The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr. M. S. Haq

One of the programs of Qtv reflecting on, among other things, anti-terror positions of Islam was telecast yesterday - the 26th day of September 2008 - between 1400 hours and 1430 hours, PST. It now appears the timing of the program was determined, in a sense, in an intelligent manner because it took place on the day of Holy Jumatul Wida - the last Friday of Ramadan, this year (2008). The participation of people in the program was apparently in hundreds.

The program was found to be relevant, interesting, constructive, and lesson bearing - given the present day situation and context of terrorism and extremism in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world. Further, the nature, the scope, the content and the usefulness of above program were found to be somewhat in line with the call of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani when it comes to the government's effort towards reminding or educating (or otherwise) people of Pakistan about say, anti-terror stances of Islam.

The learned Islamic scholar - who was the discussant of the program - was found to be successful in not only delivering, in a knowledgeable fashion, relevant messages of Islam to participants of the program and viewers of the program but in explaining to them pertinent verses of Holy Quran in an effective, efficient and user-friendly manner. In an overall sense, the program was a good anti-terror media initiative.

Congratulations! It is expected Qtv will be able to facilitate anti-terror efforts of Pakistan in a more significant and impact-oriented manner than that at present in the days ahead.

The PTV discussion on current affairs last evening - 26th day of September 2008 - hosted by Dr. Huma Baqai (I hope I have been able to spell the name properly) was, in certain ways, interesting, informative and useful. The performances of Ambassador Hilaly and PPP-MNA Mrs. Wahab with regard to the program deserve commendations.

Both of them were apparently more successful than other participants in maintaining their respective focuses on discussion areas - they were found to be more realistic and analytical than others in examining and commenting on existing and evolving situations of terrorism and extremism in for example, Pakistan. Further, the nature, the scope, the critical mass and the outcome potential of their anti-terror suggestions were found to be more relevant, more intelligent and more user-friendly than those of other participants. By the way, Dr. Baqai, the host of the discussion session, was found to be somewhat impatient in certain stages of the session.

The performances of PTV anchor persons Zubaiyer and Nazma Shafique have so far been found to be competitive, among other things.

It now appears to me both of them have got the expertise and the skills needed for packaging their respective programs with elements of maturity, as well as coefficients at for example, program delivery levels.

Coefficients are used in inter alia mathematical expressions for the purpose of smoothening equations. Well done. One thing: it is expected they will, from now onwards, step up further the effort towards immunization of their respective programs from unnecessary political rhetoric by certain discussants from political parties.

The diversity, the content and the timeliness of news telecast by Geo at different hours of the day have so far been found to be competitive - in an average sense. Further, attempts by Geo towards presenting - before for example, the viewers and policy makers - pains and sufferings of say, poor people of Pakistan via certain pro-people programs are, among other things, praise-worthy.

The programs on life and living of families affected by terrorist attacks in Pakistan are among the programs mentioned above. It will not, however, be out of place to mention here: Geo should make further efforts towards making certain discussion programs more civil than that at present so that they could act as more effective and more efficient antidotes than that at present to the present day emotionally (used in a negative sense) charged Pakistan.

The last word: Pakistan needs to attract, harness, sustain and promote - at present and inter alia - additional media (print, electronic, others) support for complementing and supplementing its effort towards winning the war on terror within the shortest possible time and cost - time means cost, though.