JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 23, 2012 | Z B Saigol
Join our WhatsApp channel
KARACHI: I gave up on Pakistan's media and what they stand for long ago. Frankly their unprofessional attitude and lack of ethics sickens me. Therefore, it was with whopping degree of skepticism that I considered JournalismPakistan.com when it was first referred to me by a former colleague, a decent sort of chap who for a short while worked at CNBC and whom I shall refer to as MS.
"It is not your run of the mill website on media," he had said, "It's run by Stephen Manuel and Imran Naeem Ahmad."
"Who the hell are they?" I asked.
MS was miffed if not downright offended.
"Okay, I'll have a look at it," I said and promptly forgot.
I met the fellow a year later and one of the first questions he asked me was, "So what is your opinion of JP?"
"Is that HP's younger brother or older?" I asked in my typical style.
"Saigol Sahib," he said frustrated, "Aaap to kissi aur ko thora sa bhi credit dainay kay leeyay teyar hi nahi." He flipped open his laptop and had the website open in a moment. "Have a look," he pleaded. I capitulated reluctantly.
A few minutes became half an hour. I looked up and saw MS had an "I told you so" smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Don't look so smug," I said vindictively, "It has a couple of mistakes in it."
He came over. "Here...." I pointed out where two words had not been separated, "and here..." I said indicating where the word 'their' had been spelled as 'there'.
"It is human to err..." he said philosophically and then kept quiet.
I waited a moment before I said: "Okay it's the best media website I have come across... period. I don't mean just in Pakistan, but anywhere. I'm impressed… Who are these guys? They are doing a good job."
MS smiled happily. "Steve used to be my boss in CNBC," he said, "Real journalist... and Imran is his friend and colleague, a career journalist based in Islamabad. Both are senior journalists with international experience.
"I like what they are doing. They seem to have it covered entirely....the gamut of the journalism scene. Features, breaking news, information, services... so who funds them?"
"Self-financed," MS said.
"That means passion is the engine making the machine run here," I murmured and he nodded. "Is there any way you can introduce me to them?" MS nodded again.
It's been over a year now since I have been writing for JournalismPakistan.com and I can tell you I have enjoyed being a contributor. Both Steve and Imran have informed me that I go overboard sometimes, but that's just me. I have been told my stories or observations always evict criticism. But that's me again, I guess. I'm still to meet Imran and I'll do that when I go to Islamabad or when he comes here. With Steve it’s mostly Facebook. But I know both of them well or I think I do.
I wish Steve, Imran and JournalismPakistan.com the very best on the third birthday of the website. May you have many more.
And JP...thanks for providing me an avenue where I can really vent my frustration and say what I want to. Media in Pakistan would be poorer without you. Thanks.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
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.