By Dr Muhammad Faheem Belharvi
Irreligious act of the Geo channel appeared
like a blow from the sky, as people have already been praising the armed forces
and ISI. In this context, besides other leaders, and political parties, even
Jamat-i-Islami remarked that Geo and Jang group has been implementing
anti-Pakistan agenda of external powers. Especially, Chairman, Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan who has also defended the stance of Army and
ISI, announced to boycott Geo and Jang group. In a press conference on May 17,
Imran Khan displayed documentary evidence, revealing that Geo TV is working
against the national interests of Pakistan and is being funded by foreign
countries like UK and the US State Department for shaping the national
narrative on foreign agendas, while there is no audit of the Geo network which
blackmails those who raise question in this connection.
Imran Khan disclosed, “Mir
Shakil-ur-Rehman, owner of the Geo and Jang Group has established a trust
(MKRF) through which he gets foreign funding and so far he has received 6.9
million pounds—this amount was questioned by Lord Nazir in the British House of
Lords as well.” He pointed out that Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman “protects his
financial interests through his media house, whereas Geo TV network is defaulter
of PEMRA and Sindh Revenue Board. National Bank is owed Rs.1.8 Billion as of
2010.” Imran Khan said, “PML (N) and Geo are the one team having common
interests—Najam Sethi, an employee for Geo TV was made PCB chairman as a gift
of Geo’s services, and rigging in the elections 2013 by Najam Sethi.”Imran Khan
further added, “Media trial of ISI and its chief by Geo TV is extremely
condemnable which was done as per agenda set by Mir Shakil ur Rehman.”
The reason is that these virtues of civilized
people are considered as signs of weakness and vulnerability in our crass and
brutalized society. Instinctively we try to detect trick and deceit if courtesy
is shown towards us and are at a loss when we find none. Good nature and good
manners are obsolete whereas self-respect is replaced by stark arrogance. Like
the caged wolves we tend to pounce ferociously upon every hand extended and
bite whatever moves. We have since long blurred distinction between fair
possession and greed; privilege of power and corresponding obligation of duty.
Finally, there is a devastating disconnect between acts of commission and onus
of responsibility of the consequences. No one seems accountable for anything
here. Malice, bile, urges to demolish the adversary brick and mortar and gross
disregard to basic demands of law and decency has seeped deep into our psyche.
Thoroughly soaked in our steamy national traits
and a few more of their own brands, we have a flight of scavengers at the
state’s helm passing as our national executive. This time they also have a
dirty-tricks media pack to help them outshout others. This pack is believed to
be fed and funded from abroad and finds the leadership naïve enough to swallow
the bait. It is an alliance of the phony and an association of assured
destruction. The way it launched media trial of the country’s premier
intelligence agency on an engineered shooting of its pampered anchor
while the stunned government and shrunken PEMRA kept not only regrettably quiet
but also ,perhaps, were relishing the unseemly brawl, is despicable.
Pakistan Army and ISI‘s response was
dignified just as these shriveled men stooped to record low in their depravity.
The problem is that quiet dignity when pushed to the wall hits back with
fearsome determination and a grave sense of purpose against the whole lot of
perpetrators. To add insult to injury our comatose PEMRA in league with the
coterie had not only sent a lukewarm notice to the pompous TV channel but never
seriously considered the matter in their official meeting the next day. This
collusion has not gone unnoticed. Play any tricks and fake any concern but the
soldier is not going to be deceived this time. The attempt appears to test the
patience of the Armed forces a degree more or may be to push them a little
farther. A very dangerous game, if I may venture to advice.
Predicament with the present dispensation is
manifold and tragically flawed. Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his inner circle
have not been able to grow out of their persistent loathing of the very Army
which was responsible, in the first place, to thrust them into politics.If left
alone he could have made a famously successful iron baron .Somehow he
immediately tends to go on to confront competing state institutions and
thus plays havoc with the country every time he comes into power. Please put
your ear to the ground and listen to the deep rumblings forewarning of a coming
earthquake. If not, then cup your palm to your ear and listen to the ominous
hum in the ranks. It is one of the most dangerous sounds in the world, said
Lord Halifax. There is an urgent need for sanity and careful reflection to
avert a possible repeat debacle. However the real difficulty is with their
defective software which has already ordered self-destruct command. The romance
is over.
At this hour, own media must prove that confusing
behavioral pattern of Geo proves that it is guilty of charges leveled against
it. A patriotic person or media group does not need to make noise about his
loyalty. Good conduct and concern for the state including image of own key
national institutions like ISI prove the patriotism that people of Pakistan are
mature enough to assess who is promoting foreign agenda through double standard
and hypocrisy.
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