From Pakistan,
yesterday...Hugh Sykes sent this:
"It happened exactly a week ago. It seems much longer. First there was blurred footage of a white headscarf suddenly falling out of sight. And the orange flash of an explosion. Then a photograph of a man with a pistol in his hand pointing it directly at Benazir.
And the chilling image which has already become iconic: two men staring coldly at the camera, one in the background, partly obscured by the scarf on his head - and in front of him, an almost comic-book villain in dark glasses. His severed head was recovered after the suicide blast, and appears in 'Wanted' notices in the newspapers, a half-smile on its face as it rests on a mortuary shelf.
And now, of course, the election has been postponed. But, even after a delay, will it be free and fair? At least two independent organisations here think they are sure to be rigged.
And a newspaper has already published a full-page guide to 'the Art of Rigging'. The government angrily denounce this as 'scurrilous.' They say the presence of foreign observers will ensure a fair poll.
And the media are still operating under restrictions imposed during the Emergency - some TV channels are off the air.
Rigging: Some newspapers ignore the press restrictions that carry penalties of a year in gaol or a heavy fine.
Blocked: Some TV channels are off the air because of a government ordinance.
Protest: Journalists protest against the media clampdown (PEMRA is the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority).
Children: Unsettling use of children - far too young to understand the banners they are being forced to carry - by a Christian group protesting about government action against judges and journalists. Suffer the little children. They were certainly suffering - not a smile among them, and rough treatment by the adults in charge.
Focus: Pakistanis are avid newspaper readers, especially at times like this.
Wanted: Grim advert in one of the papers this week. Rs. 1 Crore is ten million rupees - about £80,000."
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Maybe we should re-name Hugh. How about "Succinct Sykes"? It does have a certain ring to it...
A great report and one containing a real surprise for me. The Pakistan newspapers, banners etc are all in English!
I'd no idea...
Charlie - yes I was very surprised at that too - all in English. I wonder if Hugh has chosen the bits in English or whether this is the norm?
Hello Charlie and Gossipmistress.
English is the 'official' language of the civil service here in Pakistan, and it is also widely spoken.
There are English-language TV programmes, and one channel - Dawn News TV - which is almost entirely in English.
There are numerous English-language daily and weekly papers: Dawn, the Daily Times, the Daily Mail, The News, The Nation, the Friday Times.
There are also many wonderful bookstores here full of English-language books and foreign newspapers- at least three in Islamabad alone, notably Mr. Books.
As for those banners in English - most protests and meetings that I've attended have featured banners in English.
A week after September 11th 2001, for example, I recall one passionate demonstration outside a mosque which took place in front of a huge banner asking a question: "America! Think Why Do We Hate You So Much?"
And - an insight into the mostly generous spirit here - when people in the crowd that day saw me with my microphone and camera, they helped me get closer to the Imam who was speaking so that I could get a decent recording.
Many thanks for that Hugh
I think "we" may have many misconceptions of Pakistan and the majority of it's people
I'd be interesting to hear more
Thank you Hugh! (How many times did you get 502'd??)
It's easy to forget the *ordinary* people when most of the news we hear from a country is bad/violent. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the blog - much appreciated. More please!!x