The murderous attack on journalist Hamid Mir and the ensuing fight between a media group and the establishment have created an uncertain situation in the country with a section of the society seriously challenging the democratic set up and its merit.
The more well-informed people are not sure what turn this ugly situation will take and what would be the end-result of ensuing confrontation between the state institutions. One thing is however certain that Jang group is feeling the heat after triggering a controversy involving the premier security agency.
Already a case has been filed against the said media group with the plea to invoke Article 6 of the Constitution. The government on its own also has constituted a judicial commission to probe into the attack. With Hamid Mir’s family taking a position against security agencies, the judicial probe could see the opening up of a Pandora’s Box that would leave a bad taste in the mouth of all Pakistanis concerned about the present state of affairs.
The government after a brief lull is also gradually awakening and getting its acts together. The Defence Ministry has decided to take legal action against the TV management and all others implicating the security agency. Similarly, Interior Ministry also issued a statement with Ch Nisar condemning the accusations on the ISI.
While the minister had all the sympathy for Hamid Mir, he did not approve of the implication of military institutions in the murderous attack which he believed has been exploited by a neighbouring country. With alarm bells started ringing, the signs are that the media group is out in the cold for some time.
But what is more alarming is the public response to the brewing crisis. All of sudden one could observe the issue of civil-military relations coming to fore. Intriguingly, the government functionaries initially failed miserably to diffuse the situation. Nor the government was seen trying to take a justifiable position that balances out the things. Instead, Nawaz Sharif visited Hamid Mir at Afghan Khan Hospital when his organisation was going bringing disrepute for the security agencies.
More seriously as the fight intensifies and lingers on, the public is questioning the merits of a democracy and supporting the army.