PUPPETS ON A STRING?

By
Hussain
-
146
1737

That trouble comes in threes could not be any truer than in the case of the latest scandal hitting mainstream media and social media, dubbed “Mediagate”. What started as mere allegations against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar that first turned into a storm that shook the very foundations of judiciary, has now turned into another earth-shaking scandal that has put at stake the careers of many prominent journalists in the country, and putting into question the role of the media as a watchdog against corrupt practices.
“Bahriagate” or “Familygate” has seemingly opened up a Pandora’s Box, and Malik Riaz’s revelations have put some of the anchors on a warpath.
After appearing in a press conference, which in itself spurred the Supreme Court to initiate contempt of court proceedings, the real estate tycoon and central character of Bahriagate, Malik Riaz, appeared in an interview on Dunya News TV channel, hosted by Mehar Bukhari and Mubasher Lucman, which has brought a rumble along the foundations of Pakistani media.
First it was Najam Sethi of Geo TV and Syed Talat Husain of Dawn News who sparred and traded punches a few days ago, mostly over their intellectual capacity and professional integrity. Echoes of this episode had barely died down when this explosion was heard on the vibes.
The recent interview was routine business but what really proved to be shocking was behind-the-scenes video footage that somehow got leaked and was uploaded on YouTube, and was soon doing the rounds in the social media. It appears from the footage that Malik Riaz had planted questions in the interview. The hosts also appear to be helping him prepare his answers, and in certain cases mouth-fed him some answers. He appeared to take full advantage of his position and contact with the management of Dunya News who told the hosts not to interrupt him and give him as much time as he wanted.
The video also shows political scions of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif interrupting and giving their input to the hosts on points relevant to them.
“Why don’t you start talking about it yourself, otherwise [if we ask] it will seem planted, which it is, but I don’t know if it should look planted,” an otherwise ferocious Mehar at one point suggested to Malik Riaz.
Both Mehar and Lucman in the start reminded Riaz of mentioning ‘Code of Conduct’ for judges, where “as per section 4 listed on their website also, even if a judge is related to one of the lawyers involved in a case or personally knows someone in the case, they should quit,” Lucman says, while Mehar adds, “and in this case it’s his [CJ’s] son”.
During the interview Mubasher Lucaman, known for his no holds barred approach, seemed upset and offended at the very idea of hosting a programme jointly with Mehar Bukhari, who in herself has seen a fair deal of controversy during her career as an anchorperson. He was piqued when Mehar insisted on deciding who was going to ask Malik Riaz questions. In fact, he did get up and walked out of the room when Mehar did not give in. Later, under persuasion by both his co-host and the guest, he came back. He also said: “I’ll say it on air that I’ve been ‘pressurised’ by Mian Amir Mehmood and Malik Riaz to do this programme.”
It also appeared that he was more interested in defending the political scion of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, Moonis Elahi, who Mehar wanted to ask a question about from Malik Riaz, than asking direct questions from the guest.
Lucman was also adamant in bringing into debate the name of Hamid Mir, host of a well-known TV talk show, for “taking a villa” from the tycoon to which Malik Riaz resisted. Lucman apparently handed him a cell phone, in his support, on the other line of which was, he said, Abdul Qadir Gilani, the son of Prime Minister Gilani. Meantime, Maryam Nawaz sent a text message to Mehar clarifying the situation regarding allegations that Malik Riaz had given Hamza Shehbaz a bullet-proof car.
The video has become the talk of the town as almost every talk show was seen discussing it.
Hamid Mir of Geo News used the video in his programme, Capital Talk, and asked scathing questions from his guests that included Khawaja Asif of the PML-N, Qamaruz Zaman Kaira of PPP and Imran Khan of PTI. He was quick to point out the laxity shown by his colleagues in the media though he exonerated himself from all the allegations levelled against him in that interview. He insisted, “All of us journalists who have been named in the list must put ourselves up for accountability by the PFUJ and the courts.”
He was referring to a list allegedly published on the official letterhead of Bahria Town and containing names of 19 journalists with the amount of money, vehicles, property and other favours they received from the Bahria Town management. The Bahria Town management has denied publishing the list.
In their defence, the management of Dunya News claims that the controversial video footage was stolen by a rival media group and thus could have been manipulated and edited into something it never was intended for.
Mehar gave a dispassionate defence of her actions in her programme ‘Crossfire’ while claiming that nothing out of the ordinary was done during the interview. “Everybody in media does what we did,” she said. “Journalists in that list are in the process of consultation on how to take legal action against Bahria Town,” she added.
Meanwhile, sources told Pakistan Today that Lucman has been “suspended for three days” by the Dunya News management, and an enquiry has been started against him for his controversial actions during the interview. Malik Riaz had in fact warned him during the interview that he would have to answer a lot of questions about his comment with regard to “having been pressurised by Mian Amir” on-air.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Nasim Zehra has resigned from her position as the Director Current Affairs, Dunya News, in the aftermath of this leaking of behind-the-scenes video.
The turmoil at Dunya News also brings into focus the role of emerging media barons and their hobnobbing with the powers that be.

Behind the Scenes
Published on Youtube by Anumuae

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

146 COMMENTS

    • You think these pieces of sh*t have the courage?

      They would rather beg likes of Malik Riaz for another bone.

    • I second saim's view because body language of Mubbashir Luqman was showing that he is doing it under pressure.
      M.M.Humayon

    • Who so ever leaked the video, it does not matter. But what matters the most is that the true face of these con artists, dodgers of the poor Pakistani people is exposed. They do not realise that they have done more damage than these politicians. Who can you trust NO BODY.

    • M Luqman has disappointed me the most.I always thought he was a reasonable person. My brother who lived in Pakistan until last year and thoughtfully as well as thankfully moved to work in an multinational bank always advised me otherwise.

      Luqman has come across as a cheap trickster. SHAME ON YOU LUQMAN.

    • What response! These people have no shame and no respect for their own people. There won't be any remorse. PSYCHOPATHS.

  6. atleast two media persons are exposed, how they sell themselves to Malik-Riaz. When they are already biased towards one party, hopefully we will see more faces who sell they ugly dignity for rupees. Shame on these people, when they give lessons to other people on honesty, self-respect and dignity.

    • CJ has saved his corrupt son by cleverly passing the buck to govt. Govt agencies investigate corruption of individuals in govt funds, and not between two private persons. Now, I will grip anybody by neck if he insisted CJ is honest. There is noone more corrupt than him, who regrettfully wasted a chance to become hero by announcing a small punishment for his son.

  9. Pakistani nation is being fooled by PPP, PMLN and their noora kushti. Also by MQM and ANP! Nw here comes media also fooling this nation, and to scandalize the court they are trying their best. Follow me on Twitter @EngrQasimKhan for more tweets

    • With regret::: Pakistani nation is not being fooled by anyone, in fact Pakistani nation is FOOL. No one can fool around with wise nations.!!!!!

    • Pakistani nation is being fooled by CJ actually who falsely claims he is honest. Just think over this: CJ has saved his corrupt son by cleverly passing the buck to govt. Govt agencies investigate corruption of individuals in govt funds, and not between two private persons. Now, I will grip anybody by neck if he insisted CJ is honest. There is noone more corrupt than him, who regrettfully wasted a chance to become hero by announcing a small punishment for his son.

    • Pakistani nation is being fooled by CJ actually who falsely claims he is honest. Just think over this: CJ has saved his corrupt son by cleverly passing the buck to govt. Govt agencies investigate corruption of individuals in govt funds, and not between two private persons. Now, I will grip anybody by neck if he insisted CJ is honest. There is noone more corrupt than him, who regrettfully wasted a chance to become hero by announcing a small punishment for his son.

  10. Hats off to whoever leaked it. That's the kind of whistle-blowing we need, not leaked footage of poor Meera trying to speak English.

    • This is tug of power. power vs.power. who wins and who loses time will decide. But this has shown the real face of media people.

  15. Pakistan ka BEKAOO media 🙂 sare awam ko pagal banaya hota hia lol peechay say ya ho raha hotahia

  17. never try to mess with higher power. Iftekhar Choudry is fighting for the people of Allah and he's well protected. May Allah have mercy on us and bless the man who leaked this video.

  18. we believed in media and judiciary but media has proved itself as the most culprist one shame on u luqman

  19. Guys…. Wake UP… They are for Sale… Who ever pays the Most shall Buy them… Shame On Them Both..They have Breached the Trust of So Many who Believed in You. "Nang e Deen o Nang e Qoum O Nang e Watan"

  20. Malik Riaz, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari fell in their own trap…………Long live Iftikhar Chaudhry. Its time to dump all these self proclaimed Gods !

  22. there is only one man in Pakistan who has been exposing for long the corrupt coalition cartel,saleable media slave to worst ever opportunists,blackmailers,target killers,bathakhors ;mqm whom it presents as mesiahs,zardaris' slave since mqm is coalition partner to pppz.he has vehemently criticized even imran khan for his lone riding and weakening opposition role.he is the only one who exposed wrongs of divided opposition only favoring president ,the political,partisan president

  23. I used to idealize this chameleon. but now i regret myself for even thinking about it. this is what happens when someone Swears on Quran. May he be questioned over this act of immorality.

  25. Excellent! However, with due respect, I feel article didn't highlight involvement of PPP & N in this whole affair!

  27. Malik Riaz is the Don. Nobody has the right to touch him. The CJ doesn`t know who he is dealing with.

  31. ‎@khari_baat what was exactly planted in show dat was shocking i am still trying to find out .. dere was no planted conspiracy discussed against CJP..however pro cjp Hamid mir villa discussed and no specific questions were discussed however there was skirmish between meher and lucman on time sharing which showed their lack of co-ordination… its not hidden that he use money for everything what is the planted version i.e missing ……… GEO does the paid of PPP so what if Malik think he used media politicians do it daily on talk shows

  35. What is most funny, no buddy talks about the bribes taken by arsalan. Iftikhar is just much into it. His son took the bribes and took it to CJ's house. Prove it otherwise and then point fingers in another direction.

  38. media,politicians,bureaucrats,army……each n every institution is corrupt…………..because each n evry 1 of us is corrupt………charity has to begin at home……clean urself n wait fo the results

  40. It serves him right .
    He is on the record using foul and insulting language regarding CJP when he was sacked by poodle of Bush known as Mush. He is an admirer of Altaf Hussain and his chat programmes are heavily tilted in favour of fascist MQM.

  41. I rem of few lines after watching this…
    Mai kis k hath pay apna lahu talaash karun,
    Tamam sheher nay pehen rakhay hain dastanay
    There’s none in the country we can trust on… I salute 17 judges of the CJ bench being a hurdle for everyone!!

  46. why not maher is being suspend too? she was also the part of this whole plan……i think v should boycott Dunya tv chanel unless they suspend both of them…….infact mj to dunya tv k managment b involv lgti h……to m ap sb se apeal kroga k dunya tv k boycott kr k apna hissa dale

  47. What a ridiculous man MubLucman is.
    His track record is that he is Mush crony and favourite of MQM.
    He looks funny when he presents his programe with skin tight shirt.
    His conduct is disrespectful and horrible.

  48. As a writer i have been pointing out this corruption of the anchors and the media persons since last three years and i have also pointed out that their job is to high light a issue and not to become a party but its totally a different story here in Pakistan and i would go to extent that the senior anchors have played havoc with the independent media of Pakistan and now we have come to point of no return and this sentence was used by me long time a go warning the anchors not to go to that extent but to our surprised they all were thinking that they are the most learned and knowledgeable people of Pakistan. Its now high time that all black sheep be brought to task and the electronic media be freed from all such people.

  49. A big salute to the person who has uncovered this background reality .. May Allah Bless our Country.. Pakistan Zindabad

  51. Both anchors including the whole channel are working for anti Pakistan forces.
    "SHARAM IN KO MAGAR NAHI AATI"..

  53. what a pity,i watched these dirty,fake,sold out ,rouge ,cheat anchors planted program with an ilaterate businessman who has no shame on his corrupt practises;i had switched on my generator due to loadshedding, to watch a fake game,which went on for two hours.how much money you pocketed MR.Aamir?

  54. I do not want waste my words on Luqman, he is a thorough bred SOB, but mehr, you have today proved in this program that you too are no better, ur conduct is disgraceful, shemeful and u tp are a a run of the mill B…h. Bravo

  58. Supreme Court of Pakistan is making a mockery of itself . There will come a time when entire Pakistan will be in contempt. The media moghuls in Pakistan black mail every one as they themselves are part of a corrupt Pakistan.

  59. i think sub kai interview aisai hi hotay hain , behind the scene aisa hi hota hai , but hum ko pata nahi chulta … confirm by mehar bukhari ,

  60. dunia tv and mehar bukhari also should be ban …in k saath ppp.q league .n league .mqm hai to chief justice k sath saari qoam aur ALLAH TAALA KI zaat mubarik hai

  62. WOW! this is something very sad…bt accusing only anchors is not a gud thing CEO n management of DUNYA NEWS also is equally responsible

  63. Freedon of press, the credit goes to Musharf and present government. Why CJ is most concerned about his son, what about thousand of other events? The real job of CJ is to organize and clean the lower courts for fair and quick relief to public.

  64. At last.. the true face of media manifests itself…what i have been saying all along is proved… media is only used as a propaganda and lobbying tool by the power brokers….

  65. Dunya TV has lost any credibility. Not that credibility matters to them but I think a big bamboo should be shoved up the back side of Mehar Bukhari. Its shameful how they fool people. I bet she she fakes it with her husband too 🙂

  66. uff i'm shoked….the so called IMAANDAAR journalists 've been CAUGHT….they are just fed for their jobs…no one trusts on media any more…..
    every talk show seems to be fake or planted now…person like MALIK RIAZ deserves SEVERE punishment by court…this corruption case was fake just to scandalize CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN IFTIKHAR CHAUDHRY indirectly by a direct hit on his son ARSALAN CHAUDHRY….their no solid proof about him….
    MAY ALLAH SAVE PAKISTAN FROM SUCH WICKED PEOPLE

  68. I haven't seen many posts from any of the jiayalas. Did they crawl back in their mother's womb?

  74. MONEY MAKERS…PROPERTY DEALERS…..BLACKMAILERS….EXPLOITERS…THIS IS OUR MEDIA(BOTH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC)!THEY ARE MOSTLY ..IGNORANT PEOPLE..THIS IS ALL A.BOUT THE .OWNERS/PROPRITORS!as far as EMLOYES are concerned,some 40 years years ago, there used to be a reporter in daily NIDA i MILLAT.one day , i complained about his hakypankies ti Mr.Majid Nizami !He listened to me and then said,…..Awan sahib ! wo hamain bhi to kuch la kar daita hay! very soon, for some other reason , i resigned .That reporter rose very high high, later on! so this is our journalism ! this is our media!Will some body or the institution investigate about the LOOT of the national exchequre by media?

  75. Few weeks back, a leading US Daily reported that "US is spending millions on Pakistani media"………..and now this "Behind the Scenes"……….This is how they are minting money farudulantly.

  77. The Kaana CJ needs to be tarred and feathered and then sent to an optician to sort out his strange mad looking eyes. No wonder they say justice is blind. Idiot doesnt even know whats happening in his house.

  78. May God grant respite to Malik Riaz, the saviour of the judiciary and the media in Pakistan. Dont worry Malik Saab we are with you. In case you are dispossessed of properties I have a 5 marla place you can have rent free.

  79. It did not need an Einstien to discover the credentials of Mr Mubashar Luqman. He is a known Musharraf protege.But what about the others frothing their mouths in the rival channels? Did not one of them conduct a "planted" interview with Musharraf when in power in an attempt to absolve him of all the blame. Let it not be forgotten that we have Pakistani Rupert Murdochs who run TV channels, Newspapers et al. Allah have pity on us.

  80. It is a shame for Mubashir Lucman. I had lot of respect for him for his programs "KHARI BAAT" but am disappointed on his behind the scene character. Such journalists need to be sorted out who are simply playing with the sentiments of people of Pakistan and have made mockery of issues in politics and courts.

    May Allah save Pakistan from such estate tycoons and sold out journalists apart from shameless politicians.

  84. Malik Riaz was an imposter. It is a sad day when professionals like Mehr Bokhari and luqman join his ranks. Shame on both of you.

  85. this media is no sale now…..now they will give lame reasons to save thier face ..but too late now we understand these talk showz ,anchors are just drama,

  86. You see, if Malik Riaz said that every one is for sale in Pakistan, then why Supreme court and our innocent people is angry, I think Malik Riaz speaks true atleast on this matter.

  87. Judiciary and free media that restored CJ…..this is what their real faces are…any takers of restoration movement…!

  88. nasim zahra showed her chracter by resiging.
    and mehar and mubashir showed their chraqcters by not resiging.
    both of these anchors should be hit by rotten eggs at aapbara

  89. Nobody has mentioned the excuse Lacman was giving for his short absence and leaving the chair.
    In the programme he mentions that he went out to meet a person who had brought some documents showing evidence agains the Chief Justice, what a load of rubbish.
    I will suggest that if LAcman has any dignity left he should leave TV for ever and of course MAher.

  91. Nothing astonishing or suprise!!! The only thing is we are a forgetful people. Couple of years ago AG of USA claimed in court that Pakistanis can sell thier ……………. for money. One of our so called heroic Pakistani demanded an apology from him. In return AG of USA provided him solid evidences and the so called Heroic Pakistani had to shut his mouth. This is common in our society. But we pretend that we are a clean, honest and law abiding nation and such incidents are shocking etc etc. Just Chill & wait for many many more to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  94. In our country, different types of mafia rule in unique ways. Media has become one of them. It was heartening to see that media independence is taking roots in our country but due to vested interests, few of the black sheep in media who not only misused their power for personal gains but strived to shake the confidence of ordinary public. Being self centered, greedy and opportunist, they sold themselves for a small price which may be few millions but a person with integrity would never sell himself what ever the price he/she may be offered. If you recall their role at different times of crisis starting from Musharaf’s rule till date, you can clearly notice how successful they were, in subverting the issues in favour of sitting governments. In this regard please recollect your memory regarding dubious role of Luqman Mubashir, Mehr Bukhari, Arshed Sharif , Rauf Clasra of Dunya News Channel, Najam Sethi ,Kamran Khan, Hamid Mir of Geo and Nusrat Javed (Aaj TV). Those from Dunya TV been always arrogant, stubborn, full of hate and openly ridiculed the judiciary while others been expressing in veiled and sugar coated pills. Luqman has even gone as far as calling the CJ as criminal when he went to Karachi on May 12, 2008.

  95. Arsalan Iftekhar may have done something wrong but let’s not malign CJ who is the symbol of hope of an ordinary person.

  96. I will request the entire fellow Pakistanis that we may have our likings for any party or personality, but we should not blindly follow and use our head to determine facts and must call a spade as spade. Lets not bring back the Goebbels era of Nazi Germany. Dunya TV may be calling the person who leaked this video as a traitor but let’s not forget that this “Unknown” person has done a great “Ahsaan” on our country to unearth a conspiracy being hatched against our country. Loyalty with one’s institution should be there as for as there’s no wrongdoing but if an institution becomes den of conspirators, it’s the duty of everyone who comes to know the facts, should bring them to thwart such evil designs.

  97. Since this morning Dunya channel is trying to get a clearance certificate from various political, media persons in their favour, I feel dejected when I notice that people like Mujiburrehman Shami and Hassan Askri are condemning the heroic act of that “Unknown Hero” who unearthed a dirty conspiracy against people of Pakistan. If he had not taken this step, we would have never known the conspiracy theory against Judiciary. Let’s rise above our political affiliation and condemn such conspiracy wherever it’s being hatched. I appreciate Nasim Zehra who has resigned from her post and refused to be part of conspirators.

  98. All of them are like that. There is a list of anchors who got money from MR, almost everyone is in the list. We ousted Musharraf due to these liars.

  100. This CJ has proved that he is coward. I presumed that CJ cud again become a hero by announcing a few months prison term for his son, becoz in this case, punishment cannot be more than that. This is an issue between two private individuals. By ordering the govt to initiate action against his son, CJ has don an illegal act. Govt agencies investigate corruption in the national exchequer, and not between two individual. CJ son case was purely a judiciary matter. Chairman NAB rightly said that this case does not fall in NAB jurisdiction. CJ has jeopardised his image in my eyes.

    • @Iftikhar, CJ has saved his corrupt son by cleverly passing the buck to govt. Govt agencies investigate corruption of individuals in govt funds, and not between two private persons. Now, I will grip anybody by neck if he insisted CJ is honest. There is noone more corrupt than him, who regrettfully wasted a chance to become hero by announcing a small punishment for his son.

  101. CJ has saved his corrupt son by cleverly passing the buck to govt. Govt agencies investigate corruption of individuals in govt funds, and not between two private persons. Now, I will grip anybody by neck if he insisted CJ is honest. There is noone more corrupt than him, who regrettfully wasted a chance to become hero by announcing a small punishment for his son.

  102. THE MEDIA MAKES OR MARS THE CHARACTER OF A NATION! But when those in the media themselves lack such virtue; How should the nation act in such circumstances?

  103. Pakistani nation is being fooled by CJ actually who falsely claims he is honest. Just think over this: CJ has saved his corrupt son by cleverly passing the buck to govt. Govt agencies investigate corruption of individuals in govt funds, and not between two private persons. Now, I will grip anybody by neck if he insisted CJ is honest. There is noone more corrupt than him, who regrettfully wasted a chance to become hero by announcing a small punishment for his son.

  106. Bravo, whoever is the whistle blower and leaked the video. These acts will keep all media, politicians, bureaucrats etc in check. Revolution is in the works and certainly changing the ways of operations. However, the so called bigwigs still think they are beyond reach. Not anymore, with internet and mobile facilities.

  107. CJ has made a clever move by shifting responsibility to punish his son on govt. In this way he not only saved his son from punishment, but he can say that govt is taking revenge from him if govt punishes his son for his corruption. This was an issue between two individuals and only SC cud take action. Govt agencies take action in corruption related to govt funds. He utterly disappointed me.

  108. CJ has made a clever move by shifting responsibility to punish his son on govt. In this way he not only saved his son from punishment, but he can say that govt is taking revenge from him if govt punishes his son for his corruption. This was an issue between two individuals and only SC cud take action. Govt agencies take action in corruption related to govt funds. He utterly disappointed me.

  111. hahahah..this is Wat We r pakistani Ohh MY GOd its unblveable BUt in otherside its common in Our country kuch DIno baad sab bul jaengy hum pir yahe log Mzy krengy sirf MZy aur hum isi trah pisty rhengy…..~

  113. I had a good opinion about Luckman &Meher but after this muddle totally opposed. Both of them sold their reputation for a petty…………..

  114. all the free and fair media will not be trusted any more they will have to earn the trust and all the senior anchor should be removed new blood should be injected

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