I wouldn't like to seriously believe that this column was missed last week. I missed the deadline and that was rather disturbing, to say the least. I do miss deadlines, and I believe that of this the less said, the better. I wonder whether I should share the reasons for this column not appearing.
Without dramatising the point, the fact is that I lost it after I had written half of it. I was being chased by the concerned editorial staff right till the end, and of course let me concede that I was embarrassed. It is a very uneasy feeling to know that a deadline is slipping out of hand. What sealed my fate, as far as last week's column is concerned is that I lost it, as a result of my inadequate handling of the computer.
In my haste to finish the column, even though I was on an extended deadline, I deleted it, by mistake. That's it. I felt awful. But neither could anyone, nor could I undo what had been done. I have overdone this explanation, but I thought that sharing it with an anonymous reader would make me feel better.
Now to some of the themes that I can remember that were being focused last week. There was that 16th of December 1971 that was discussed by several channels as the fall of Dhaka.
An underlying current or emphasis was that we have learnt no lessons from the tragedy of East Pakistan, and that it is feared very much that the trauma could be repeated. Of course, there are others who vehemently disagree that there are any parallels between the conditions prevailing in 1971 and before, and those that exist now.
The other theme that was in the news and current affairs mainstream was the Kalabagh Dam, which subject appears to have occupied far more time than perhaps ever before.
Both the Government and the Opposition and the media have been debating, and angrily, the merits and demerits of the Kalabagh Dam, in the context of the need for more dams in Pakistan. The country's water vision is a matter of concern, it is being appropriately emphasised.
Yet another theme that featured strongly was the largest province in the country, Balochistan. This theme also remains a major one during the week that I am focused on, and the steps that the authorities and the government have been firmly taking, are being debated, and discussed, (and with emotion and argument both) on the channels.
I wish it was possible to have seen and heard all the TV panel discussions and arguments to grasp better and comprehensively the Kalabagh Dam perspective. There are indeed many dimensions in the water theme, and foremost one is that of energy. And then agriculture. But above all, what is being stressed by politicians, in particular, is that of the challenge that the country itself faces with the prospects of the Kalabagh Dam.
It surely makes one wonder whether the average TV viewer is interested and curious about the Kalabagh Dam, and the various reports that have been released on the web site also. What however, needs to be noticed is with the passage of time, and with an expansion in the media networks (print and electronic) the amount of details being shared with the public, have grown enormously. Concepts like transparency and accountability are talked about much more than ever before. And I do not wish to sound cynical as I say this.
There is a lot that can be said about the media focus on the Kalabagh Dam. I would like to take notice of a news story that appeared in a newspaper on 21st December which said that the Sindhi Press refuses to publish pro KBD ads.
The report said "the federal government received an unexpected setback on Tuesday, the first day of its media campaign in favour of the big reservoirs, including the Kalabagh Dam when no Sindhi newspaper published its advertisements.
Different newspapers published in other languages have printed the government's advertisement in favour of the Kalabagh and Bhasha Dams but not a single Sindhi newspaper carried them. The chairman of the newly formed Sindhi media forum, Qazi Shah Mohammad was quoted as saying that "advertisements could not be edited, therefore the newspapers had no other option but to express their inability to print them.
The general secretary of the same forum, Dr Jabbar Khattak said that they had not accepted the government's advertisement", as its contents were contrary to its factual position.
It could be an act of misguiding the public.... We don't publish the advertisements of quacks either as we consider them harmful for human health" ARYOne on 26th December, with a repeat telecast as well, had its News on Views dealing with the Kalabagh Dam proposition. Anchored by the popular Dr Shahid Masood the panellists were Mir Hasil Bizenjo, Hasan Ali Chandio, Dr Saeeda Malik and Shazia Marri (who besides being a politician is also a well known presenter on the Indus TV).
It was a very lively discussion and reflected the deep divide there is on this subject. There were accusations and arguments from both the protagonists and antagonists of the Kalabagh Dam, there were also strong reservations about how the government has been handling the issue. One view that has been heard is that some statements from official quarters have created more misunderstanding between Punjab and the other three provinces that have repeatedly refused to agree to the Kalabagh Dam.
All the four participants spoke with candour and often without any inhibition, and it reflected the freedom of expression that is being witnessed these days. This was another instance of a panel discussion where the official spokesperson (Dr Saeeda Malik of the Sindh government) appeared to be outdone and outnumbered.
Hasil Bizenjo and Shazia Marri bitterly opposed the views and arguments of Dr Malik. I have often wondered why the print media does not report some of the strong views that such TV discussions present. That evening the Geo news channel in its Follow-up with Fahd was also seized with the Kalabagh Dam pros and cons. And the heavyweights debating the issue, with all the force of argument and analysis, included Gohar Ayub Khan, Aitzaz Ahsan and Shahbaz Sharif who was on a long distance telephone call.
It was significant to hear from Gohar Ayub that the situation in Pakistan did in no way resemble the conditions prevailing at the time of the December 1971 war.
I am distracted as I write this column on Wednesday night by another discussion on the Aaj TV channel, on the Kalabagh Dam theme. One of the participants is talking of the disadvantages of the Bhasha Dam, and how it will hurt the people. Another participant underlines that there are two lobbies at work, one for the Kalabagh Dam and the other for the Bhasha Dam.
It is also being argued that the World Bank will not be able to fund any project that is controversial. Which reminds me that the VOA TV in its 7.30 PM-8 PM current affairs show called Beyond the Headlines on Tuesday night was also focused on the Dam theme. Anchor Person Kokab Farshori was interviewing two senior journalists, Khalid Hasan and Nayyar Zaidi in Washington D.C.
And it was the latter who wondered why there had been no mention of who would fund the Kalabagh Dam. In the Aaj TV discussion a participant was saying that there are people who are advocating a Dam in Skardu". Have these people seen Skardu ever? Does anyone own Skardu? "And there was spotlight on the status of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. I am deliberately not going into the details of how bitter and complaining the participants were.

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The Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned 35 foreign TV channels and MMDs, in the country for being in operation in an illegal manner. A Pemra press release said that these channels had not obtained landing rights (certificates of right to distribute). Whether they can be issued these rights remains unclear.
The Channels include: AXN, National Geographic-Hindi), Reality TV, SetMax, Sony, Sahara One, Balle Balle, ETC, Channel One, NOW, MM, MM2, Mnet, Series, Action, Super Sports, 1,2,3,4,5 and 6; Fashion TV, International Zee TV, Cinema, Sports, News and Smile, Star Plus, USTAV, Care and Gold, B4U Movies, and Music, and ETV.
This ban having come into effect in the last ten days, almost, has upset TV viewers, especially those who were accustomed to Indian channels, and the India soap operas and Indian cinema. Some viewers complain that this ban has been brought into effect to provide a better playing field to the Pakistani channels.
Others believe that this ban on these 35 TV channels is going to be short-lived, for in this day and age it is unlikely that the ban will stay for long. And one has heard TV viewers say that family viewing has dropped enormously, as most viewers watched the India channels most of the time.
It needs to be mentioned here that Reporters Without Borders this week condemned the order issued by PEMRA on December 22 instructing cable operators to stop the above mentioned channels. Most of the banned channels are Indian. Therefore those groups and lobbies in Pakistan who believe that the Indian content on Pakistan's TV was unusually high, and needed to be curtailed, must be happy at what has happened.
The above mentioned organisation said that "It is regrettable at a time of political rapprochement between Pakistan and India millions of Pakistanis are being denied the right to watch TV channels simply because they are foreign. The way Pemra exercises its authority is worse than chaotic. It protects neither free competition, nor the interests of the cable operators, nor the right of the Pakistanis to information." The cynics around us are keeping their fingers crossed. They believe that the banned channels will return, sooner or later.
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This year, in view of the October 8, earthquake that hit NWFP and Kashmir the tone of Christmas celebrations also was different, subdued, but there was a lot more time given to it. This was done to express Pakistan's concern and care for its minorities, as well acknowledge the presence and contribution of the foreigners (obviously Christians) who chose to be here for this festive season I sat through, on Christmas Eve a PTV programme which was compered by that very able, gentle and communicative Sufia Shahid.
She made that Christmas evening very enjoyable, and her intelligent questions, and mild contemplative manner made the guests feel very comfortable. The foreigners too appeared to have enjoyed the show. Even the music was appropriate to the occasion. Running out of space now, I realise that I have lost an opportunity to write about some other programmes. One of them was on the death anniversary of Melody Queen Noor Jehan on 23rd December. Perhaps, next time.