E-Journalism: A Bold Set-off
By the Editor

GETTING its marvellous and spectacular title indexed  —  as the pioneer or a splendid tarmac for a smooth-silky take-off towards a glorious and thriving future for the E-Journalism in Pakistan, a grand and grandiose podium, the Press Institute of Pakistan [PIP] managed a cherished Seminar in the metropolis of the Punjab, Lahore  —  at the last weekend  —  which can pragmatically be phrased  —  as a bold set-off vis-à-vis a most vital require and aspire of the 21st century epoch, which has dawned  —  amid the lap of a sweet-scented and innovative Millennium  —   all around the earth Planet.

Despite lack of interest or knowledge  —  by the men who matter in the corridors of power  —  about the lofty impact of a potent gadget, the Internet for quick dissemination of news and views from the soils of Pakistan to thwart the hideous propaganda crusade, unleashed by the foes of this revered realm, the convening of this Seminar  —  can by all perceptions be phrased as a solicitous vision of a soul  —  who can purely be a logical and erudite  —  alone. .

With a archetypal celebrity  —  the logician and insightful spirit  —  who was once PTV’s Anwar Behzad and later an Anchor alike Tim Sebastian of the BBC, the sober but smiling  —  Absar Abdul Ali, now the Director of the PIP as a host amid the zestful partaking as chief guest by the fêted and venerated emblem in the meadow of journalism, Arif Nizami, the President of All Pakistan Newspapers Society [APNS] who is the Editor of Pakistan’s illustrious dailies ‘The Nation’ in English and ‘Nawa-e-Waqt’ in Urdu, shall go a long way to accomplish the truthful essence of the deliberations  —  which hallmarked the historic event, chaired by Punjab’s Minister for Information Technology, Abdul Aleem Khan.

By now, there was an elfin endorsement of this most significant medium within Pakistan, despite its’ big and strong global acknowledgement by diverse segments of the peoples  —  with overseas Pakistanis atop, the world-over. We feel delighted by the feature the PIP, picked-up this theme  —  for the first time  —  obviously to draw focus on the E-journalism, which, in other words is phrased as online or Internet newspaper journalism in the country.

Amid a prolonged and considerate brainstorming session, illustrious connoisseurs, associated with the field gave remarkable and in-depth presentations via the use of laptops to elucidate their observations to bring to light the hefty impact of the subject.

Yet another emphasis on the occasion was the wishy-washy approach and apathy of those connected with the ministries of Information and Broadcasting plus IT in Pakistan vis-à-vis the E-newspapers which, paradoxically could not seek any patronage from these sets-up and are being published  —  with regularity  —  in spite of limited pecuniary resources at their disposal.

One shall have to admit the veracity that all the newspapers and periodicals, being published on the Web are projecting the positive image of Pakistan on global-level  —  with utmost sincerity  —  by raying truthful and upbeat impact with splendid feed-back  —  thus supplementing the efforts of the national dailies, which, too are uploading their contents on the websites with their own added expenses, swelling with the advent of every sunup.

At the Seminar, almost all the speakers stressed the need for instant official recognition of the E-newspapers, explicitly with the backing of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society [APNS] by indexing all such bona fide papers and periodicals, operating on professional lines, as its’ [APNS] formal members so as to ensure smooth silky sailing of the most modern medium of the fresh era, as E-Journalism in Pakistan is going to boom and prosper even against the existing heavy odds. Virtually, all the basic facets of the E-journalism were thrashed out by the orators threadbare highlighting its superior subtext.

We would like to point-out that roving through diverse scenarios  —  during the past over several months and years  —  the E-Newspaper in Pakistan are glued with a singular zeal n’ zest to disseminate news n’ views in a ceaseless free, fair n’ frank style, which has been an idiosyncratic feature and facade of zestful teams  —  engaged in the silhouette of a momentous limb of the bona fide powerful medium to clutch authentic information on day-to-day episodes around the globe via their complete and compact dailies, by means of the fascinating devise  —  the desktop.

As far E-Newspapers, we can simply assure that realistic objectives of every-one, engaged in this gigantic task shall remain intact  —  to counter every onslaught from any dimension  —  as has been spitefully and callously done by a sadistic set of fussy n’ scandalous internet machinists of India via a wicked stab to sliver  —  some E-News Dailies with ‘Pakistan Times’  —  atop.

Such a noxious n’ toxic shot has always been frustrated in a vibrant style. We can pragmatically reassure the people-in-power with brisk and avid perceptions  —  alike our other colleagues in this arena, 'Pakistan Times' is geared-up to try and change people’s attitudes  —  to make them love each other still more and reflect like neighbours in the global village  —  rather than the antagonists. Yet we will continue to expose and unfurl every tyrannical outlook  —  wherever it exists with India atop  —  to save and shield the humankind from every perilous course.

With this candid mindset, we will continue to project the ill-fated magnitude of inhuman actions like brutalities and atrocities  —  wherever such a course persists  —  with an exceptional spotlight on the plight of innocent Kashmiris in Indian-held part of the charismatic Himalayan State to get their manacles slashed by the intruders  —  who are equipped with lethal arsenal to quell their birth right of self-determination, guaranteed to the bravo Kashmiris with one-voice  —  more than a dozen time even by the United Nations through its resolutions  —  which are as clear as crystal.

We will support every de facto freedom struggle  —  like the one initiated by the people of Palestine--so as to ensure that every-one in this egalitarian age enjoys fruits of full freedom  —  with equilibrium  —  as its podium.

Likewise, we will continue with the only benchmark  —  with a determined ecstasy to focus on the stuffing of the news n' views with a curious approach to refurbish stories as event-oriented instead of going with gusto to transmit the gist as a pictogram of personality-oriented tête-à-tête. It is an established fact that it is man-behind-the-gun  —  not the gun that sets free a potent impact. That too  —  in a way a set of erudite does  —  and   —  would fetch fixed repute for every medium  —  in whatever mode it operates.

As a matter of fact, right from the very beginning, our aim has been atypical and very simple: ‘to do news like the world has never done’  —  just that. We are determined to maintain our mission and assignment  —  with the same aromatic savor  —  at all costs.

Simultaneously, we wish to see the swift expansion of the E-Journalism  —  with an innovative loom everywhere  —  more exclusively in the realms  —  where the Internet apparatus is either being misconstrued or such environs are faced with paucity of literacy rate.

We will prove with an authentic method to make such souls realize that it [Internet] is not a mere idol for bilateral or multilateral ‘Chat’ on pointless topics and that too for an ephemeral and fleeting delight  —  but, with realism that this [Internet] is the most authoritative and booming  —  and shall stay so, as an everlasting spring of information and education  —  with entertainment as its’ last entity.

Though most of the countries  —  in the comity of nations  —  are making best use of this dominant appliance  —  the Internet with captivating and alluring chic  —  scores of sets-up still live-on both in public as well as private sector  —  which are resorting to take the Internet in a juvenile, immature, embryonic, trivial, trifling n’ puerile way  —  either due to lack of awareness about its significance or with as a premeditated mindset.

To quote a perceptible instance is  —  Pakistan’s set-up, known as the EGD [E-Government Directorate], which is an organ of the Ministry of Information Technology  —  essentially to depict and illustrate a magnificent affluent Pakistan  —  with full info about the great, attractive, charming and extraordinary realm, yet the website  —  enunciated by it [EGD] with a hefty sum of the national exchequer  —  are filled with elfin, worthless and hollow contents  —  a facet  —  totally repugnant to real objectives.

Such officious sites are ought to edify and enlighten the world  —  about Pakistan’s fabulous features. Yet things are going other-way round. Not only that it take a cumbersome time to get a site open  —  some of the links’  —  inserted and injected in it  —  portray as E-Gov unit is an icon of the Opposition parties in place of its real title-holder  —  the Government.

One fails to understand as to how such an erratic and arctic posture can soundly counteract the hideous propaganda crusade, unleashed worldwide by the adversaries of Pakistan  —  with India on the top of the catalogue?

Yet the E-Newspapers with the print and electronic mediums are resolute to do every-thing to espouse the supreme national interests of the gorgeous soils of Pakistan  —  and that too, without any explicit interest. The only curiosity  —  with us is to signify the consecrated Pakistan  —  in the same charming mode  —  as it in actuality merits.

We feel delighted to convey that ‘Pakistan Times’ is the first independent daily E-newspaper, bequeathed with the universally-accepted adornment of International Standard Serial Number [ISSN] in Pakistan. As a modest but zestful projector of the nation’s stylish image with focus on events in the most hazardous region of South Asia  —  due to India’s antagonistic attitude  —  we contemplate to elicit yet another daily  —  which is to be in Urdu language, ‘Daur-e-Jadeed’.

We hope this paper, too shall come into view on your desktop  —  shortly  —  for the benefit of our brethren, having abode overseas. The E-Newspaper in Urdu shall also be equipped with latest and updated news n’ views  —  from all-over the globe  —  much before the arrival of daylight  —  on daily basis.

While opting to go for E-newspapers, we had overtly pledged that: “We’re gonna go on the global web today, and we’re gonna stay on until the end of the world. When that time comes, we’ll cover it, say just five sacred n' sanctified words: ‘Nearer My God to Thee,’ and sign off.”

At the same time, we would like to ring a bell that despite swelling emergence or one may phrase it as the birth of novel websites  —  on global level  —  the plight of the Internet apparatus as a source of information and education remains as awful as a cataclysm and catastrophe of colossal magnitude.

Such a poignant milieu persists most exclusively in a large number of the developing world  —  explicitly known as the third world. If described  —  other-way round  —  a world, which lacks requisite resources and by and large is reliant on the aliens  —  called the ‘civilized ones.’ Yet, ironically, with a blissful aspire to compete on worldwide level, is engaged in spendthrift operating expenses  —  by one schema and sketch or the other.

Such a course, in a way, is applied either in the name of ‘spreading information or education.’ Information to seek details of the episodes, surfacing on the Atlas with the ramble of every micro-second on the clock  —  and ‘modern education’ for the youth  —  yet, paradoxically with 'a precise aim or objective'.

This charm and glamour for the hottest widget has  —  by now  —  remained a hallucination or just a fantasy. Going by the charismatic vision of its’ [Internet] architect, it has paved flourishing vistas for a specific set of society via the jovial and mirthful puff up of Internet Cafes  —  even in tiny villages and that too, with-out any lawful monitoring.

What for? It needs no elucidation  —  as such spots remain open even beyond mid-nights, of-course filled with people of all ages  —  having a clear-cut craze and obsession  —  with a magic for miscellaneous '...Woods’ plus ‘hideous Chat’ [invariably to befool or to make each-other, a comic] on the top of the catalog  —  via such a style of flimsy contact.

A very small size of the people makes an apt or apposite use of this device  —  the Internet to have a glance on world affairs, stamped by happenings and occurrences, faced with titanic frequency. Such an inclination portrays nothing except frustration on the part of a lot of people  —  explicitly the youth, the new or next generation  —  our future. It seems that juveniles are being deliberately tuned into this type of malevolence, a delinquent pursuit  —  ‘just to keep them busy.’ Can’t we avert such a lust  —  by giving a reverential status to the newspapers on the web with an official back-up to acquaint and familiarize the ‘Teens’ with the significance of news and views  —  backed by education?

As far the patrons and promoters of the Internet, they too seem making ‘best use’ of it  —  yet with a singular style. These spirits with ‘futuristic exposures’ do go out of the way to plead their ‘perceptions’  —  but practically do nothing  —  at-all. Each one of them  —  in the developing States  —  poses like Bill-Gates  —  sans the vision of the author of marvellous Windows.

Such ‘intellectuals’ are least bothered about the real essence of this machine  —  which takes ones’ perception from one realm to the other  —  in a jiffy, a spur of moment with an instant feedback, manually or via auto-responders. Not to talk of education alone, such ‘models of narcissism’ seem ignorant of the fact that in the modern-age, Internet is an excellent source to take a country’s economy to zeniths of awe-inspiring scale by establishing a direct rapport with the affluent world.

Simultaneously, the peoples  —  having abode anywhere on this sphere  —  can keep themselves au fait on every aspect via E-newspapers to draw a mutual consensus on diverse topics  —  to save the world from all types of loathes by turning such a trend into likings and adore for each-other  —  to avert all sorts of scuffles and skirmishes.

A few spirited souls do make such an attempt  —  with audacity  —  yet they are made vanished  —  overtly to shield some outlast and orthodox interests  —  which are solely and basically dependent on info gathering by clicking diverse news-originating or news-disseminating sites  —  even with a day-to-day dossier, the electronic mail  —  prevalently known as E-mail.

Bizarrely, all such endeavors [to operate an E-daily to take every facet of a country to each and every nook and cranny of the world] eventually, get placed into a state of ache and they are left with no option but to put in abeyance their gargantuan task  —  with a feeble, frail and fragile ray of hope for a sanguine recognition by the media-managers of such lands  —  if and when they get their websites refurbished with a new look.

The Information Sets-up, paradoxically are still oblivious of the strapping points of this mode of news and views dissemination. And instead are affixed with an outmoded, obsolete and conformist, virtually with a passé out-look.

Such limbs of the government(s), which in fact, are dashing neurotically only with a bureaucratic mind-set are least uptight about the crucial and critical requires of the dawn of the new-fangled times, which has already surfaced in the lap of the fresh Millennium  —  filled with a zest for glancing ‘maximum information in minimum time’ plus sophistication, erudition, modishness and  —  above-all with whim and vogue or novelties and innovations  —  with enormous challenges, camouflaging the new epoch.

Not to talk of the lofty significance of a web or in other words an electronic newspaper, majority of such species  —  the ‘emblems’ of Info  —  are ironically alien rather Martian about the role of the classy gadget  —  the Internet.

Yet despite such a reckless tendency, most of such media-managers are all the time excited to incur profligate expenses to seek lavish laptops  —  not from their own pouch but with the expenses, drawn from the national exchequer  —  @ extravagant cost. Side-by-side this course, generous and munificent incentives are  —  very often  —  aired depicting ‘a lot of incentives for the promotion of information technology’, the heavier cost of which is being borne by knocking the public funds.

Even benevolent and benign waiver is granted on account of essential levies to every-one engaged in this task irrespective of evaluation whether one deserves it to apply an expertise to ‘promote it in a righteous way or is just a pseudo ‘intellect’ to grip some ‘specific goals, masquerading  —  nothing but to satisfy their personal ends.

The rapid elocution and enunciation, virtually a swelling growth of official websites by a pet set of ‘experts’ are invariably installed and launched with a fabulous fanfare  —  in an extravaganza fashion  —  sketching the ‘innovations’ as a “dazzling triumph” of the specific sets-up.

Of-course, its’ a feisty and spirited outlook, with a nice motif to get one-self placed as equal with the civilized nations  —  and that too, in the first row. The solo objective of such sites is ought to introduce a limb of a realm to the rest of the world  —  with all-inclusive info, raying with applause and joie de vivre, every splendid facet of a defined country  —  to win eulogize and ovation from all-over.

Such websites are in fact, a prelude and preamble of an area [in essence to attract fellow-beings dwelling beyond oceanic] the periodic appraisal of which is very much obligatory to review the number of the sites’ visitors, which is dexterously evaded and eschewed  —  to keep the realities oblique.

Even though this mode of a straight communication with the rest of the world can be applied as authoritative mean for propaganda or psychological warfare [the present day need]  —  a bulk majority appears, least uptight or eager to do so. And on the other hand, those who wish to get into this taxing and grueling assignment  —  voluntarily are put to rest, or one may term it ‘to sleep and siesta’  —  for a raison d'être, best identified to the ‘stalwarts’.

Sardonically, instead of extending an encouragement  —  at least via a word of gratitude and Accreditation  —  almost all such bold and brisk colleagues of a media crusade are put to stop. With such a milieu, what is the logic behind the prop up of the IT  —  which is no-doubt a pricey affair. A sort of malevolence both by public and private sector towards the [E] or web news and views medium is yet another apathetic aspect.

Well-acquainted with the veracity [the gigantic importance of the web], a hefty sum is being spent by almost all the news organizations for operating their websites to publicize their day-to-day stuff much before their age-old and routine style of circulating their ‘brain-waves’, the leaning of the bosses of advertisements remain fixated only on such news sources  —  with an atypical patronage.

As a result, even the globally-acknowledged complete daily web newspapers, beaming to the orb a highly fascinating image of the lovely homeland (s) and that too  —  free of cost  —  and in fact altruistically  —  are swiftly vanishing like a sapling which remains unattended from the day-one of its’ plantation.

Even if, via a stroke of ‘luck’ an Ad [advertisement] in the silhouette of a microscopic or diminutive Ad banner is ‘bestowed’ on some news-site, its’ legitimate and bona fide right to entrée to aver for an elfin remuneration, turns nothing beyond a stupor or at the best a dream, which never gets translated into a realism  —  and eventually the money? Its’ gulped by sets of typical furtive characters, steering such affairs with glamorous slots!

Unfortunately and fatefully, such a dilemma persists unabated only in the developing countries  —  of-course Pakistan, as one of such territories or terrains. With such an environ, it seems that the media mangers are bent upon interpreting the Internet or the web as a device just for reaching voluminous size of ‘leisure and pleasure’ [explicitly for the young-ones]  —  in place of acknowledging the authenticity that this apparatus [the Internet] is much stronger, valuably and constructive, if applied for seeking information and education  —  and that too at-once.

Pragmatically, the axiom; ‘pen is more powerful than a sword’ was overtly phrased for this gizmo alone. One can’t counter the actuality that this  —  the Internet  —  is a double-edge sword, which is both toxic as well as a forceful and effective shield to protect ones’ outlook from all types of vile and evils  —  if applied with a positive frame of mind.

Needless to quote herein that every civilized society is making best use of this machine, which has virtually turned the endless world into a global village. Even then a bigoted and prejudiced attitude and approach vis-à-vis the web newspaper is nothing beyond an obnoxious and illogical loom  —  rather a tragedy. This overtly manifests the echelon of ‘love n’ esteem’ for IT or magnifying the size of literacy  —  by those, airing blissful and flashy claims about the future of modern education  —  day-in and day-out. Isn’t it so?

Any way, despite this unpleasant milieu [of rarity and paucity of resources to keep-up or to live-on] plus lack of a down-to-earth recognition of the web [E] media, the worth of which shall have to be admitted and appeased by the egotistical clichés one-day, [not very far-off], we look forward for every-ones’ out-of-the-way, if candidly articulated as, hands-in-hands cooperation  —  in a glamorous style to get translated our zestful and zealous dream into a pragmatic reality.

Our visualization is, thus focused on a solitary aspire; to have a gaze at the amelioration of the lot of the humankind with affluence and equilibrium as its hallmark. The vision to abridge diverse civilizations onto this planet  —  for the sake of harmony and coordination among all  —  is not a complex task, if the web is engaged and employed [as we contemplate]  —  with buoyancy, fortitude and finest strength of mind.

We are, simultaneously, grateful to each and every patron, with  —  PIP--atop and ally for the fabulous and marvelous support, extended to E-Journalism to do its job  —  which is still problematic and complex  —  yet we envision to overcome it by reaching to every exquisite soul and set-up, like the  —  APNS and CPNE  —  as the APNS chief [Mr. Arif Nizami] seemed caring and agreeable to help give impetus to the [E] or Internet-Journalism in Pakistan in his heart-warming and inspiring remarks at the first-ever Seminar.

We are optimistic that this lurid, upright and grandiose back-up by our adherents shall persist  —  even in all times ahead. We wish the PIP  —  all the best with all-inclusive prayers for its splendid success in it’s’ objectives  —  in each and every venture it sets off in times ahead.

Finally, we hope that the event of August-21, in the 21st century shall not prove to be a solitary-one on the momentous topic and would ensure a meaningful and dazzling epoch for the E-Journalism in Pakistan. As a pragmatist, we feel sanguine that a life-sized workshop  —  spanning over a period of at least one-week  —  shall be set-in-motion by PIP boss, Mr. Absar Abdul Ali as swiftly  —  as possible, of-course with a vow to unfold a drive  —  with frequent events  —  to translate a virtuous dream into a reality.

The dream, to make realize  —  all those seated at the helms of affairs, exclusively in the comfy and cozy space in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting  —  that E-Newspapers do have a bona fide right  —  to seek recognition like the other branches of media  —  to make best use of the E-Newspapers and that too  —  in the best interest of our beloved homeland  —  Pakistan, the horizons of which are confronted with shades of perils  —  from within as well as from its’ fixated foes  —  abroad.

Since its’ an era of media-war  —  rather than conventional scuffles, it is an apt time to act to foil the designs of the nasty pictogram, wherever such evil icons dwell  —  by making best use of the print, electronic and E-Newspapers  —  to the optimal point.

While expressing our inmost gratitude to each and every-one conversant figure who joined the PIP event with ardent and zealous aspires  —  equipped with luminous skills  —  to give a boost to the E-Journalism in Pakistan. We owe hefty thankfulness to the great and gallant visionary of the bravura and virtuoso trends of sovereign journalism in Pakistan, Mr. Majeed Nizami, the Edior-in-Chief of ‘The Nation’ who, of-course is a herald of free, fair and frank values, norms and ethics of this noble vocation — the Journalism.

No-doubt, he has upheld the unique visualization of his brother, late Hameed Nizami (RA) with an identical zest, the distinguished and daring soul have had vis-à-vis the journalistic doctrine. Not simply that, Mr. Majeed Nizami has taken ‘The Nation’ and ‘Nawa-e-Waqt’ to the zeniths of fantastic altitudes. That is why — every-one — who once gazes at the publications of the ‘Nawa-e-Waqt’ Group stays affixed — without any fluctuations in any environ or in any style.

Majority of the readers considers — all these publications as inspiring and melodious — and as a role-model in projecting the Ideology of Pakistan as well as for taking the dilemmas of the deprived masses onto the desks of all those who are supposed to be the assiduous figures — sitting at the top of the Hills, blessed with full authority for taking care of the ‘Have-nots’, side-by-side the ‘Affluent-ones’ — at-once.

Mr. Majeed Nizami has set off yet another genial — yet challenging task by articulating an Institution — the PIP — as its’ originator and architect for the eventual good of the youth, having leaning towards journalism in the country, Its’ alike a real and rational service — only a sound, cogent and coherent clairvoyant with vast backdrop can think-of.

We thank you, Mr. Nizami for providing a Think-Tank, overtly in line with the international standards, to the budding minds — that are to steer and escort — the upright profession of journalism — in all shapes, the print, electronic and E-medium — for all times to come. With the holding of the Seminar on E-Journalism, we feel self-assured that PIP’s back-up to this mode of news and views circulation shall get still more momentum under the aegis of the Institute — expectantly with its' chief's magnified personal support and guidance — intact.

Simultaneously, we wish to call upon global organizations, dealing with the media affairs — with the United Nations — atop to get involved in the enthusiastic mission of the Press Institute of Pakistan [PIP] — with optimal fiscal assistance [even if Mr. Majeed Nizami and Mr. Arif Nizami wouldn’t go for such a course] — to make this organization [PIP] still more strong to grip its plans for the promotion of journalism in this part of the globe — as a glorious future of this planet rests with this vocation — in multiple ways.

This Institute [PIP]  —  which, by its’ own impressive and judicious point of view, has already initiated a vital subject [the prospects and potentials of E-Journalism in Pakistan] — for the ultimate benefit of the generations to come  —  perceptibly with a swear to stay-intact till all the goals of the significant topic  —  are achieved, in full.

We wish you all the best — the PIP chief, Mr. Majeed Nizami, the APNS President, Mr. Arif Nizami, the Director, Mr. Absar Abdul Ali and, in fact every-one associated with PIP in accomplishing all the treasured and paramount targets  —  you have envisioned for enunciation of a matchless journalistic styles in Pakistan  —  as excellent as anywhere around the Orb.●