An aching TV talk-show

In what appeared to be a quite disgusting, a private TV channel’s talk-show discussed the issue of Balochistan, increasing the estranged feelings of Baloch people.

Barrister Saif, the spokesperson of former President General Pervez Musharraf used very rough language against a Baloch nationalist leader, threatening him to murder in centre of Quetta during a live TV show.

For me, however, the role of the anchorperson was quite annoying and ireful. He didn’t bother to speak a single word during the exchange of harsh words among his panelists.

When Talal Bugti, the son of Nawab Akbar Bugti, joined the show via telephone, the anchorperson raised a question about hyperbolized role of General Musharraf in Akbar Bugti’s murder.

The entire mess was started when the anchor gave respect to Musharraf in his words. Talal was of the view that Musharraf should not be given honor and formal protocols as he was proclaimed offender and not worthy of such respect. An edict has also been issued declaring him wajib-ul-qatl (deserving to die), he quoted.

Upon which, Barrister Saif lost his temper, going on to call Talal Bugti a stupid man, donkey and accused him of being drunk. While I condemn Talal’s incitement with regard to General Musharraf, I was shocked to hear the language being used by Barrister Saif live on TV for quite a few minutes.

The anchorperson should have stopped Barrister Saif from using slang language what most of the anchorpersons do in such situations. However, he instead permitted Saif to abuse and threatens Talal Bugti.

Saif stated, “We will throw you in a gutter if you come to Islamabad…if you say this again about Musharraf on TV…I will come and get you killed in Quetta”. It was amazing move that after all this, the anchorperson pretended as if nothing had happened, carrying on the show without any regret.

I applaud Baloch leader Lashkari Raisani for his bold stance who left the programme after this dreadful episode. He commented, “It is not acceptable to my values and culture that I sit in such a gathering where people are being abusive. Balochistan has gone too far from you”.

The Baloch are already estranged due to the Punjabi-dominated establishment. After this episode and the media’s apathy to their leaders in public, I am sure more damage has been done to the federation than was possible.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=13283

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 20 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.