Is our electronic media fair to Balochistan ?

[Altaf Lutfi]

Mr. Mohammad Aamir Khakwani's column "Waghera Waghera" in Daily Express dated: August 20, 2011 is an aye opener for us all. He visited the distressed region of Balochistan in connection with Independence Day celebrations there and first hand reprting of the situation. He tells us that after long time, this year a lot much passion was observed in Baloch people for Pakistan and anti elements failed to stop or hinder celebrations at large. He quoted Motor bike rallies of youth with Pakistani Flags in many places, specially in Ziarat and Quetta.

We know our main TV channels and Anchors for lambasting the Government for negligence towards misery of Baloch people. We also find them repeatedly talking of separation moves in making.This is true but if they are failing to promote and encourage Pro-Pakistani Baloch masses activities and failing to let us know the whole picture, that puts a question mark on their scope and agenda. Are they running after hot topics and dark side of the things for RATINGS only or their purpose is better served by causing panic and sensation only ? If yes, they must be identified as fifth columnists, each channel is answerable for its role, either in Velvet gloves or naked sword.

A cohessive Media coverage of Independence day celebrations in Balochistan, commentaries and analysis could have reduced the damage done. Rather than asking these channels, ISPR and Balochistan Government , I propose to all members of this site to pay special attention to TV programs and discuss more often here so TV channels can feel the heat and do their part in protection of Balochistan and Baloch people.

 

[Bombaybuz]

Are baluch fair with pakistan ...?? if they can go to any extend in the support of their tribal lords and those lords become black mailers then what you expect... im not saying what mush did with bughti was right but ... what ever bughti was doing till then was that fully right?? from day one he was getting royalty for gas from govt and didn't spend a dyne on the welfare of his people and when his own people realised that they have been left out then he put the blame on govt and started black mailing ... one may not agree cause emotion wont help people reaching to some conclusion but if the baluch think that they can become a separate state or they can continue this armed struggle then they must look at Kashmiries and Palestinians and to realise then at the end you can solve the issue only n only by sitting on a table... as far as media coverage is concern ... Baluchistan is a tough terrain to do so.

 

[Altaf Lutfi]

Thanks or your concerns, at least somebody offered time on the issue. My topic asks only for us and media to have consistant look on whats going on there and that includes friends as well as foes of Pakistan. I did not take sides to any party or group. You have genuinly quoted Bugti case but it just too complicated wholesome scenario in Baluchistan.Foreign powers like Afghanistan,Russia, India, US, Iran and UAE have been playing their roles as their intersts lead to and with passage of time bloody memories too building up. Our security apparatus has many successes n failures there in the past. So, one can not simply make it 2+2=4 kind of approach. I am sorry but let me share with you that blame game which we normally play here in settled areas can be fatal enough in Tribal societies. We need to pick the pieces with care to find the causes. Given the natural norms of Baloch society, you have to respct and deal with Sardars and Nawabs whether you like it or not because ordinary Baloch is standing behind them for centuries. Our Governments have pumped millions of Rupees to Sardars because they are custodians of their tribes. There need to be a precise balance applying state rules while respecting the socio-cultural sensitivity of people. Since Muharraf's times till now, its open fact that Balochistan is being ignored, whatever we quote in Billions as development funds, are simply an allocation for Ministers, political allies and party members to plunder. When the elected governments cheat on ordinary Balochis, who can blame Sardars for doing nothing.