JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 02, 2012 | Z B Saigol
Join our WhatsApp channel
KARACHI: Got a phone call about noon yesterday from a friend at Geo TV. She seemed quite excited. Started babbling, tripping over her words in her excitement to tell me what she called the ‘news of the century’.
After a suitable pause, I said: “Hang on there. Tell me from the beginning. Start at the top and work your words to a conclusion… please.”
She said: “Sana Bucha quit today.”
“Who’s that?”
“You don’t know Sana?” she said, sounding scandalized.
“No.”
“She’s the anchor of Lekin,” she said, as if I should have known that.
“Duh…” I said, with some effort, “Why?”
“Because of your friend Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain,” she said, exasperated.
Finally she had my attention. “What did he do to this Sana person?”
“Not him directly,” explained my friend, “because of him. She quit because he has been rehired. Sana says it’s a matter of principal.”
“That’s what Nasim Zehra said when Mubashar and Meher decided to be a little too smart for their own good and guess what…she’s back at Dunya talking about wringing in new work ethic and other such mumbo jumbo bull. Don’t talk to me about these so-called principled people. Grandstanding is more like it. ”
“It’s not only her,” continued my friend, “It’s half the newsroom here in Karachi, at Islamabad and even Lahore. Nobody wants him. There is an internal petition and you won’t believe some of the names on it.”
“Hmmm… there really might be something to this after all. So tell me who?
“To begin with Azhar Abbas, the Managing Director News.”
“Yeah. Azhar has been there a long time. That newsroom is him… Geo can’t afford to lose him. If he goes that would be a big loss.”
“Then there’s Muaaz Ghamdi, the Director of Content Development, he’s said to be extremely unhappy. I saw him today and he was hopping mad.”
“Another guy who knows his stuff. I didn’t think he would be the kind who would be hopping mad though.”
“…And I believe some of the hosts of other shows are not happy either,” my friend informed me, a lot calmer now.
“Why should they be? After all they haven’t been offered designations like Vice-President of the Network, Group Executive Director or Editor of Religious Affairs or any other kind of affairs other than their own personal affairs?”
“There is talk that Sana has already done a deal with Waqt TV. She hasn’t done her show here for the past few days. Not expected in today either. “
“Good for her.”
“There is a good chance others will follow,” my friend insisted.
“When they do, don’t forget to remember me.”
There was a lengthy pause at the other end before my friend finally asked, “What do you think this all means?”
“As far as I’m concerned,” I said a bit edgily, “It means the industry is in turmoil. This is like a family fight. Nasim Zehra quits; she comes back. Mubashar Lucqman is sacked he joins ARY. Matiullah Jan is sacked, he joins Waqt. Fahd leaves ARY and joins Waqt and of course the bumper trumper of them all, that Doctor Jahil quits ARY to return to Geo…. There have to be some repercussions. Something has to give.”
“For example?”
“All belief in our media is already gone. The public look upon us as a bunch of liars and this is not entirely wrong. Look at the unethical practices we have been employing, look at the hypocrisy we have been getting up to, the personal agendas and ideologies we have been promoting, the hatred and propaganda we have being sowing. Sooner or later such things begin to go against you and they have.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“What is going to happen is that Geo is going to make more money this year during Ramazan than last year thanks to the doctor and his spineless supporters. A few people might actually quit, but not because of any so-called principles, rather chasing better offers elsewhere. And worst of all, PEMRA will be provided the opportunity to clamp down on the media a la Zia and then see what will happen. All this airing of dirty linen in public is going to leave the air a bit rancid.”
“Okay okay… so what is your opinion of Dr Amir Liaquat?”
“Please don’t ask me questions I can’t answer,” I said, hanging up.
P.S: I gifted my television set to the driver today. Perhaps he will have more use for it. I’m done with it. Just the thought of seeing that hypocrite pseudo-religious guru on television is not something I have the capacity of enduring.
(Z B Saigol is a guest writer. The views expressed by him do not necessarily reflect the views of JournalismPakistan.com)
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.