By Waqar Jappa
As I stepped in the class today, the topic under discussion was“Press under Ayub” with a special reference to Press and Publication Ordinance, 1963. In no time, the class had virtually turned into a battlefield where the young scholars had nothing to offer but hard opinions, distorted facts, scandalous revelations and of course, all the nonsense that they had quite skillfully crammed from those “Whores”-text books.
“Alright folks! Everybody calm down. Let’s not get into controversial accusations. Let’s talk about few good things that happened during Ayyub’s decade of power. Let there also be some objective insights into his Golden Era” Said,Professor Hassan Sajjad- a man known for his profound empathy and extra soft corner for women folks in the class! We have Mr.Jappa in class-a man of reason and unequivocal intellect.
While making his ears stand up and looking direct into my eyes, the professor attacked, “Mr. Jappa!”
Your Grace! I replied.
The gentleman continued.
“So, much like those fellows in Khaki (soldiers) you also think that Ayub Khan’s period remains to be a “Golden Era” in the short history of Pakistan. Don’t you?”
Yes, Your Eminence! I do. And of course, not without some good reasons. I submitted.
“What good reasons? Is that because lately, you have been reading Altaf Gauhar’s narrative of Ayub Khan: Pakistan’s First Military Ruler that I can see in your hands even now or something other substantive?”
Something really substantive, if not empirical sir. I began. Really? Well! Now, you have aroused my curiosity. Go on. Professor interrupted with that typical sarcastic smile on his face. But, before you build your case based on those good reasons of yours that make Ayub’s era-a golden one. Let me tell you and your fellows present here something about curiosity. Professor came again, adamant to unleash a piece of his mind on a curious mind before I could have resumed. Curiosity, he said was much like virginity. Either you have it or you don’t. One can’t fake it. A spell of silence and awe reigned the class. It is the simple art of asking questions and I wonder why such an important quality is so under-rated and undervalued? Think about it. Professor concluded with an utmost seriousness.
Now,It’s your turn. Hail thy Monarch. We are all ears. Please precede Mr. Jappa. We, I presume are curious about Field Marshal and his golden days. Enlighten us. Satisfy our curiosity. Professor said it all in one breath.
“I can…” Hold on for a while dear. I had just uttered two words when dear Professor Interrupted fourth time. Let’s linger the pleasure of curiosity a little more, dearer Japs! I hear the incumbent secretary information Punjab is known to you. Professor said it with an absolute certainty. I didn’t know it was coming. Yes sir; I have the pleasure to work with him. I replied.
I see. Oh I see! Professor seemed amused as if he got what he wanted. What is his name? Raja something? Jahangir Anwar. His name is Raja Jahangir Anwar. I corrected Professor. Thank you for prompt correction said Professor. He came to ICS (Institute of Communication Studies) some time ago to deliver a lecture in Hameed Nizami Auditorium. Didn’t he? Professor asked me as if I alone attended that lecture.
Yes sir. But what has he or his lecture got to do with topic under discussion? Aren’t we talking about press during Gen.Ayub’s era? As much as I remember he spoke about changing nature of the Government Media relations. Plus, he is not much of an Ayub fan. I protested. No. You are over simplifying it son. He certainly has a connection. Let me elaborate. Who was heading Information department during Ayub’s days? Professor asked. Altaf Gahur, I replied.
Good. Do you see any relation between Gahur and this Raja of yours? Professor just fired it away. Yes. They headed same departments in different times. Great. Draw a comparison between the two for the enlightenment of your fellow media students. Professor shot his last shot. And why should I do that sir? I asked. Because you have been studying Altaf Gahur and working with Raja. Professor revealed as if I didn’t know that.
Well, sir if you insist, I would say let the history record itself and let the students of media history decide it on their own. However, one thing I can say for sure, managing media is far more difficult a job than controlling or banning it especially in today’s world. Drop it. You are sounding biased.Professor cut me unfinished as usual and picked up from where we had left the original conversation.
So, where were we? You were saying something about good reasons that make Ayub’s times worth cherishing. He said folding his arms to his chest. By now, my wits had come to an end and I was boiling inside. So, I began,
Sir! I can vividly recall those good old golden days of 60s when everywhere there used to be gold, gold, gold and gold. Even trees used to have golden leaves in Ayub Khan’s era. In mango season, during his times, markets used to be flooded with golden mangoes. And if my memory is serving me right once I purchased 5 Kgs of Golden Mangoes at the price of Pakistani Rupee 1.50 per Kg……….!
I had just begun giving the professor an eyewitness narrative of the Ayub’s golden decade of prosperity when the class burst into laughter. And, the professor ……That, I won’t tell you what he did to me later. But, he stopped having those curiosity conversations with me.
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Writer is a part time actor, occasional documentary film maker and a regular blogger. He has an M.Phil in media studies from ICS, PU.
