Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally applied to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to act against TV Channel24HD which hosts the “Najam Sethi Show” for airing a statement that allegedly defames him. PEMRA has promptly fired off a notice to Channel24HD to immediately appear before its Complaints Committee and defend itself, failing which it threatens to take an “ex parte” decision against the channel and host of the show. Simultaneously, mysterious phone calls from “unknown” numbers have been made to cable operators across the country to block Channel24HD. PTCL Broadband, the semi-official carrier, has dutifully complied. Indeed, as things stand, Channel24HD is off-air in over 90 percent of Pakistan.
To be sure, the channel’s management is expected to put up a robust defense of its rights. Certainly, no public figure, least of all a prime minister, can claim that his or her “private affairs” are out of the scope of public scrutiny and accountability, especially if they impinge on questions of ethics, morality, integrity, character or matters of government and state as covered by Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Indeed, scores of politicians, public figures and celebrities across the world are everyday investigated by the global media for “private” transgressions of the public interest and many have lost their jobs in the bargain.
The PTI government is becoming increasingly authoritarian in its quest to stifle dissent. This is in direct proportion to a rising tide of popular angst at its dismal performance in the last eight months in office. Unfortunately, some “pillars” of the state and society, including many sections of the media, are so in awe of the cult of Imran Khan that they cannot bring themselves to chastise some of his unacceptable behavioral traits. Some have a vested interest in propping him up for one reason or another.
Nine months ago, we were apprehensive, for a host of reasons, that the coming PTI government would make a mess of things. [welcome-to-new-pakistan/]. This is what we said.
The PTI would restrict fundamental rights and pave the way for a witch hunt of political and media opponents in order to satisfy the bloodlust of the winners, protect them from any potential buffeting by a disgruntled opposition and detract criticism from unpopular policy decisions or incompetent and corrupt mismanagement. If that happens, we should expect NAB, FIA, FBR and IB to get hyper active after all state institutions are brought on the same page…The constitution may also be targeted for amendment. The 18th Amendment, for starters, has become irksome because it shaves the federal pool — which is required to pay for increasing defense expenditures and pensions— by devolving financial resources to the provinces. A need may also be felt to reduce the size and strength of Punjab in the scheme of things…Plans remain on the anvil to carve it up into three or more ‘units’ that are politically more ‘manageable’… But the ‘new dream team’ that is lining up to run the ‘new Pakistan’ will not find it easy going. The economy needs more than a shot in the arm. Hard times are upon us and the very middle-classes and rich that have catapulted Imran Khan to office will have to pay the price of their convictions. The value of their rupee is going to fall, so their everyday needs will become expensive; they will have to pay more indirect taxes and duties; and IMF structural reforms will dampen infrastructural growth and employment. This will give grist to the opposition, media and judiciary to stand up and create hurdles in his path.
Much of what we predicted is already evident. But if the opposition, media and judiciary have not yet banded together to challenge Imran Khan, it is only a matter of time before they do. The more the PTI government falters and takes one U-Turn after another, the more it will be discredited. Popular disenchantment with it is being rapidly converted into outrage.
The economic outlook is dismal. GDP growth is expected to fall to 3%; at least 4 million people will fall below the poverty line; inflation is forecast to rise to 15 per cent; out of the 1.8 million youngsters coming into the job market, at least 1 million will remain jobless. And so on.
Worse, the PTI is riven with bitter internal divisions. Stalwarts FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Jehangir Khan Tareen (JKT) are slugging it out in the open; MOI Fawad Chaudhry is blasting away at the MD PTV who is protected by a cabal close to the PM; and there is a subterranean battle underway among JKT, MOF Asad Umar and MOC Razzak Dawood. Ex-ATM Aleem Khan is bitter, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar is sulking and ex-CM KP Pervez Khattak is simmering. Ominously, the Miltablishment is beginning to wonder whether all its eggs are safe in IK’s basket.
A single spark can light a prairie fire.
To be sure, the channel’s management is expected to put up a robust defense of its rights. Certainly, no public figure, least of all a prime minister, can claim that his or her “private affairs” are out of the scope of public scrutiny and accountability, especially if they impinge on questions of ethics, morality, integrity, character or matters of government and state as covered by Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Indeed, scores of politicians, public figures and celebrities across the world are everyday investigated by the global media for “private” transgressions of the public interest and many have lost their jobs in the bargain.
The PTI government is becoming increasingly authoritarian in its quest to stifle dissent. This is in direct proportion to a rising tide of popular angst at its dismal performance in the last eight months in office. Unfortunately, some “pillars” of the state and society, including many sections of the media, are so in awe of the cult of Imran Khan that they cannot bring themselves to chastise some of his unacceptable behavioral traits. Some have a vested interest in propping him up for one reason or another.
Nine months ago, we were apprehensive, for a host of reasons, that the coming PTI government would make a mess of things. [welcome-to-new-pakistan/]. This is what we said.
The PTI would restrict fundamental rights and pave the way for a witch hunt of political and media opponents in order to satisfy the bloodlust of the winners, protect them from any potential buffeting by a disgruntled opposition and detract criticism from unpopular policy decisions or incompetent and corrupt mismanagement. If that happens, we should expect NAB, FIA, FBR and IB to get hyper active after all state institutions are brought on the same page…The constitution may also be targeted for amendment. The 18th Amendment, for starters, has become irksome because it shaves the federal pool — which is required to pay for increasing defense expenditures and pensions— by devolving financial resources to the provinces. A need may also be felt to reduce the size and strength of Punjab in the scheme of things…Plans remain on the anvil to carve it up into three or more ‘units’ that are politically more ‘manageable’… But the ‘new dream team’ that is lining up to run the ‘new Pakistan’ will not find it easy going. The economy needs more than a shot in the arm. Hard times are upon us and the very middle-classes and rich that have catapulted Imran Khan to office will have to pay the price of their convictions. The value of their rupee is going to fall, so their everyday needs will become expensive; they will have to pay more indirect taxes and duties; and IMF structural reforms will dampen infrastructural growth and employment. This will give grist to the opposition, media and judiciary to stand up and create hurdles in his path.
Much of what we predicted is already evident. But if the opposition, media and judiciary have not yet banded together to challenge Imran Khan, it is only a matter of time before they do. The more the PTI government falters and takes one U-Turn after another, the more it will be discredited. Popular disenchantment with it is being rapidly converted into outrage.
The economic outlook is dismal. GDP growth is expected to fall to 3%; at least 4 million people will fall below the poverty line; inflation is forecast to rise to 15 per cent; out of the 1.8 million youngsters coming into the job market, at least 1 million will remain jobless. And so on.
Worse, the PTI is riven with bitter internal divisions. Stalwarts FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Jehangir Khan Tareen (JKT) are slugging it out in the open; MOI Fawad Chaudhry is blasting away at the MD PTV who is protected by a cabal close to the PM; and there is a subterranean battle underway among JKT, MOF Asad Umar and MOC Razzak Dawood. Ex-ATM Aleem Khan is bitter, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar is sulking and ex-CM KP Pervez Khattak is simmering. Ominously, the Miltablishment is beginning to wonder whether all its eggs are safe in IK’s basket.
A single spark can light a prairie fire.