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    HOW MEDIA IS CHANGING THE PAKISTANI LANDSCAPE

    Written by: Fahd Husain
    Posted on: March 30, 2013 | | 中文

    The last decade has seen an unprecedented growth in the media industry in Pakistan. Today it has become a powerful actor and is playing the role of a watchdog keeping an eye on the pillars of the State.

    This explosive growth has been mainly concentrated within the electronic media. Till 2001, television in Pakistan was solely owned by the government. The dissemination of news and information was the prerogative of the State broadcaster, Pakistan Television (PTV). Pakistani viewers had little or no access to independent news sources, with the possible exception of newspapers that were privately owned and reported independently; but their reach was significantly less than that of television.

    The Musharraf government opened up the Pakistani airwaves after coming to power and the first privately-owned and operated TV channel was launched in 2002. Since then, there has been a mushrooming of channels, with almost all major media houses and newspaper owners establishing their own TV outlets. The genres of channels include news, entertainment, music, sports, cooking and even health.

    Fahd Husain

    But the news and current affairs channels have had the most profound impact on national politics. With round-the-clock news, views and analysis beaming into millions of homes, Pakistanis are now bombarded with information every minute of every day. This constant flow of information has had a tremendous impact on increasing awareness among the population and has provided them the opportunity to hear every point of view. It has also brought governments under scrutiny as live broadcasts relay information across the country and expose official shortcomings, blunders and excesses without fear or favour.

    The result is a much more transparent system where anything and everything is open to question and scrutiny. Media competition over attracting a larger viewership has led to the pursuit of increased accountability of politicians, as well as state institutions, who are answerable to the public for all doings.

    Since coming into its own, the media has played a key role in shaping major events. One such example is the lawyers’ movement of 2007 which ultimately led to the ouster of President Pervez Musharraf. It was the media’s blanket coverage of the movement that transformed it into a political force and piled pressure on a regime which appeared indestructible. The lawyers came out on the streets when Musharraf removed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and it was the media which strengthened this movement by showing live images across millions of homes.

    A majority of Pakistanis now get their news from television. In many ways, politicians now prefer to come and speak on TV rather than deliver speeches in the parliament or political rallies. In fact, TV has become the strongest opinion-forming platform and political parties and state institutions have realized that it is through this medium that they must build perceptions and market their performance. As a consequence, political stakeholders have been forced to adjust to an age where they are increasingly becoming answerable to the public. Media, it seems, is now driving the national agenda.

    In every respect, the rise of a strong media is a healthy development for Pakistan. It has strengthened civil society, held traditional power centers accountable, has given voice to the silent majority and reined in any excesses  of the State. The media has brought a certain equilibrium to a society which was traditionally skewed heavily in favour of the elite.  It has altered national discourse in favour of the common Pakistani and directed the State’s attention to the needs and compulsions of the common man on the street.

    Through the rise of the independent media, we are seeing the contours of a new and evolving society demanding greater transparency and a level playing field for all, regardless of their official status. It may take a while to achieve this, but the journey, it seems, has begun. The media is the engine that is forcing this welcome change in Pakistan.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021