A controversy that started on social media has taken it by a storm. What some have dubbed to be “Familygate” or “Bahriagate” has become the hottest topic in the country along the commentariat, Twitterati, blogosphere and general public alike. A scandal that can cause the unmaking of judiciary that went through so much trouble to gain its present status.
It all started with an interview of seasoned journalist, Shaheen Sehbai, to an online talk show Washington Beat’s host Dr Manzural Ejaz on June 4. The revelation, as he claimed, proved earth shaking with strong implications for the judiciary. What startled many was not the scale of corruption, but the fact that the Chief Justice was unaware of what his son was up to. Sehbai also claimed that many in media, and some in politics, knew what was going on well before the situation erupted.
The 38-odd minute programme that portrayed this scandal as an attempt at maligning the superior judiciary in general and the CJ in particular, is available on YouTube. The story was soon picked up by mainstream media in the country and salvos of its validity and rebuttal came flying from all around. Ever since it made its debut there, the cyberworld has been abuzz with its possible outcomes and fallouts. It is currently among the most trending topics on Twitter.
Has it tarnished CJ’s image that he cultivated with so much effort over the years? A poll on Facebook says no, it hasn’t yet though a considerable majority said it’s too early to call that. Ansar Abbasi also seems to be of the same opinion when he says the father should not be held responsible for the actions of his son. Iftikhar Ahmed of Geo TV is of the opinion that not only this issue should be investigated, but also the fact as to who gave Dr Arsalan was this much money, what their motives were. Some are however questioning as to how CJ could be unaware of what his son was up to, how he amassed a business worth hundreds of millions when almost every person connected to them knew something fishy was going on.
Politicians, however, have been a bit hesitant – a good thing on that one – in issuing any statement except for the opposition leader Ch Nisar and PTI’s leader Dr Arif Alvi. Ch Nisar came out hard on Malik Riaz, claiming him to be working in consorts with former DG ISI Ahmed Shujaa Pasha.
Dr Arif Alvi has termed Malik Riaz a pawn in the hands of the rulers. SC Registrar Faqir Husain has also jumped on the bandwagon by implicating Malik Riaz in a seat adjustment deal brokered between PPP and PML-N.
No doubt mainstream media is still heeded to the most by the public. But in certain situations it is taking lead and the mainstream media has to play catch up, like in this particular case. Mainstream media can no longer ignore the importance and role of social media.