Of vendettas and vindication
The entire issue of the leaked tapes has left a lot of strain on me personally but also on my family, friends or well wishers. My interviews on different channels and YouTube have definitely brought some respite; but there are those who will not let go of the opportunity to make abusive remarks – not in person but mostly on social media. I am told some are paid by a specific band of vested interests, whilst others riding on a false wave of morality just wish to vent for apparently no reason.
Meanwhile, as I pick up scattered pieces one by one and gather them to re-build, some newspapers plastered news about me fleeing from the country. So much for their professional journalistic ethics. So far, no anchor has taken up my challenge of showing mid-break footage of their shows for the benefit of general audiences. For then, the masses will know for sure that a few individuals who out of professional jealousy made a mountain out of a molehill misguided them. Not that it is either wrong or wicked in any way but that it is just a routine to chat with anyone on the show during mid-breaks. Additionally, to claim that no one calls during the show to give an opinion or pitch questions is misleading and untrue.
Some people – in pursuit of their personal vendettas (because I exposed them) or due to professional jealousy (because my sustained ratings worry them) – went overboard trying to portray a twisted picture. I honestly believe that even the Honourable Supreme Court has not been given the complete picture and once the honourable judges see how edited information has been forwarded to them, they too will not spare anyone who is guilty. The matter is in the apex court now and they will take any decisions pertaining to it.
In the meanwhile, I have to attend to some accusations on the personal front. Those who thought they could get away with telling scathing lies about me are definitely mistaken. For I am not the kind of a person who will sit back and let someone growl for no reason. Today, I have conveyed to my lawyer to file charges against Sheikh Waqas Akram of PML(Q) for his false allegations and fictitious remarks pertaining to our meeting. His remarks – much like his degree and votes – were bogus. He amongst other things claimed that I offered him money not to go against Royal Palm Club. This time I have news for Sheikh Waqas. I shall not only sue him but also those present in the meeting irrespective of what that does to my personal associations with anyone. This time, I will not just be filing defamation charges but I will also be filing criminal charges to ensure speedy justice. For I truly believe he had criminal intent when he falsely accused me. I have a right to defend my honour and hard-earned reputation and I cannot let a stray creature with a malevolent comprehension get away trying to malign my family and me.
Some friends also asked me to sue Khwaja Asif for his remarks. I have never met the gentleman and I know he does not really know me except through my shows. I believe, he as a party leader thought he was within his rights to get even with a person who he or his fellow colleagues felt offended by for whatever reason. If PML(N) or anyone from its ranks admonishes me, I shall not hold it against them personally; for, over a period of time, I have developed a reputation for doing anti-Punjab government shows. It was neither deliberate nor intended as such. But if I were one of them, I too may feel the same way. (This is of course hindsight intelligence). In response to my YouTube video, a lot of people asked me why I have done anti-PML(N) shows in abundance. My only defence is that when a party controls almost 63% of the country with an absolute tight grip, it cannot be absolved of any charges that we charge the federal government with. Whilst I have done numerous shows against the ruling coalition in Islamabad, and am the only one who did extensive shows repeatedly against the Gilani family, it still seems a lot of folks either forget or choose to deliberately ignore that fact.
On the day one of hearing in the Supreme Court, the lawyer representing PEMRA made a very articulate point but no one was interested in his point of view at that time. PEMRA it seems has sent notices to almost 8 channels for showing stolen footage; but even today some are bent upon creating a hero out of a thief. I wish we would adjust our moral compasses because when a society facilitates thefts or hero-worships a thief, then it has very little character to hang on to. Will those who repeatedly misinformed the public and the honourable courts be brought to justice? I don’t think so. For at the moment, we seem to be convinced that the ends justify the means. And that is a matter of serious concern…
(Part of a series of articles)