Monday 29 October 2012

DAWN TV a brief crititcal analysis


1. Introduction to Dawn News
Dawn News is Pakistan's 24 hour Urdu news channel. The channel is based in Karachi where the head office is located. The channel Dawn News is a subsidiary of Pakistan Herald Publications Limited (PHPL), which is Pakistan's largest English language media group. The test transmission of the station occurred on May 25, 2007, and the channel went live on July 23, 2007. On May 15, 2010, Dawn News converted into an Urdu news channel after successful test transmission of four hours a day. The conversion was due to its financial crisis and thin viewership in the country as most people in Pakistan could not understand English. Now Express 24/7 replaced it as the Pakistan's only English news channel for a brief time, which was also then shut down by Express Media Group for financial reasons.

2. Ownership of Dawn Media Group
The Dawn Media Group is the trading name of Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd a Pakistani media company. It started using this trading name in 2008 "to reflect the Group's transformation from a publisher of newspapers and magazines into a powerful multimedia group" (from a 2011 corporate brochure).
The Karachi based group is owned by the powerful Haroon and Saigol families. It's CEO is Hameed Haroon, and its chairman is Amber Haroon Saigol, daughter of the previous chairman Mahmoud Haroon and the 11th richest individual in Pakistan in 1993 (the only year that the Pakistani government has published the wealth of the country's richest citizens). A list over the 40 richest families in Pakistan, published in 2006, ranks the Saigol family as the sixth richest and the Haroons and the 16th richest.

3. Popularity of Dawn News
Dawn News' Test Transmission was launched by former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf. The complete launch of the channel coincided with the result of the Supreme Court case which cleared the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for his judicial campaign as a result of his suspension by General Pervez Musharraf. The channel was initially housed in Haroon House, the head-office of PHPL, but later moved to its current premises in West Wharf, Karachi.

4. Structure
The Dawn Media Group covers three areas: print media (organised as a separate division called Dawn Group of Newspapers), broadcast media, and internet media:

Print media: Dawn, its flagship newspaper. The Star, an evening newspaper. Herald, a current affairs monthly. Spider, a monthly Internet magazine. Aurora, a marketing and advertising bi-monthly

Broadcast media:  Dawn News, 24-hour news channel, broadcasting in English 2007-2010, but since 2010 in Urdu. City FM 89, a music radio channel

Internet media: Dawn.com, a news web site

Exhibitions: Dawn Education Expo, annually education festival

5. History
The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah launched the Dawn newspaper in the 1940s- it is the oldest English language newspaper in Pakistan. The Dawn Media Network launched DawnNews, Pakistan’s first English language news and current affairs television channel, according to DawnNews they vow to "provide its viewers with a medium that is responsible, credible and balanced.

After a brief test transmission, the channel went live on July 23, 2007. Over past three years the channel has established its fame being the most credible voice in the murky pool of electronic media, in Pakistan.

Probably, the most talented and hard working journalists of present time have been associated with the channel since the beginning. Some of them left to pursue their career in the same profession. Nonetheless, with superb hard-work and dedicated they converted the dream into a reality.

Keeping in view the public demand, Dawn News has decided to launch a separate Urdu news channel. But before launching the separate channel, it has started a three-hour Urdu transmission within its English channel’s airtime. The purpose is to get valuable feedback from the viewers. So far the feedback is tremendous.

Dawn News has broken a number of big stories. It was Dawn News which exclusively broadcast the footage of the assassin of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. It was Dawn News that got official confirmation from Pakistan that lone surviving gunman of Mumbai terror attacks – Ajmal Kasab – was a Pakistani.

Besides, Dawn News has covered major events including Lal Masjid operation, lawyers’ movement, military operations in tribal areas and 2008 general elections. Most of the time, the channel beat its rivals despite limited resources.

Dawn News transmission is watched in all urban areas of Pakistan. It also has access to the rural population, wherever the cable reaches. DawnNews is in agreement with several satellite TV channels, which include BBC World, Sky News, ABC News and Al-Jazeera and can be watched in the US, Europe, Middle East and Africa. In U.K. it can be accessed through Sky cable at Channel 845.

Programs of Dawn News in 2012
· KHABARDAAR
· Khabrain
· News Night with Talat
· Mast Mornings with Maira
· Equinox
· A Taste of Fusion
· The First Blast
· No Reservations
· Sport Zone
· Maximum Masala
· Doosri Kahani
· Reporter
· Raid
· Mano ya Na Mano

Dawn News presents comprehensive and analytical news bulletins, covering stories from all over Pakistan and provides relevant and timely updates minute by minute. At DawnNews, we ensure the provision of clear, accurate and reliable information.
Our bulletins also give you exclusive investigative and follow-up reports put together by our team of seasoned journalists.

1. Dawn News keeps you updated with the latest headlines every hour on the hour.
Headlines throughout the day. Dawn News keeps you updated every hour on the hour with its news bulletins.

2. News at 2 is your late night news roundup bulletin that gives you the details of the previous day’s events. EVERYDAY at 02:00 PST

3. News at 6 is your early morning news bulletin that provides international and local coverage of the current and previous day’s events. EVERYDAY at 06:00 PST

4. News at 8 sets the agenda for the entire day and helps you start your day on the right note. EVERYDAY at 08:00 PST

5. News at Noon is your mid-day bulletin that brings you news as it happens. EVERYDAY at 12:00 PST

6. News at 3 is your afternoon bulletin that keeps you abreast of the day’s events. EVERYDAY at 15:00 PST

7. News at 6 is your evening news roundup bulletin that sums up the events of the entire day. EVERYDAY at 18:00 PST

8. News at 9 is a comprehensive, prime time news bulletin that provides minute by minute updates and reviews of major events taking place in Pakistan and across the globe. EVERYDAY at 21:00 PST

9. News at 11 wraps up the entire day’s events, providing you with insightful and detailed updates. EVERYDAY at 23:00 PST

News night with Talat
Based on a Journalist’s opinion who is known for his investigative journalism. He has traveled from Waziristan to the West Bank Palestine for exclusive scoops and news.  Airing Time: Monday – Friday 10:05 PM

Target Point
Asma Chaudhry targets the political and social issues that affect the daily lives of the people of Pakistan. Asking clear cut, sharp and piercing questions of decision-makers, Asma homes into the heart of the issue to get you the answers you deserve. Airing Day: MONDAY-FRIDAY 11:05 PM


Introduction to Mass Communication



Contents
•         Introduction
•         What is communication?
•         Definitions of different scholars.
•         Conceptualizing Communication
•         Points of Convergence and Divergence by Katharine Miller
•         Points of convergence and Diversions from definitions of different scholars
•         References


Introduction

The term communication in derived from the Latin word “commnus” that means “common” and is used in reference to community. The word communication itself relates to the same family as it develops a society. Communication is a social interaction through “symbols” and “message”. It does not refer to verbal explicit and intentional transmission of message alone. We can say that communication is a process of giving or exchange information signals or message as by talk gestures or writing.

What is Communication?

Communication is the transfer of information from person to person, creature to creature or point to point. Communication may be in the form of sound transmission for example human speech, the beating of drum, bird calls or the slap of beaver’s tail on the water to warn for an approaching danger. It may also be in the form that requires sight for example writing, pictures, signal flags, gestures or the dance of the honey bee to signify to the other bees in the hive that it has found a source of pollen or it may be in a form that requires the utilization of the other senses.

Communication requires a sender and a receiver, thus the communication can occur across vast distances in time and distance which shares a communication commonality. It is shaped into a process of exchange of information covered over steps and parts.

Nature of communication varies widely and it covers many different opinions, which contradicts with variable steps involved in communication. Information itself can have a lot of different concepts depending on the context and circumstances.

People often mix the concept of information in communication and the medium to transfer it as the same to distinguish between the both we need to understand that information can be words, gestures, drawings, paintings, songs, music, symbols, sounds etc. While the medium allowing the flow of information can be speeches, blogs, emails, microphones, cell phones, forums, newspapers, televisions, radios, internet and just about anything that allows your contact with somebody that may receive information.

Definitions of Communication by Scholars and Authors

Communication is defined by various scholars, authors and educationists differently according to their understanding, perceptions and studies. Following are some definitions for communication.
• “Communication is the verbal interchange of thought or idea” (Hoben, 1954).
• “Communication is the process by which we understand others and in turn endeavor to be understood by them. It is dynamic, constantly changing and shifting in response to the total situation” (Anderson, 1959).
• “Communication: the transmission of information, idea, emotion, skills, etc., by the use of symbols-words, pictures, figures, graphs, etc. It is the act or process of transmission that is usually called communication” (Berelson and Steiner, 1964).
• “Every communication act is viewed as a transmission of information, consisting of discriminative stimuli, from a source to a recipient” (Newcomb, reprinted 1966).
• “In the main, communication has as its central interest those behavioral situations in which a source transmits a message to a receiver(s) with conscious intent to affect the latter’s behaviors” (George A. Miller, 1966).
• “the word communication includes all the procedures by which one mind affects the other” (Clauds Shanon and Warren Weaver)
• “The mechanism through which human relations exists and develop. All the symbols of the mind together with the means of conveying them through space and preserving them in time.” (Charles Colley)
• “The communication process is one of transition from one structured situation-as-a-whole to another, in preferred design” (Sondel, 1956).
• “Communication is the mechanism by which power is exerted” (Schacter, 1951).
• “In the most general sense we have communication whenever one system (source) influences another (destination) by manipulation alternative signals, which can be transmitted over channel connecting them.” (Charles E. O. S. Good)

Conceptualizing Communication

Communication is a part of nature. It is the activity of conveying sets of information that affects others. In order to develop communication you need to have a sender (the source of your information) and a receiver (that accepts the information). Receiver regardless of understanding the intentions of others accepts the information and responds accordingly and variably.

A medium allows you to understand and receive information in a much better way; it enhances your understanding, which is a primary need of human nature. Developing an understanding is a must and only communication allows it to occur. Points of convergence and divergence suggested by Katherine Miller

Points of Convergence:
• Communication is a process.
• Communication is transactional.
• Communication is symbolic.

Points of Divergence:
• Communication is a social activity.
• Communication is intentional.

Points of convergence and diversions from definitions of different scholars

Points of Convergence:

Communication is interactive
Reduces uncertainty
It’s dynamic
It’s a versatile process
It’s proactive
Communication is non-static
It’s grounded in perspectives
It’s symbolic
Communication creates commonness
Transmission
Communication proactive not passive

Points of Divergence:

Understanding
Intentional
Verbal
Constant
Social interaction
Art
Observation
Passive
Transfer of information.



References

Theories of human communication by Little John.
www.shkaminski.com/Classes/Handouts/Definitions%20of%20Communication.htm
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication.
www.people-communicating.com/what-is-communication.html
www.wiki.answers.com/Q/How_is_communication_defined_by_different_scholars_and_communicators


Investigative Reporting



Investigative Reporting

                                                    Definition and Process

 

What is investigative reporting?

¢  In the old-fashioned sense, investigative reporting is simply good reporting.

 

As a type of reporting, investigative journalism is ...

¢  In-depth, long-term research & reporting

¢  Documentary research and use of public and private records, following the paper trail

¢  Extensive interviewing

¢  Crime-solving tools and methods (undercover reporting, hidden cameras, surveillance)

¢  Revealing information others want to keep secret or information not known to the public

 

Investigative reporting is also ...

¢  belief in the watchdog role of the media

¢  focus on the accountability of institutions and individuals wielding power

¢  the journalism of outrage: belief in the power of the media to catalyze reforms

 

Finally, investigative reporting is...

¢  determined

¢  patient

¢  careful

¢  fair

 

Investigative reporting is a process: Working from the outside in

 

Most often, investigative reporting involves investigating wrongdoing by individuals or institutions.

¢  Who is responsible for the wrongdoing?

¢  How was it done?

¢  What are the consequences?

¢  What can be done about it?

 

How to tell the difference

¢  Investigative reports often take a longer time to research.

¢  They reveal new information, not just the results of someone else’s investigation.

¢  They are based largely on documents and extensive interviews.

 

A hypothesis is a theory or premise to start your investigation.

      Example: From 1995 to 1998, Mayor X received bribes from road contractors in the form of commissions ranging from 20 to 30 percent of the project cost.

 

The Investigative Trail

¢  The Paper Trail: Documents

¢  The Human Trail: Interviews

¢  The Electronic Trail: The use of computers and the Internet for research and reporting

¢  Field Work: Onsite inspections

 

Why invest in investigative reporting?

Investigative reporting makes an impact by ….

¢  Reversing policy

¢  Causing the resignation/firing of erring officials

¢  Focusing attention previously neglected issues & areas

¢  Enriching public debate


Investigative reporting also…

¢  Helps sell newspapers and news programs.

¢  Widens the scope of journalistic freedom and opens new avenues of access to information.

¢  Enhances the capacity of the media to play a watchdog role.


Investigative reporting is a process…

¢  First Lead or Tip

¢  Sniff or Initial Investigation

¢  Forming an investigative hypothesis.

 

Investigating Estrada
First Lead: How we began

¢   We got reports from that fancy mansions were being built for mistresses of the President. Most of the reports came from residents of the areas where these houses were located.

¢  There were persistent rumors of big amounts of money being given to the President in exchange for government contracts.

¢  There were reports that mistresses of the President were involved in various businesses.

 

A hypothesis is a theory or a premise to focus an investigation

¢   EXAMPLE: Since his election to the presidency in 1998, Estrada has accumulated wealth and built fancy mansions that cannot be explained by his statement of assets and what he earns as president.

 

The investigative trail

(Make a strategy for the investigation)

¢  The Paper Trail: Documents

¢  The Human Trail: Interviews

¢  The Electronic Trail: The use of computers and the Internet for research and reporting

¢  Field Work

 

Our strategy was to find documentary proof that the mansions were for Estrada and of the extent of the business involvements of his wives and children.

¢  Search of corporate records: Look for companies in which wives, children and Estrada were listed as shareholders or board members.

¢  Search of land records: Look for registered owners of houses being built or recently purchased.

 

Strategy of investigation

¢   Match acquisitions of companies and property with what Estrada officially declared in his statement of assets.

¢  Interview knowledgeable sources: neighbors, associates, lawyers, architects, builders and suppliers

 

What we Found from Corporate Search:

¢  Estrada  and his families are listed as board members of 66 corporations. Most of the companies were formed after he became vice president.  Since he assumed the presidency, a dozen others were established. 

¢  The assets of 14 companies alone total more than P600 M (about $13 M).

¢  But in 1999, Estrada declared a net worth of P35.8M ($790,000) and a net income of P2.3M ($51,000)

 

Our search of land records and interviews with various sources showed…

¢  Since 1998, individuals or companies appearing to be fronting for President Estrada or his family members acquired of 17 properties in Metro Manila, Tagaytay and Baguio.

¢  According to our estimates, these properties add up to about P2 billion ($44 million).

 

Most of these properties were acquired by businessmen very close to the President…

¢  Dante Tan

¢  Jaime Dichaves

¢  Lucio Co

¢  Mark Jimenez

¢  Jacinto Ng

¢  Jose Luis Yulo

¢  Ramon Ang

 

We found a pattern of corporate layering and the formation of shell companies.

 

Key Skills for Investigative Reporters

¢  Interviewing

¢  Observing

¢  Chasing Documents

 

Useful Tips

¢  Know the law

¢  Know the procedures

¢  Focus your research

¢  Follow the money

¢  Just keep digging

 

Review of Process

¢   First Lead, Tip or Hunch

¢   Sniff

¢   Form an Investigative Hypothesis

¢   Follow the Investigative Trail: Paper, People and Electronic Trails

¢   Organize information

¢   Fill in the Gaps: More data or interviews

¢   Write the Report

¢   Fact Check

¢   Libel Check



Fall of Dhaka



Fall of Dhaka

A brief introduction:

Islamic Republic of Pakistan came into being on 14 Aug. 1947 as the biggest Islamic state of the world. Pakistan comprised of two parts at that time i.e. East Pakistan (presently Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (present Pakistan). But unfortunately Pakistan lost this honor of being the biggest Islamic state of the world on 16 Dec 1971 with the loss of East Pakistan.

History:

These were some of the important facts about new born Pakistan in 1947.in 1947 Pakistan had a population of 740000 and it was divided in two big parts geographically.
Element
East Pakistan
West Pakistan
Population
4, 20, 63,000 (about 56 %)
3, 37, 79,000 (about 44%)
Area
55,000 square miles
3,10,000 square miles
Important crops
Rice, Jute, Tea Pineapple, Coconut
Cotton, Tobacco, Wheat, Corn
Major languages
Bangla
Urdu, Sindhi, Pashto, Punjabi etc.
weather
hot and humid, 88 inches annual rains
hot and moderate, 12 inches annual rains

Reasons for fall of Dhaka:

There are so many reasons, so many factors involved in this sad and tragic incident, here we will throw light on some following reasons;

Forgotten Islamic ideology:

Pakistan was the only ideological country that was formed on an ideology. This ideology, the ideology of Islam played a vital role in Pakistan movement and it was the only force that helped Muslims of sub continent to achieve their homeland in such a short period of time. But unfortunately after the formation of Pakistan this bond of brotherhood continuously went downward and no serious steps were taken to increase bond of love between the people of two parts of the country.

Geographical and cultural differences:

While evaluating the reasons of fall of Dhaka a historian can not ignore this bitter reality that both parts of country had a distance of about 1000 miles between them and a cunning enemy India was laying between the two parts. Apart from that people living in both part s of Pakistanwere very much different from each other in their life style .poor people of East Pakistanwere different in their way of living form the people of west Pakistan. Theirdressing, their food everything was different and moreover there was no connection between the two parts of the country, people from WestPakistanusually ridiculed and made fun of the living standards of east Pakistanis. This was one of the main reasons of the hatred between two parts of country.

Role of Bureaucracy:

From the very first day after the formation of Pakistan bureaucracy gained unreasonable power in the country. Bureaucracy was most powerful in English reign and it kept its previous practice of doing whatever it wanted to do in new Pakistan as well. They practiced their powers with so much cleverness that some of them reached very important posts for example Malik Ghulam Mohammad and Sikandar Mirza who never contested any election became the head of the state. They practice their powers in such a way that even Quaid -E-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnahcouldn’t have used them.
Unfortunately majority of CSP class was from Punjab and Bengal had a very limited membership in this class, due to which they were fascinated by this propagandathat people from Punjab are treating us as a their colony

Discrimination in military and civil bureaucracy in joint Pakistan:

Military:

Designation
East Pakistan
West Pakistan
Lieutenant General
0
3
Major General
0
20
Brigadier
1
34
Colonel
1
49
Major
10
590
Navy officers
7
593
Air force officers
40
640

Civil bureaucracy:

Designation
East Pakistan
West Pakistan
Secretary
0
19
Joint Secretary
3
38
Deputy Secretary
10
123
Under Secretary
38
510

 Influence of Hindus in East Pakistan:

In East Pakistan Hindus were not only dominant in economy but also in government jobs. Lawyers and think tanks were also from Hindus, they were affiliated with Indian national congress and migrated to Pakistan and always created disturbance according to the wishes of our enemy India. They had never accepted the formation of Pakistan from heart. This 4 % population of Hindus in Bengal was working day and night to cut Bengal from Pakistan ad ultimately they succeeded.

Role of Hindu teachers in East Pakistan:

Unfortunately Bengali Muslims were lagging behind in education and majority of school and college teachers in Bengal was from Hindus who tried their best to urge the youth of Bengal to revolt against the ideology of Pakistan and guided them to fight for their “freedom” from Pakistan.

Lack of national leadership:

One of the major reasons for Pakistan’s deplorable condition in these 65 years is that Pakistan lacked in a sincere and true leadership after Quid-e-AzamMuhammad ali Jinnah. This deficiency of national leadership also played its part in fall of Dhaka. The Muslim league leaders had failed badly. They were unaware of the problems of public and there co ordination with each other was zero. This in difference of leaders of Muslim league towards Bengali people left really bad effects on the sensitive public of Bengal.

Economic conditions of East Pakistan:

East Pakistan was always less developed and it always lagged behind as far as economic condition was concerned. Before partition people from Bengal used to think that Hindus industrialist was the main reason of their economic backwardness but unfortunately after patrician no serious step was could be taken to eradicate smuggling from east Bengal. There was a huge difference between per capital income and the general economic standards of east and West Pakistan and there was no effort made to bridge this gape as well. As a result east Bengal remained economically backward and selfish elements converted in inferiority complex of east Bengalis into hatred against the west Pakistanis.

Provincial Prejudice:

Ideally speaking Pakistan should have formed its constitution with in one or two years after its coming into being, So that all the emotion of national unity which were present at that time could have been maintained. But unfortunately we could not even decide the basic principles and rules for our country in 1st nine years which created provincial prejudice and so many other miss understandings between two parts of the country. This provincial prejudice played a vital rule in Pakistan’s disintegration.

President Ayub’ martial law:

Ayub khan’s so called firm government closed down all those safety valves which helped the politicians to be aware of the critical situation of EastPakistanpermanent state of emergency in the country always supported beauracracy which always suppressed the public. This gave birth to the gutter politics and created hatred in hearts of the public of EastPakistan.

Language differences:

The first ever attack on the national unity of Pakistan was the language conflict which permanently divided Pakistan in two parts this problem arouse in 1948 for the first time when Quaid-E-Azam wasalivebut at that time this issue did not take that much importance, but after Quaid E Azam this issue again arose and this time there was no national leader who could handle this problem. The conflict was simple. Bengali was the language of 56 % of Pakistani population and they logically and justifiably wanted Bangla to be the national language but official always insisted on having Urdu and only Urdu as national language which was spoken only by 12% of Pakistani population. Ultimately both Bengali and Urdu were taken as national languages but the damage now had been done.

Formation of one unit:

In beginning Pakistan had four provinces, Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and Bengal, but population in these provinces was not balanced. More than half of the total population lived in one province and always demanded for their share in National Assembly and Senate on the basis of population and this was one of the biggest obstacles in the formation of a constitution as well. Law makers resolved this issue by combing all the provinces of West Pakistan in one big unit and declaring it half of the country on 14 Oct. 1955. Now Pakistan had only two provinces east and WestPakistan. But Bengalis never accepted this decision as they were deprived of their due right of representation in assemblies by this formation.

Six points of Sheikh Mujeeb Urehman:

Sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman was the only recognized leader of East Pakistan at the time of disintegration of Pakistan he was one of the main characters involved in fall of Dhaka. He presented his controversial six points in 1966; these six points played a vital role in separation of Bengal,
First enunciated on February 12, 1966, the six points are as below:
1. The Constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in the true sense on the basis of the Lahore Resolution and for a parliamentary form of government based on the supremacy of a directly elected legislature on the basis of universal adult franchise.
2. The Federal Government shall deal with only two subjects; Defense and Foreign Affairs. All residuary subjects will be vested in the federating states.
3. There should be either two separate, freely convertible currencies for the two Wings, or one currency with two separate reserve banks to prevent inter-Wing flight of capital.
4. The power of taxation and revenue collection shall be vested in the federating units. The Federal Government will receive a share to meet its financial obligations.
5. Economic disparities between the two Wings shall disappear through a series of economic, fiscal, and legal reforms.
6. A militia or paramilitary force must be created in East Pakistan, which at present has no defense of it own.
Basically he suggested for a confederation in the cover of provincial autonomy and started propagating against the federation of Pakistan and ultimately broke it.

Agartala conspiracy:

In Dec 1967 a conspiracy of kidnapping and killing of GeneralAyubwas reveled after some days another conspiracy was caught. This was the Agartala conspiracy. According to government reports India’s first secretaryOjha and some leaders ofAwami League were planning to disintegrate Bengal from Pakistan and for that purpose they were holding talks on bringing the ammunition in Bengal.in this accusation sheikh Mujeeb was arrested but unfortunately its effects came really bad as Mujeeb became hero of the Bengalis and later on he was released.

Bhutto, Mujeeb and Yahya triangle:

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman, and General Yahya, this triangle undoubtedly is the biggest factor in fall of Dhaka. Pakistan could have been united today if these three had thought of national interest and not of their own personal interests. Yahya wanted to remain president and for that he was ready to do anything, Bhutto wanted his share in government by giving the concept of second largest party and Mujeeb also showed rigidity in his attitude, and thisresulted in the fall of Dhaka

Military operation of Takka Khan:

When Yahya khan showed hesitation in calling the assembly for its first meeting after elections, unrest and frustration arose in East Pakistan but instead of talking it out Yahya ordered for a military operation, general Takka khan conducted the notorious operation and thousands of innocent people were killed, this really added to the hatred of Bengali people

High jacking of Ganga plane:

India knew that East Pakistan is at the distance of 1000 miles from West Pakistan so they started planning against Pakistan. Indiaplayed a clever trick and got on of its planes high jacked by its own agentsand made it land on Pakistani soil. Later on they accused Pakistan for itshigh jacking and banned all Pakistani planes to fly over Indian air way, by doing this they practically cut off West Pakistan from East Pakistan

Flood in East Pakistan:

As stated earlier Bengal was a damp area where more than 88 inches average rains were recorded annually, it was common for Bengal to face huge floods and thunderstorms. A huge flood hit Bengal in 1970 as well. It could have been a blessing in disguise if Pakistani rulers had helped out the poor Bengalis at that time the hatred could have been minimized a lot but they showed their conventional indifference and it proved fatal ultimately. 5 lac people died and it ruined Pakistan’s unity as well

Elections of 1970:

In 1970 Pakistan observed the only fair elections of its history. Awami league won in East Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party in West Pakistan. But no party could win even a single seat from other part of country. This fair election was indigestible for Pakistani public and transfer of poor could not be made. Ultimately the rope was broken in this cat fight and Pakistan was divided

Continuous Indian intervention:

India has been the biggest enemy of Pakistan from day 1. it has never accepted Pakistan and always tried to destabilize Pakistan, it played the most important role in Pakistan ‘loss of Bengal, it kept its continuous intervention in East Pakistan, sometimes by its agents and Mukti Bahini and sometimes by its paid members in the national assembly ofPakistan. India always used this weakness of ours to exploit the Kashmir issue and ultimately defeated Pakistan in 1971

Indian attack on East Pakistan:

After weakening Pakistan in every field when India felt that now Pakistan is weak enough to be defeated, it attacked Pakistan directly on 24th Nov. 1971. Pakistan army resisted this attack for a month or so but it was very difficult for army to fight without air support and its public. UltimatelyPakistan armyin spite of recording great gestures of bravery surrendered on 16 Dec 1971 and was defeated at the hands of Indian army

Role of foreign super powers:

If we look at the political scenario of that time we feel that USA and USSR in order to cover china wanted Pakistan to be cut short. For this purpose they found East Pakistan the best possible way to be cut away from Pakistan and American ambassador Joseph Farland seemedreally busy at that time with Pakistan issue, America also refused to give Pakistan the ammunition or any kind of support in spite of being itsally.

Pakistan’s emotional attitude in Security Council session:

Even after all these factors there was a possibility that the war could have been resolved according to the resolutions of UNO and we could have avoided the embarrassment of surrendering before India but Pakistan’s emotional attitude in UNO proved to be the last nail in the coffin and we lost more than half of our country on 17 Dec 1971

After war effects of war of 1971:

Ø  We practically lost 55% of our country
Ø  Over 90 thousand Pakistani military and civil personals were imprisoned.
Ø  New stories of tyranny over Bengalis were written.
Ø  Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came to power in remaining Pakistan.
Ø  A commission under supervision of Chief Justice of Pakistan justice Hamood Urehman was formed to investigate the factors involved in fall of Dhaka, but its report could never have been published.
Ø  There was a huge wave of disappointment and tension among Pakistanis as no one could believe that we had lost the war as well as half of our country.
Ø  On 2nd July 1972 Pakistan lost another war, this time on table buy signing Simla Pact.

Simla pact:

These were the points included in Simla pact;
(i) That the principles and purposes off the Charter of the United Nations shall govern the relations between the countries;
(ii) That the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation nor shall both prevent the organization, assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations.
(iii) That the pre-requisite for reconciliation, good-neighborliness and durable peace between them is a commitment by both countries to peaceful co-existence, respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;
(iv) That the basic issues and causes of conflict which have bedeviled the relations between the two countries of the last twenty-five years shall be resolved by peaceful means;
(v) That they shall always respect each other's national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality;
(vi) That in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, they shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of each other;
(II) Both Governments will take all steps within their power to prevent hostile propaganda directed against each other.
Both countries will encourage the dissemination of such information as would promote the development of friendly relations between them;
(III) In order progressively to restore and normalize relations between the two countries step by step, it was agreed that;
(i) Steps shall be taken to resume communications, postal, telegraphic, sea, land including border posts, and air links including over flights;
(ii) Appropriate steps shall be taken to promote travel facilities for the nationals of the other country;
(iii) Trade and co-operation in economic and other agreed fields will be resumed as far as possible;
(iv) Exchange in the fields of science and culture will be promoted.
In this connection delegations from the two countries will meet from time to time to work out the necessary details.
(IV) In order to initiate the process of the establishment of durable peace, both Governments agree that:
(i) Indian and Pakistani forces shall be withdrawn to their side of the international border;
(ii) In Jammu and Kashmir, the line of control resulting from the cease-fire of December 17, 1971 shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognized position of either side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat of the use of force in violation of this line;
(iii) The withdrawals shall commence upon entry into force of this Agreement and shall be completed within a period of thirty days thereof.
(V) This Agreement will be subject to ratification by both countries in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures, and will come into force with effect from the date on which the Instruments of Ratification are exchanged.
(VI) Both Governments agree that their respective Heads will meet again at a mutually convenient time in the future and that, in the meanwhile, the representatives of the two sides will meet to discuss further the modalities and arrangements for the establishment of a durable peace and normalization of relations, including the questions of repatriation of prisoners of war and civilian internees, a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir and the resumption of diplomatic relations.

Timeline of fall of Dhaka:

Event
Year
Linguistic violence
1952
Elections in East Pakistan
1954
Formation of one unit
14 Oct. 1955
First martial law
7 Oct. 1958
Mujeeb Urehman’s six points
1966
Agartala conspiracy
Dec 1967
End of One Unit
1st April 1970
Legal Framework Order(L.F.O)
29 mar 1970
Flood in East Pakistan
Aug 1970
General Elections
Dec 1970
Takka Khans’s operation
26 mar 1971
High jacking of Ganga Plane
30 Jan 1971
“Dhaka is a butcher house” (Bhutto)
18 Feb. 1971
Indo Pak war
21 Nov 1971
Fall of Dhaka
16 Dec 1971
Shimla conference
2 July 1972

Important characters involved in fall of Dhaka:

General Ayub Khan
Chief Martial Law Administrator, President of Pakistan 1962-69, Chief of Army Staff
General Yahya Khan
Chief Martial Law Administrator, President of Pakistan 1969-71, Chief of Army Staff
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
A feudal lord from Sindh, founder of Peoples party ,Prime Minister of Pakistan 1973-77
Sheikh Mujeeb Urehman
Head of Awami League, Bangladesh’s first President and then Prime Minister
General Takka Khan
Military Governor of East Pakistan , conducted the notorious military operation in East Pakistan
General A.K Niazi
Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator, Chief Commanding Officer of East Pakistan
General Jagjit Singh Aroura
Indian Chief Commanding officer of Eastern zone
Indra Gandhi
Only daughter of JawaharLaaal Nehru, Prime Minister of India 1966-1977 and again in 1980-84

Conclusion:

Ø  16 December 1971 is so far the darkest and most hurting day of our history
Ø  Have we learnt any lesson from this tragic incident?
Ø  God Forbid if we are moving towards another fall? Fall of Quetta?
Ø  There is only one point in this critical evaluation that Bengal was not separated from us, we separated it with our own “hard work