SPOTLIGHT: "We enjoy your program so much", the little girl was complimenting Nusrat Javed and Mushtaq Minhas on phone during the popular talk show, "that we stop watching cartoons and tune in to Bolta Pakistan when it comes on air". Nusrat (if I may take the liberty of using first names) turns to Mushtaq with a delighted grin and disarming self-deprecation, "Which of us is Tom" he asks, "and which Jerry"?
It is this mix of fun and warmth with political discussion and argumentative back-and-forth that makes Bolta Pakistan a very popular talk show. Nusrat, the heavyweight with a commanding presence and a tone, now domineering and now sweetly reasonable, usually sets the tone and mood of the program.
Mushtaq, the unassuming one (and the admittedly junior partner) often has to try getting a word in sideways, quick as a dart, before being cut short or stopped altogether, with a dismissive phrase, by his senior partner.
Nevertheless they are both vastly entertaining, both individually and as a duo, while communicating meaningfully. Quite often when Nusrat cuts Mushtaq short, it is probably because he knows what the "under dog" is going to say. But we, the spectators may like to hear Mushtaq out fully because, unlike Nusrat, we would not always be able to anticipate what he was going to say without hearing him to the end! Nusrat also tends to be a little curt with callers especially when they differ from or challenge one or the other of his opinions and tends to cut them short.
To be fair, however, this can often be attributed to time constraints as well. Nevertheless, the contrast in their styles and opinions is refreshingly original and makes the program so popular and, for want of a better word, so much "fun" to watch!
The two anchors not only differ in style but in their views on a number of issues as well. For example, while Ziaul Haq's Afghan jahad and Aurangzeb Alamgir, appear to be near the top of Nusrat's hate list, Mushtaq appears to admire President Ziaul Haq for having stopped Russians from swallowing Pakistan and for having done it with American help but without letting Americans get all over Pakistan the way they have, now.
Nusrat tends to give PPP the benefit of doubt rather more easily than Mushtaq while Mushtaq appears to attach more importance to Islamic values. But both strongly cherish and uphold moral and democratic norms and values. There is no question of this with either of them. The recent 3-month forced closure of Bolta Pakistan and threats to the duo of more to come, are ample testimony to their courage and fortitude.
Now a word about the time constraint. In my view, 2 sessions of, say 75 minutes each would be more productive than the present 3 of 45 minutes each, for nearly the same time-budget, provided they are scheduled at more convenient times like say, at 10 AM and 10 PM.
Bolta Pakistan has no doubt touched new heights of popularity. But with popularity comes responsibility and answerability before the people, and (what is immeasurably more important), before Chief Justice of the whole Universe, before whom, one day, every one must own up to, explain and justify one's every word, every act! (yawajid@yahoo.com).