Mass transit mess
THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is no secret. No single party is responsible for this state of affairs. Over the decades, successive governments, at the centre and in Sindh have, through acts of omission and commission, contributed to the situation. Seemingly, the planners ‘forgot’ that a geographically vast and populous city would one day need a mass transit system of international standards, and that commuters could not depend on a dwindling fleet of rickety buses or private transport to get around. Some remedial steps have been taken, such as the introduction of the Green Line bus system, though the project came quite late in the day, and remains incomplete. The Green Line was, after several delays, inaugurated in late 2021, while the Red Line, another rapid bus system, has yet to see the light of day.
Yet, of late, there seems to be a welcome realisation within Sindh’s corridors of power that this chaotic situation needs to be addressed. The Sindh chief minister, while talking to this paper, reiterated his intent to get the Red Line scheme chugging again. The project is at a standstill while University Road, a major city artery, has been dug up for the bus line, creating a hellscape for commuters. Cost overruns, as well as other logistical and technical bottlenecks, are said to be responsible for the halted work, indicating a lack of planning at all levels. Meanwhile, the Karachi mayor has written to the prime minister to help extend the Green Line’s route. The service enjoys high ridership, but its route remains incomplete, while a part of M.A. Jinnah Road remains dug up waiting for the scheme’s completion. Both the federal and Sindh governments must complete these schemes at the earliest, while feasible plans for other lines — such as the proposed Blue and Yellow Lines — also need to be finalised quickly.
Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024
Meddlesome ways
AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges comprising the superior judiciary have endorsed the six Islamabad High Court judges’ complaint that they are not free to issue their judgements purely in line with legal principles and face routine pressure from intelligence operatives on how they must decide the cases before them. While it has been a long-held belief among the public that legal outcomes, particularly in political cases, often have little to do with the merits of the case and more to do with where the defendant stands in their relationship with the establishment, it is nonetheless startling that this belief is now being validated by senior judges themselves. It appears that the institution has had enough and wants change. There has been great turmoil within it for the past year or so, but unlike the other branches of state, this turmoil seems to be moving rapidly towards a denouement. All eyes have been on the Supreme Court to see what course it sets for the future. It is hoped that the judges hearing the case realise the weight of this responsibility and proceed accordingly.
The Pakistani judiciary does not rank very high in the public’s perception of fairness, and nothing hurts its image more than the judges themselves complaining that officers who are subordinate to the state frequently try to threaten or blackmail them into issuing tailored judgements without any fear of consequences. The meddling case has also thrown into sharp relief the stark imbalances that still persist within the state more than a decade and a half after the lawyers’ movement. From the disclosures made by the six IHC judges and endorsed by other high courts, it is clear that the judiciary has been unable to exercise the independence envisioned by those who agitated for it in the Musharraf era. Now that the need has been highlighted, it is imperative for the institution to take steps to protect itself from those who seek to subdue it. The legislature, too, must support the judiciary in its efforts in whatever way necessary. The survival and stability of any nation-state depend on a carefully calibrated balance of power between its different branches. Without this balance, there is chaos — something we are, tragically, witnessing with each passing day.
Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024
Under siege
JOURNALISTS across the world are facing unprecedented threats — from legal and economic pressure to outright threats of violence — hindering their ability to report freely. The war in Gaza highlights the perils faced by journalists in conflict zones. Since Oct 7, at least 97 journalists and media workers have been killed.
In India, press freedom has seen a marked decline, driven by a political climate that increasingly stifles dissent. Media ownership is concentrated among a few aligning closely with the BJP — slated to win a third straight term in power — narrowing the diversity of voices in the media. Journalists face harassment and legal actions, and purse strings dictate media narratives.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, ranked lowest for press freedom in South Asia, faces its own challenges. The Cyber Security Act approved last year threatens to deepen the state’s control over media, limiting journalistic freedom and leaving room for the arbitrary interpretation and application of the law. Such developments, alongside violence and judicial harassment of journalists, underscore a growing hostility towards independent journalism.
A similar climate prevails in Pakistan, where the media has always been under siege. The battle is dual-fronted: the government and security establishment both assert control, looking to influence editorial policy. This suppression continues regardless of which party holds power. A notable example is the implicit ‘ban’ on media channels from naming PTI founder Imran Khan. This policy, initiated during Shehbaz Sharif’s last tenure as PM, persisted through the caretaker rule and remains sporadically enforced.
Opposition parties, despite their cries for media freedom, often employ similarly suppressive tactics once in power. Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, or sinister measures such as harassment, legal intimidation and violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Making matters worse is a troubling shift within segments of the media landscape, where the lofty ideals of journalism have been sidelined in favour of compliance. Many media houses, once bastions of fearless reporting, now capitulate under the aforementioned twin pressures.
This surrender is often motivated by financial incentives or coercive force, leading to journalism that panders rather than probes. Powerful corporate entities are an additional pressure, some of whom throw money at media houses to campaign against specific outlets. Most recently, four leading publications published an ad in response to an investigative report by Dawn, disgracefully attempting to run it as news.
The need for unity in Pakistan’s media has never been stronger, to navigate pressures more effectively, maintain journalistic integrity and push back against attempts to influence editorial content. On this World Press Freedom Day, let us resolve to put up a unified front, to not only safeguard our operational independence but also fortify the very foundations of press freedom in the country.
Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024