah as TTP leader is not a big deal, as all stake holders in Pakistan exactly know his double game. He is undoubtedly an instrument of foreign secret agencies which back him to destabilize Pakistan.

So, our political, religious entities and domestic media must assertively project the real character of Fazllulah and his terrorist activities. They must expose the anti-Pakistan forces which do not approve the idea of peace talks with TTP and would certainly go on assisting idiotic criminals like Fazllulah to further weaken Pakistan.

Pakistan’s public must also know that Maulana Fazllulah is not a Mehsud by tribe, but gained popularity in TTP due to his links with external secret agencies and maliciously harsh conduct. He is a propagandist who quickly manipulates information about current developments to keep him relevant in criminal band of TTP.

Fazalullah is a hypocrite who propagates Islamic laws, but   violates all norms and values of Islam to gratify his power-motives. He only understands the language of force and his time appears to be up, unless he mends his ways.(By Sajjad Shaukat)