News Channel has never been a profitable venture anywhere in the world so Pakistan is no exception. BBC, CNN, Sky, NBC all are recipients of public funding allocated in their budget in black and white.
In US population is 300 million and news channels are only three. In Pakistan, population is less than 200 million and news channels are 27 (operational). Is this equation justifiable?
Isn't this move to create chaos?
US is openly funding these channels under the Media Bill passed in 2004.
The rates are as follows:
National language channel $ 24 million
Regional language Channels $ 28 million (For creating more regional thinking and myopic approach;) and
English news channel $ 18 million (to discourage from entering into international arena).
So the enterprises are receiving these amounts directly other than special assignments. Like MSR received $ 500 million for getting open the Pak India Trade. And Dr Shahid Masood tried to digest $ 16 million for giving air times to Jews and Christians on Pakistan media and later the distribution of these funds ended up in ending his job with ARY.
Therefore lust of money is there but one should keep in mind that who is waving the strings from back.
(The above-mentioned) information is according to an unofficial source, whose credibility is yet to be ascertained. )
Saturday, October 17
Tuesday, September 8
Maheen Usmani…. She is not a quitter
A television channel is still facing the heat of being bad to a journalist, who knows how to express herself.
In yet another communiqué to all, she has gone harder on the television administration, and it can be hoped that she will continue her struggle.
Bravo! The lady!
Following is another letter written to all…including those behind her exit from the organisation.
Dear All,
Is there any justice in this benighted country? What is the fate of the National Press Club’s enquiry into the sexual harassment charges against Mr Yousuf Beg Mirza, Managing Director, Dunya News? I had high hopes from these senior and independent journalists after I gave my testimony in this case more than two months ago. But it seems that giving a verdict is beyond their capabilities.
Mr Mirza has been declaring to all and sundry that there is no truth to the sexual harassment charges because it was “only one” phone call. May I remind him that after my shut up call and him being put on the mat in Lahore in response to my complaint, and his subsequent offer to apologise, there was no way Yousuf Beg Mirza would have dared to make that second call. Not being a quitter, I decided to ignore this incident and put it behind me, but was unable to do so because of the MD’s constant efforts to sabotage my report and harm my programme, and destroy my career. It was after this constant harassment over a month’s time that I decided to leave Dunya News in protest.
After decades of censorship and draconian laws, we finally have what appears to be a no holds barred, vibrant and energetic media emerging in Pakistan. Or do we? Appearances can be very deceptive. The media, who term themselves the “watchdogs of our society”, cry themselves hoarse over the prevailing corruption and myriad injustices. But what happens to the very same journalists when their rights are trampled over time and again by the unholy nexus of noveau riche channel owners and senior journalists who have piggy backed onto senior management positions? Nowadays, we are inundated with the 24/7 coverage of sugar cartels, but why are no voices raised when the cartel of channel owners and journalists-turned-managers ruthlessly exploit their employees?
Dunya News recently fired senior and competent employees without any rhyme or reason just because their new Executive Director wanted to accommodate his own sidekicks. As if their sudden termination was not humiliating enough, notices were put up outside the office banning their entry. These ‘ex employees’ of Dunya News have still not been given their termination letters which means that they are still on the payroll of the channel. Whether Dunya News coughs up their salaries and dues is debatable, because they are known for contractual irregularities and pocketing salaries of anyone who has left the organization. Undoubtedly, Dunya News is living up to it’s slogan of “Dunya Tez Hai’ and is setting new benchmarks in the exploitation and humiliation of workers. But such is the power of money, influence, politics and connections that the majority of journalists, who profess themselves to be the custodians of truth and morality in our society, are in fact aiding and abetting such unprofessional activities by their deafening silence.
May I ask what exactly is the purpose and function of journalists’ organizations who claim to protect the rights of workers? What have they done to stop the ruthless slaughtering of journalists in the electronic media organizations? What sensitivity have they shown in my case? What steps have they taken to create awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace? Instead, I have been disgusted by their coarse comments and partiality towards Mr Yousuf Beg Mirza, despite his notorious track record. How many of these journalists’ organizations have ever protested to channel owners about arbitrary dismissals of employees and contractual irregularities?
They are ever ready to hold up a mirror to society, but do journalists ever look into that mirror themselves? Why is it that no newspaper or channel in Pakistan is ready to expose corruption or malpractices within their own industry? If it's a matter of 'you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours', then why the brouhaha about the shenanigans and misdeeds of politicians or lawyers or doctors? Are the owners and senior management of the Fourth Estate any better than these transgressors? Why is it that the insidious corruption and shady deals within our own field reduces the full throated roars of journalists to mere squeaks? Mice or men? You decide.
Despite offers from leading channels, I have decided to take an extended break from the stimulating and fascinating world of electronic media, due to the influx of unsavoury characters and the ever increasing levels of hypocrisy and sycophancy which is difficult for any professional journalist to digest. Although I have been denied justice so far, I will continue to work to spread awareness about harassment in the workplace, and support the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Bill which will put offenders behind bars for 3 years. I do not regret the stand I took against one such offender, despite all the setbacks and the lack of concrete support from journalists’ organizations. My speaking out will not be in vain if it forces sleazy head honchos to think twice before targeting any female journalist in the future.
Maheen Usman
In yet another communiqué to all, she has gone harder on the television administration, and it can be hoped that she will continue her struggle.
Bravo! The lady!
Following is another letter written to all…including those behind her exit from the organisation.
Dear All,
Is there any justice in this benighted country? What is the fate of the National Press Club’s enquiry into the sexual harassment charges against Mr Yousuf Beg Mirza, Managing Director, Dunya News? I had high hopes from these senior and independent journalists after I gave my testimony in this case more than two months ago. But it seems that giving a verdict is beyond their capabilities.
Mr Mirza has been declaring to all and sundry that there is no truth to the sexual harassment charges because it was “only one” phone call. May I remind him that after my shut up call and him being put on the mat in Lahore in response to my complaint, and his subsequent offer to apologise, there was no way Yousuf Beg Mirza would have dared to make that second call. Not being a quitter, I decided to ignore this incident and put it behind me, but was unable to do so because of the MD’s constant efforts to sabotage my report and harm my programme, and destroy my career. It was after this constant harassment over a month’s time that I decided to leave Dunya News in protest.
After decades of censorship and draconian laws, we finally have what appears to be a no holds barred, vibrant and energetic media emerging in Pakistan. Or do we? Appearances can be very deceptive. The media, who term themselves the “watchdogs of our society”, cry themselves hoarse over the prevailing corruption and myriad injustices. But what happens to the very same journalists when their rights are trampled over time and again by the unholy nexus of noveau riche channel owners and senior journalists who have piggy backed onto senior management positions? Nowadays, we are inundated with the 24/7 coverage of sugar cartels, but why are no voices raised when the cartel of channel owners and journalists-turned-managers ruthlessly exploit their employees?
Dunya News recently fired senior and competent employees without any rhyme or reason just because their new Executive Director wanted to accommodate his own sidekicks. As if their sudden termination was not humiliating enough, notices were put up outside the office banning their entry. These ‘ex employees’ of Dunya News have still not been given their termination letters which means that they are still on the payroll of the channel. Whether Dunya News coughs up their salaries and dues is debatable, because they are known for contractual irregularities and pocketing salaries of anyone who has left the organization. Undoubtedly, Dunya News is living up to it’s slogan of “Dunya Tez Hai’ and is setting new benchmarks in the exploitation and humiliation of workers. But such is the power of money, influence, politics and connections that the majority of journalists, who profess themselves to be the custodians of truth and morality in our society, are in fact aiding and abetting such unprofessional activities by their deafening silence.
May I ask what exactly is the purpose and function of journalists’ organizations who claim to protect the rights of workers? What have they done to stop the ruthless slaughtering of journalists in the electronic media organizations? What sensitivity have they shown in my case? What steps have they taken to create awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace? Instead, I have been disgusted by their coarse comments and partiality towards Mr Yousuf Beg Mirza, despite his notorious track record. How many of these journalists’ organizations have ever protested to channel owners about arbitrary dismissals of employees and contractual irregularities?
They are ever ready to hold up a mirror to society, but do journalists ever look into that mirror themselves? Why is it that no newspaper or channel in Pakistan is ready to expose corruption or malpractices within their own industry? If it's a matter of 'you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours', then why the brouhaha about the shenanigans and misdeeds of politicians or lawyers or doctors? Are the owners and senior management of the Fourth Estate any better than these transgressors? Why is it that the insidious corruption and shady deals within our own field reduces the full throated roars of journalists to mere squeaks? Mice or men? You decide.
Despite offers from leading channels, I have decided to take an extended break from the stimulating and fascinating world of electronic media, due to the influx of unsavoury characters and the ever increasing levels of hypocrisy and sycophancy which is difficult for any professional journalist to digest. Although I have been denied justice so far, I will continue to work to spread awareness about harassment in the workplace, and support the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Bill which will put offenders behind bars for 3 years. I do not regret the stand I took against one such offender, despite all the setbacks and the lack of concrete support from journalists’ organizations. My speaking out will not be in vain if it forces sleazy head honchos to think twice before targeting any female journalist in the future.
Maheen Usman
Saturday, August 29
Corrupt of all… politicians, generals and others
Corruption is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social development. It is because of greed of money doled out by Hindu-Zionist cabal that there is insurgency and terrorism in the FATA and Balochistan. The abuse of political power for private gain deprives the most needy of vital public services, creating a level of despair that breed conflict and violence.
Nawaz Sharif, Altaf Hussain, Abida Hussain, Jama’at-e-Islami and several other politicians were paid by the ISI to defeat PPP in elections according to an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by the retired General Durrani, the then ISI boss. The case is still lying pending in the SC for over 10 years.
Naseer Ullah Babar, had disclosed in the National Assembly in 1994 how the ISI had disbursed funds to purchase the loyalty of politicians and public figures so as to manipulate the 1990 elections, form the IJI, and bring about the defeat of the PPP.
Have all our generals been upright men and played it right? Of course, yes! Otherwise would they have ended up the way they did? Ziaul Haq? Governor, General Fazl-e-Haq? How about dubious politician, General Aslam Beg, Lt General Javed Ashraf Kazi first chief of the MI and then of the ISI, Nawaz's ISI chief, General Javed Nasir, sacked by General Waheed Kakar, General Asad Durrani of MI and ISI fame, summarily sacked by General Kakar, rewarded and re-employed by Benazir as her ambassador in Bonn, and dangerous politician, the firebrand fundo General Hamid Gul.
In 1996, Air Marshal Asghar Khan filed a human rights petition in the Supreme Court against General Mirza Aslam Beg, former chief of army staff, Lt General Asad Durrani, former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence, and Younus Habib of Habib Bank and then Mehran Bank, concerning the criminal distribution of the people's money for political purposes (HRC 19/96). In this case, Lt General Naseer Ullah Babar filed an affidavit in court supported by copies of various documents and a photocopy of a letter dated June 7, 1994, addressed by Durrani to the then prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, who, during her second term in office, appointed him as her ambassador to Germany.
On April 25, 1994, [Daily Dawn] carried an editorial entitled 'Our secret godfathers', which opened up: "Two basic points emerge from General Aslam Beg's admission that in 1990 he took Rs 140 million from the banker Younus Habib and that part of this money was spent by the ISI during the elections that year . . . . . ".
And closed, saying ". . . it is time now for some sort of check on the rogue political activities of our intelligence agencies . . .". It was not time, and apparently it is still not time.
Those who took money: The recipients included Khar 2 million, Hafeez Pirzada 3 million, Sarwar Cheema 0.5 million, Mairaj Khalid 0.2 million, Rs 5,05,680" (advocate Mirza Adil Beg (Aslam Beg's nephew, the then president of the KBA, confirms that the KBA received the money).
In January 1992 $ 20,000 was sold @ 26.50 and 5,30,000 was credited to the account. Thereafter all debits: "Arshi c/o Gen. Baig (sic.) 2,90,000; Cash paid to Gen. Sahab 2,40,000; Cash Friends 1,00,000 [Aslam Beg's organisation, FRIENDS, Foundation for Research on National Development and Security]; Cash TT to Yamin to pay Gen. Sahab 3,00,000; Cash TT to Yamin Habib 12,00,000; Cash Friends 1,00,000; Cash Friends 1,00,000; Cash paid through YH 10,00,000; Cash Friends TT to Salim Khan 2,00,000; Cash 1,00,000; Cash Towards Friends 5,00,000; Cash Asif Shah for Bungalow 35,000; Cash Friends 1,00,000; Cash Friends 1,00,000; Cash TT through Yamin for Friends 1,00.000 ; Cash paid to Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim 2,00,000 [he confirms having received the money from General Beg as fees and expenses for defending him in the contempt of court charge brought against him - PLD 1993 SC310] ; Cash paid through TT to Yamin for Friends ; Cash paid to Fakhruddin G Ebrahim 1,28,640 [he confirms receipt for fees/expenses for contempt case]; Cash Guards at 11-A 10,500 ; Cash TT for USD 240,000 Favour Riaz Malik to City Bank (sic.) New York 68,76,000; Cash Friends 1,00,000; Cash Guards at 11-A 10,500; Cash Major Kiyani 10,000; Cash mobile phone for Col. Mashhadi 28,911; Cash TT favour Qazi Iqbal and M Guddul 3,00,000; Cash Mjr. Kiyani 10,000; Cash TT to Peshawar 3,00,000; Cash deposited at Karachi A/C EC [Election Commission] 3,00,000; Cash Guards 24,000; Cash TT to Quetta 7,00,000; Cash mobile bill of Col. Mashadi 3,237; Cash TT to Peshawar Br. 4,00,000; Cash deposited at Karachi Br. 4,00,000; Cash Guards 11,520; Cash TT to Peshawar for EC 2,00,000; Cash TT to Quetta for EC 2,00,000 ; Cash Guards 5,760 ; Cash Mjr.Kiyani 5,000 ; Cash A/C Guards 8,640; Cash th. YH 2,00,000; Cash A/C Guards 5,760; Cash TT to Salim Khan 1,00,000."
Nawaz Sharif received (in rupees) 3.5 million, Lt General Rafaqat [GIK's election cell] 5.6 million, Mir Afzal 10 million, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi 5 million, Jam Sadiq Ali 5 million, Mohammed Khan Junejo 2.5 million, Pir Pagaro 2 million, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada 3 million, Yusuf Haroon 5 million [he confirms having received this for Altaf Hussain of the MQM], Muzaffar Hussain Shah 0.3 million, Abida Hussain 1 million, Humayun Marri 5.4 million. Jama’at-i-Islami Rs 5 million, Altaf Hussain Qureshi and Mustafa Sadiq Rs 0.5 million, Arbab Ghulam Aftab Rs 0.3 million, Pir Noor Mohammad Shah Rs 0.3 million, Arbab Faiz Mohammad Rs 0.3 million, Arbab Ghulam Habib Rs 0.2 million, Ismail Rahu Rs 0.2 million, Liaqat Baloch Rs 1.5 million, Jam Yusuf Rs 0.75 million, Nadir Magsi Rs 1 million, Ghulam Ali Nizamani Rs 0.3 million, Ali Akbar Nizamani Rs 0.3 million. General Mirza Aslam Beg Rs 140 million; Jam Sadiq Ali (the then chief minister of Sindh) Rs 70 million; Altaf Hussain (MQM) Rs 20 million, Advocate Yousaf Memon (for disbursement to Javed Hashmi, MNA, and others) Rs.50 million; 1992 - Jam Sadiq Ali Rs 150 million; 1993 - Liaqat Jatoi Rs .01 million; 1993 - chief minister of Sindh, through Imtiaz Sheikh Rs 12 million; Afaq of the MQM (Haqiqi) Rs 0.5 million; 1993 chief minister of Sindh, through Imtiaz Sheikh, Rs. 01.million; 1993 –Ajmal Khan, a former federal minister, Rs 1.4 million; 1993 - Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister, Rs 3.5 million; 27/9/93 Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister, Rs 2.5 million; 26/9/93 Jam Mashooq Rs 0.5 million; 26/9/93 Dost Mohammad Faizi Rs 1 million; Jam Haider Rs 2 million; Jam Mashooq Rs 3 million; Adnan, son of Sartaj Aziz, Rs 1 million; Nawaz Sharif and Ittefaq Group of Companies Rs 200 million; Sardar Farooq Leghari 12/12/93 (payment set/off) Rs 30 million - 6/1/94 Rs 2.0856million - 19/3/94 Rs 1.92 million.
Barack Obama on phone!
On seeing this picture, many things strike the mind.... whatever way the most powerful man of the world, holds the receiver of the telephone, he is listened. Secondly, he hates listening and talks to others through his ears. Thirdly, he is too busy to see that how is he holding the receiver. Fourthly, computer trick used to tell the world that the American President does not know how to attend to calls. Fifthly.... you better know!
Tuesday, August 25
Maheen Usmani still fighting for her right
Again Maheen Usmani has come to the fore, while taking to task another lady, who is already in troubled waters due to her alleged rapport with the agencies, Naseem Zahra because of latter's somersaults for saving the already-tainted skin of the television administration. Succinctly, the dust is not settling yet, though many think it otherwise.
Ms Usmani has written another letter to all re-explaining her position and calling a spade a spade despite all odd circumstances.
Here is the letter:-
Dear All,
This is not the first time that Naseem Zehra has surfaced on this site regarding the harassment I had to face at Dunya News. I chose to resign rather than respond to the nauseating overtures made by the MD, Yousuf Beg Mirza. In doing so, I did not ask for anything except an apology from the MD for abusing his position and authority.
Since my resignation, I have been subjected to a continuous hostile campaign of defamation. All kinds of vile and repulsive propoganda has been unleashed at me just because I have chosen not to compromise, and give in to unprofessional and unethical conduct which unfortunately seems to be the norm in the electronic media. I have been very committed to my work, but I would always choose my integrity and principles over fame and success if I had to pay such a heavy price for it. Perhaps the 'gentleman' in question has found it hard to deal with a woman who has no qualms about stating the truth. Despite all the filth that has been heaped on my head, I had consciously chosen not to stoop to the level of the management at Dunya News, with whom I have had the misfortune of working with. However, the latest salvo from Ms. Naseem Zehra has made it imperative for me to break my silence, because such people need to be stopped in their tracks without any further ado.
Who is Naseem Zehra? A struggling programme host who is employed by Dunya News? What does she have to do with this case of harassment? The eagerness she has displayed in coming to the aid of the Dunya management and being their mouthpiece time and again is indeed amusing, and greatly at variance with her carefully cultivated image of espousing the cause of the emancipation of women and the oppressed. In her alacrity to jump to the defence of the Dunya management yet again, she has chosen to be economical with the truth. She says, "The opening up of a settled matter serves no purpose. Many on this list may be aware that the inquiry conducted within Dunya News and also externally came to the conclusion that the allegation made regarding sexual harassment was baseless." The truth of the matter is that the Dunya News' internal inquiry was merely a face saving exercise which is why it comprised of junior employees of such departments as IT and Operations from Lahore. My repeated requests to have impartial and independent minded people in the committee, which was supported by the International Federation of Journalists, was not heeded to by Dunya News. Naturally, the internal 'inquiry' did not come to any conclusion and sank without a trace. As far as the external inquiry is concerned, the National Press Club has been unable to give a verdict because Yousuf Beg Mirza appears reluctant to appear before them, for reasons best known to him. Since neither of the two enquiries has given a verdict so far, how can Naseem Zehra declare pompously that the allegations are 'baseless' or that the matter is 'settled?'
Why has Naseem Zehra conveniently forgotten to mention that initially she was the Convenor of the internal inquiry set up by Dunya News? She had the audacity to write a letter after I resigned, asking for a ban on my entry into the Islamabad office of Dunya News for the purpose of the enquiry. Ms Zehra asked all the employees to sign this letter, because I had "hurt the sentiments of the Dunya team" by levelling these alleagations against their paragon of virtue, YBM. The drivers, guards, peons, electricians et al were forced to sign the letter by the administration, and then a Current Affairs producer, working under Naseem Zehra, took it into the newsroom where the first person to happily affix his signature was none other than our honourable Bureau Chief, Mr. Rao Khalid. However, Ms Zehra's plans were thwarted when many of my former colleagues refused to sign the letter and started questioning why my entry should be banned in office. On seeing the dissent and uncompromising mood of the reporters, the letter and it's bearer beat a hasty retreat. After this unsavoury incident which showed the real face of Naseem Zehra and the Dunya management, I wrote a letter to the HR, Dunya News, protesting at this malicious and underhanded action of Naseem Zehra's and asked that how could she be the Convenor of this inquiry when she was trying her best to pressurise and subdue me? Eventually, Ms Zehra had to withdraw from the committee.
While the enquiry was being conducted, Naseem Zehra wrote a letter to the PFUJ stating that this case of harassment was based "on only one phone call". May I request her to kindly add to her reservoir of knowledge by googling the term 'sexual harassment' to know exactly what it means. I don't know how many phone calls from unsavoury characters it takes for Naseem Zehra to cry wolf, but for me one was quite enough, thank you very much. Hearing the MD offering me financial reimbursements and asking me to go to another room "takay aap mujh say khul kay baat kar sakain.." made me furious. Why should any female journalist take this kind of crap, just because the man happens to be in a senior position?
I am aware that many female journalists choose to remain silent in the face of sexual harassment, because they have little choice in the matter which has emboldened such unsavoury characters to spread their wings in the media. I hope that their mouthpieces and agents realise that the time has come to bring about a positive change in our field, and to eradicate or minimise the role of such people who have reached their exalted positions by toadying up to those in power and currying favours.
Maheen Usmani
Ms Usmani has written another letter to all re-explaining her position and calling a spade a spade despite all odd circumstances.
Here is the letter:-
Dear All,
This is not the first time that Naseem Zehra has surfaced on this site regarding the harassment I had to face at Dunya News. I chose to resign rather than respond to the nauseating overtures made by the MD, Yousuf Beg Mirza. In doing so, I did not ask for anything except an apology from the MD for abusing his position and authority.
Since my resignation, I have been subjected to a continuous hostile campaign of defamation. All kinds of vile and repulsive propoganda has been unleashed at me just because I have chosen not to compromise, and give in to unprofessional and unethical conduct which unfortunately seems to be the norm in the electronic media. I have been very committed to my work, but I would always choose my integrity and principles over fame and success if I had to pay such a heavy price for it. Perhaps the 'gentleman' in question has found it hard to deal with a woman who has no qualms about stating the truth. Despite all the filth that has been heaped on my head, I had consciously chosen not to stoop to the level of the management at Dunya News, with whom I have had the misfortune of working with. However, the latest salvo from Ms. Naseem Zehra has made it imperative for me to break my silence, because such people need to be stopped in their tracks without any further ado.
Who is Naseem Zehra? A struggling programme host who is employed by Dunya News? What does she have to do with this case of harassment? The eagerness she has displayed in coming to the aid of the Dunya management and being their mouthpiece time and again is indeed amusing, and greatly at variance with her carefully cultivated image of espousing the cause of the emancipation of women and the oppressed. In her alacrity to jump to the defence of the Dunya management yet again, she has chosen to be economical with the truth. She says, "The opening up of a settled matter serves no purpose. Many on this list may be aware that the inquiry conducted within Dunya News and also externally came to the conclusion that the allegation made regarding sexual harassment was baseless." The truth of the matter is that the Dunya News' internal inquiry was merely a face saving exercise which is why it comprised of junior employees of such departments as IT and Operations from Lahore. My repeated requests to have impartial and independent minded people in the committee, which was supported by the International Federation of Journalists, was not heeded to by Dunya News. Naturally, the internal 'inquiry' did not come to any conclusion and sank without a trace. As far as the external inquiry is concerned, the National Press Club has been unable to give a verdict because Yousuf Beg Mirza appears reluctant to appear before them, for reasons best known to him. Since neither of the two enquiries has given a verdict so far, how can Naseem Zehra declare pompously that the allegations are 'baseless' or that the matter is 'settled?'
Why has Naseem Zehra conveniently forgotten to mention that initially she was the Convenor of the internal inquiry set up by Dunya News? She had the audacity to write a letter after I resigned, asking for a ban on my entry into the Islamabad office of Dunya News for the purpose of the enquiry. Ms Zehra asked all the employees to sign this letter, because I had "hurt the sentiments of the Dunya team" by levelling these alleagations against their paragon of virtue, YBM. The drivers, guards, peons, electricians et al were forced to sign the letter by the administration, and then a Current Affairs producer, working under Naseem Zehra, took it into the newsroom where the first person to happily affix his signature was none other than our honourable Bureau Chief, Mr. Rao Khalid. However, Ms Zehra's plans were thwarted when many of my former colleagues refused to sign the letter and started questioning why my entry should be banned in office. On seeing the dissent and uncompromising mood of the reporters, the letter and it's bearer beat a hasty retreat. After this unsavoury incident which showed the real face of Naseem Zehra and the Dunya management, I wrote a letter to the HR, Dunya News, protesting at this malicious and underhanded action of Naseem Zehra's and asked that how could she be the Convenor of this inquiry when she was trying her best to pressurise and subdue me? Eventually, Ms Zehra had to withdraw from the committee.
While the enquiry was being conducted, Naseem Zehra wrote a letter to the PFUJ stating that this case of harassment was based "on only one phone call". May I request her to kindly add to her reservoir of knowledge by googling the term 'sexual harassment' to know exactly what it means. I don't know how many phone calls from unsavoury characters it takes for Naseem Zehra to cry wolf, but for me one was quite enough, thank you very much. Hearing the MD offering me financial reimbursements and asking me to go to another room "takay aap mujh say khul kay baat kar sakain.." made me furious. Why should any female journalist take this kind of crap, just because the man happens to be in a senior position?
I am aware that many female journalists choose to remain silent in the face of sexual harassment, because they have little choice in the matter which has emboldened such unsavoury characters to spread their wings in the media. I hope that their mouthpieces and agents realise that the time has come to bring about a positive change in our field, and to eradicate or minimise the role of such people who have reached their exalted positions by toadying up to those in power and currying favours.
Maheen Usmani
Saturday, August 22
Price-hike at Ramzan's onset...what a shame?
Ramzan is considered to be the holiest of all the months in Islam, but in this part of the world – Pakistan, which is considered to be the land of the pure – traders, mill-owners, illegal profiteers and hoarders indulge in all sorts of illegal activities, which virtually make it impossible for the people to buy commodities at the previous prices, which are a routine matter otherwise.
What a shame when we see this happening in Ramzan!
Can't they act more religiously and morally by reducing prices, especially since the businessmen have already earned during other months?
What a shame when we see this happening in Ramzan!
Can't they act more religiously and morally by reducing prices, especially since the businessmen have already earned during other months?
Friday, August 21
Is it so?
Another writer-turned-journalist has been labelled as an Inter-Services Intelligence agent! It is always painful to see such things happening in this country that people are stigmatised and tagged by aligning them to various 'groups'. (Click to see enlarged image)
Judgment is all yours!
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