South Asia Media Summit
in Islamabad
The two-day South
Asia Media Summit (SAMS) initially scheduled for January was held this month
amid much uncertainty and confusion. The Summit organized by All Pakistan
Newspaper Society (APNS) was graced by Prime Minister Raja Ashraf, despite his
hectic schedule.
The delight
was presence of Indian media tycoons, who managed to finally reach Islamabad,
despite fog and closed roads. The summit was scheduled to take place last month
but had to be cancelled due to sits in called by Tahir-ul-Qadri and those
protesting against genocide of Hazaras in twin attacks in Quetta a few days in
January in which around 100 Shias were killed.
Organizers of the Summit once
gain faced similar situation but finally emerged successful. The blast on 16th
February killed another 100 Hazaras which once again led to sits in various
cities, especially in Quetta where mourners refused to bury the killed unless
their demands were met.
The SAMS
aimed at dwelling upon challenges faced by main stream media in the emerging
situation, due to enormous growth of digital and social media. One of the
reasons is that mainstream media still suffers due to ‘policies’ either
determined by the media owners or by the government.
In a rather suffocated
environment digital and social media has emerged as safety valve. However,
often issue of credibility arises, mainly because of armature handling and
inexperience.The digital and social
media still suffers from resource constraints and at times it has to also rely on
main stream media.
It is
believed that while there may be certain lessons for the main stream media, the
difference in the mindset of Pakistani and Indian media owners and
professionals often creates highly undesirable situations. Though, a lot of
efforts are being made under ‘Aman ki Asha’ the ongoing process is often
derailed on the smallest pretext, the latest being tension at LoC.
It is often
that to reduce the tension between the two countries their economic interest
should be integrated. There are two opinions; first that Pakistan gives MFN
status to India that will pave way for the resolution of Kashmir issue, second
that trade should not be allowed until resolution of Kashmir.
However, it is
often said that media becomes subservient to hawks present on both sides of
border. If Pakistani hawks insist on not granting MFN status to India, it is
the reaction to the demand of Indian hawks who say’ “We will not allow another
division of India on the basis of religion.
Though,
India often blames Pakistan for providing safe sanctuaries for militants and
cross border terrorism, similar allegations are also made by Pakistan. This
statement of aggression mainly emerges because hawks present on both sides of
borders often emerge stronger than the government. This attitude becomes too obvious
when Indian channels initiate a campaign against Pakistan, which also try to
respond in the similar manner.
India has
emerged as ‘Big Brother’ in SAARC as many of its endeavors aim at proving
itself a regional super power. While it is true that enormous size of India
gives it the reasons to claim this position, at times it is felt that the
United States is trying to create its own hegemony in South Asia by supporting
India.
This
perception gets come credence when one looks at the involvement of India in the
construction of Chabahar port in Iran and rail and road links connecting the
port to Central Asia via Afghanistan. While there is enormous pressure of
United Sates on Pakistan not to buy Iranian gas, India has not been stopped
from undertaking this billions of dollar investment in Iran, enduring economic
sanctions for more than three decades.
It is true
that geo politics often drives foreign policy and economic agenda of India and
Pakistan but carrying a huge load of unresolved issues will not allow the two
neighbors ‑ now atomic powers ‑ to benefit from the strengths of each other.
Unless the prevailing mindset is not changed ‘Aman ki Asha’ will remain a far
cry.
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