Government-press row
Dr MS Jillani
Anybody who says that he is not perturbed over the onslaught on the Jang Group is at best naive. The indifference being exhibited by some sections of the society in this case has very dangerous implications. This is partly a consequence of the feeling that nothing will happen by invasion of an institution as many others like the presidency, the judiciary, the civil and military bureaucracy, have been effectively demoralised and subjugated. In spite of all the indignation of the intellectuals nothing happened and the onslaught continued. So nothing will happen even now. This provides the government with a license to destroy the institutions further.
The second possible cause of the said complacency is the widely shared feeling of helplessness. This leads to the accumulation of pent-up feelings which tend to erupt as and when triggered. This can be in the form of self-emulations in front of the Prime Minister's house as happened in Lahore, or momentous social unrest as witnessed in Indonesia recently. The lesson is the same: people should be allowed to vent their feelings, air grievances and express sentiments. The vehicle for the process is the mass media. Muffling it not only obstructs national progress but can make a society listless and direction-less. Then what are we trying to accomplish by wrecking the institution which is supposed to serve as a beacon besides functioning as a safety valve, especially in a situation where all other institutions are subservient to the government.
I, among many others in Pakistan, am concerned about the ongoing tirade on the Jang Group, which generates fears that this might be the first step towards brow-beating the entire press. One is surprised why it is not realised that every newspaper, author, columnist, and other writers is shown a loyalty by readers. In return the papers provide their readership with facts at the peril of being censured and victimised. This arrangement binds the two parties into a lastingly relationship which provides protection, and in turn, the freedom to speak the truth. Subscribers do not like an attack on the independence of newspapers, as this disrupts the flow of information which is the prime purpose of the communication media. The whole exercise of muzzling the press, therefore, is actually an operation to make enemies and obstruct the current of information.
My association with the Jang is almost 60 years old. As a young boy at Delhi, The Jang, Anjam, Partap and the Tribune were the first newspapers that I was introduced to at home. Over the years, I developed admiration for many other papers as well. The Jang, however, grew into a giant under the guidance of Mir Khalil ur Rehman. I had the privilege of knowing Mir Sahib for many years during my Karachi University days and at Islamabad, besides his visit to our home at Chicago in 1959 or so, in the company of Mr Hameed Nizami. Apart from the pleasure of seeing venerable gentlemen from home, I fondly recall the visit as the two peers were travelling together as close friends--something which fell prey to the annihilation of our traditions and values.
I have never met Mir Shakil ur Rehman. But I give him the credit for upholding the tradition of the founder and building the Group into an enviable institution. Over the years I have discovered that this is one of the few papers which will print a piece even against itself or the Group, provided there is substance in it. How many publications can boast of this courage? And how can you not respect the editors who have the heart to publish your opinion even if it could hurt them?
The more recent government-Jang Group conflict smacks of extreme obstinacy. I have not listened to the tapes released by Mir Shakil ur Rehman, but I have been told by those who know Saifur Rehman that the person talking to Mir Shakil was the Senator himself. There is no reason to doubt this. What has come out in open is stark intimidation, pressurisation and absolute interference of the government in the working of a free press. If nothing else, the image of government as a champion of the freedom of the press has been badly mauled. The whole episode reflects the Senator's single-minded pursuit of whatever comes to his mind, regardless of his responsibilities as the head of the accountability outfit and a member of the upper house of the parliament.
In a civilised society, especially one committed to the great Islamic values and traditions, all government dealings are expected to be transparent and judicious. Resort to coercion, threats and saber rattling is not viewed as civilised behaviour. To save the PM and the ruling party unnecessary embarrassment, the responsibility for accountability should immediately be handed over to the Chief Ehtesab Commissioner, and the FIA should be placed under the absolute control of the Ministry of Interior, where it really belongs.