Mushi Mushi

There is an inherent beauty in the chaos that perennially engulfs Pakistan and its perceived state of affairs. Currently residing in South Africa, and having previously completed a stint as a media strategist in Islamabad, I find it impossible to not comment on the disproportionate amount of media coverage our nation receives internationally, albeit for all the wrong reasons. I guess that is the price that any ”strategically” located country with a population of nearly 150 million has to pay. We need to ask ourselves, however, as to why we supposedly “Proud Pakistanis” choose to exacerbate negative perceptions by continuously highlighting Musharraf’s and the nation's negative aspects. What about the good… does it not warrant a small article too?

Admittedly, Musharraf’s plan is veering off course, and the ground situation is going downhill, but what one is fed through media publications and channels paints a dismal picture that seems more hell bent on self-serving vendettas as opposed to reporting. More often thatn not, it seems like in our quest for the “sensational” and the “awe-inspiring,” we have sadly forgotten the basic doctrines of journalism. The media is not supposed to take sides – its purpose is merely to “inform.” The facts should speak for themselves, and if they don’t, then your facts aren’t all that great. In this context, a news report is more like a piece of art – if the artist (or sculptor, whichever the case may be) actually has to write out an explanation and put it up on a plaque beside the work, then the piece isn’t worth much. So also, if you feel the need to actually go out and explain your report, then the purpose and the meaning is lost. “Activism” is not part of a journalist’s job description. Neutrality is the key that our media unfortunately seems to have lost, and this has apparently been replaced with misplaced priorities.

This is not to say that the legitimacy of a legislative body is not paramount – it is. The rule of law ensures that checks and balances exist to offset the centralization of of the government’s power. But has a court of law NEVER been undermined in this land before. If memory serves me right, our favourite Punjabi pahlwaan did something of the sort as well, back in his day. At the time, however, the media was not as empowered or autonomous as it is now and could not express discontentment. Should this progression in the sector simply be accepted as evolution or should one give credit where credit is due

Since Mushi Mushi took over, the media industry has been spawning bastard children every second day. The number of daily and monthly publications, radio and television stations and even Pakistani-hosted websites have risen dramatically in recent years, begging one to wonder about what drove Mushi Mushi to confront the one sector that he has been most benevolent to.

Over the years, the loosened grip on the media and its subsequent privatisation has resulted in a lot of players entering the market, eager to siphon off profits from the growing number of MNCs who want to communicate with the burgeoning middle class in Pakistan. Put so simply, this seems like a pretty straightforward model that apparently benefits all the players concerned, BUT this simple model was not working until Mushi Mushi came to power. Previously there weren't as many MNC's arriving on our shores due to political instability, a weakened economy and the near non-existent purchasing power of the majority of Pakistanis.

- Before Mushi Mushi the media was gagged to such an extent that Junoon were banned from television stations.
- Before Mushi Mushi there was no one willing to take on the Hudood Ordinance (even if the politicians shot it down).
- Before Mushi Mushi there was no Ali Noor.
- Before Mushi Mushi there was no Expresso Lounge.

If not for Mushi, the beards would have a more pronounced role in the political make-up of the country. After Mushi there is no one with the willpower or the backing to take authoritarian-like measures to sow progress. Enlightened moderation is a catchy coin-phrase that has been lambasted by all near and far, but maybe we should take our cue and practice enlightened criticism. His means might not be correct, but at the end of the day, his heart is in the right place. He might have been tainted by the corruption associated with such a high post, but is the corruption comparable to the millions whisked off by BB or NS?

Despite his domestic problems, Mushi Mushi had done wonders for Pakistan's image abroad. He is affable, relatively well spoken and other than his book-launching episode, has acted with dignity that is at times lacking in other forerunners for political power. I remember turning on the telly during the tumultuous aftermath of THE earthquake to see BB lambasting the nation, the administration and all near and far... I was not around in 1973 or 1961, but, the sincere concern that people had for their brothers in the north was likened by many elders as being a throwback to the years of yore when being Pakistani meant something. It meant that the nation came first. BB spoke to an international audience and chose her time in the spotlight to make sure she discussed Mushi Mushi and what he did wrong as opposed to what could be done. For BB, BB came first. In fact it seems that Pakistan and what it communicates, conveys what is done wrong, as opposed to what is being done. Eager to criticize we all have reservations about how something is being done and vociferously make our displeasure known, but very rarely do we convey what is being done right. Our media fails to make or recognize heroes. WE need heroes. We need hope. We need to know that there is somebody out there doing the right thing. We need to know there is some standard to which we should aspire. Mushi Mushi has a tough job. Lets accept it. Illiteracy, no taxes, beardism, terrorism, geo-political instability and a feudal undertone makes Pakistan a pretty hard country to govern and he is trying…

Nevertheless, in the golden years of mushi-dom: the people were happy, the media sector was making money, politicians were exiled and businesses were ecstatic. Part of the success achieved during those golden years was the harmonious relationship that different sectors (barring the exiled politicians) managed to forge with one another and the ruling party. Those years it seems, are now dead. We are back to our back biting ways, and the general consensus of dissidence seems to be permeating the cities, towns and villages of Pakistan… irrespective of class, education or income. Why? Because of one CJP? Or are we as a nation just not capable of accepting the lesser evil. 'We want democracy!' you say. 'Fuk democracy…I want progress' I say.

PS: im not pro Musharraff...but i honestly dont see any other alternative and that is what scares me...not the eroding power of institutions