No time for guest invited to speak on Balochistan in Kamran Khan's show

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 July 2018

Rafiullah Kakar, a consultant and journalist, was invited to discuss Balochistan elections but was denied airtime after a long wait on Dunya TV. This incident underscores the ongoing media neglect towards Balochistan's issues.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - A development consultant has complained that he was invited to Kamran Khan’s show on Dunya TV to discuss elections in Balochistan but after a two-and-a-half hour wait he was told that no time was left to talk about the province.

Rafiullah Kakar, who regularly writes for The Express Tribune, tweeted: “I was invited to @AajKamranKhan’s show to discuss elections in Balochistan. The show started at 9:30 nd ended at 12. After making me wait for 3 hours, they informed me at 11:55 pm that there was no time to discuss Balochistan. This is the level of media’s interest in Balochistan.”

Journalist Zarrar Khuhro thought the reason might be trying to get too much covered during the show. “Another problem is that they stuff WAY too many people in a limited slot with the result that it becomes a machi market and substantive issues just don't get discussed.”

The leader of the Opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman termed this treatment “a shame.” While head of Balochistan National Party Akhtar Mengal maintained Balochistan has never been media’s priority. “Never have time to discuss Balochistan! Never been a priority, no matter what.”