During the meeting, the two officials also discussed the situation in Afghanistan. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that regulatory regimes needed to be made more flexible so that Pakistani channels could be viewed in India.
Talking to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zee TV Subhash Chandra, the Prime Minister urged for a relaxation of laws to facilitate media outlets and reach out to a maximum number of people in India and Pakistan.
He said that media had the power of bringing the citizens of India and Pakistan together.
"Media is the most effective tool for shaping perceptions," Nawaz asserted.
Mentioning the possibility of a dedicated "Education TV", he said media in developing countries should serve constructive purposes.
Chandra appreciated Nawaz for the warm gesture and added that he would play his role in enabling the two countries to achieve peace and stability.
Nawaz had earlier said that Pakistan wants better relations with all countries and that it had revived backdoor diplomacy with India. Sharif had made the statement during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
During the meeting, the two officials had discussed the situation in Afghanistan. They had discussed the role of Pakistan in Afghanistan in light of the forthcoming withdrawal of American forces.
Nawaz had assured that Pakistan would encourage peace.
COMMENTS (56)
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I doubt you've seen Geo, Geo Entertainment or Dunya. I also like Samaa and Channel 4. I've happened to watch many Indian channels, NDTV, DD, a few Telugu channels.
Suffice it to say, your superiority complex is unwarranted. Get over yourself buddy. Open your eyes.
Remember that play Bakra Qiston Pey from a decade back that was very popular in India and originated in Pakistan? Same way, my grandmother is a big fun of some Indian shows. Mutual exchange in this form benefits understanding and harkens peace. And please, watch Star Plus for a minute. I will excuse my partition era grandmother due to age and generational gap, but the ''pride'' of your TV entertainment is absolutely pathetic rubbish. Pakistani drama serials have moved on. You may enjoy something that doesn't revolve around how A couldn't marry B because of C (a common if not universal theme on those shows)
Kudos
Indians already have 800 + TV Channels to watch at present, more and more Indian and english channels are added up almost daily. Our regional channels are far better than Pakistani channels both technology wise and content wise. So please we Indians are not interested in your TV programs.
I'd love for Pakistani entertainment channels to be shown in India but Pakistani and Indian news channels are just the same, sensationalized desi versions of fox news, being in the UK I get to see Indian news channels as well as Pakistani and it feels like both countries are fighting a war via these news channels, the anti-Pakistani and Anti-Indian rubbish these anchors spew out will not help the peace process.
But I think the Indians would love to watch our cooking shows and dramas! So I approve if it's entertainment channels!
@Iram: The problem is not India (which has, by the way, never engaged in terrorism acts anywhere) but Pakistan which still treasures its "strategic assets" and refuses to put the culprits in Pakistan on trial. Indeed, Pakistani jalads have gone into a frenzy when they heard the lone-wolf cry of a disgruntled Indian official who even blamed the Indian Govt. of carrying out the Mumbai carnage, though all evidence (forensic, tangible, circumstantial and otherwise) pointed towards Pakistn as the culprit. You may jump in glee (as most conspiracy theorists do in Pakistan) at this horrendous and incredibly fictitious allegation, and interpret it as the gospel truth -- any sane person with some common sense would ask why would the Indian Govt. "orchestrate" the Mumbai carnage that took toll of so many innocent lives of its citizens or, for that matter, on the Indian parliament which was in session with the Indian prime minister and several cabinet members in it? -- to counter India's, and the world's, steadfast contention that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism and religious extremism and that, as many neutral and international persons and agencies have said, Pakistan is behind the Mumbai attacks. If you have any objectivity and intellectual honesty in you, you will appreciate this conclusion based on hard evidence. If you don't, then let me not wake you up from your snooze in a fool's paradise!
just heard zaid hamid on you tube.really very good suggestions on latest 15 july you tube post. brilliant suggestions to control terrorism, plz recommend& elect him as next president of pakistan.he may not become prime minister as he wished, but we do believe the golden age of islam or khilafat e rishtaa is not far off. best of luck to sir zaid& the great public of pakistan.. greatest personality of pak- after quaid-e-azam,mr. mohd.ali jinnah. very very bright future... best of luck once again..
@Asif Butt: Of AluChat & Gumraah: Two-three posters had questioned the need for "back door" interaction between India & Pakistan. The phrase, when duly punned, is both graphic & connotative & thus the crude chap mentioned the Biblical cities in an attempt at low-brow sarcasm. Those that are taking up the gay-cause admirably should know that it's offensive to gays! That apart, it is quite insulting to both countries. Of course, while some are sensitive & some are immune to insults, many are plain daft. Not worth being bothered about, IMO.
@bbb: The pun is as intentional as Umer's.
BTW the name Zee TV does bring some gold old memories from 1990s, it was India's first ever private channel and most among us grew up watching some of its great shows.
"Mentioning the possibility of a dedicated “Education TV”, he said media in developing countries should serve constructive purposes." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In a country where YouTube is blocked?
@Strategic Asset:
If you do not have the intellectual ability (or time ) to understand what was objectionable in AluChat's comment , then it does not mean that the only remaining reason for my objection is that I took it personally.
@It Is (still) Economy Stupid:
You said : "..When Muslim expect others to accept them as they are than it is obligation upon Muslims and other minorities to extend the same courtesy to other minority regardless whether you agree with them or not..."
What does the comment of Strategic Asset combined with your google'ing of what ALuChat wrote has to do with you giving lecture as to what is obligatory upon Muslims based on their expectations ?
From where does the topic of this article change to homosexuality and the Islamic world ?
@Strategic Asset: Respect. Well said. People are interpreting words narrowly and also ignoring the change of meaning of words based on the context.
True sodomy word is derived from it but it does not mean the same word. When Muslim expect others to accept them as they are than it is obligation upon Muslims and other minorities to extend the same courtesy to other minority regardless whether you agree with them or not. Gay people are also gods people just like Hindu, Sikh, Ahmadi, Shia, Hazara, Christians etc. Similarly KSA should allow other religions to build their place of worship as Muslims are allowed to build mosque in rest of the world. The same logic and courtesy is extended all over the world and countries are allowing gay marriages.
I think Pakistani programs shouldn't be watched in India - at least people in India are in the dark as to how hated they are in Pakistan - let that illusion endure - we should not unleash Zaid Hamid and Orya Maqbool Jan on Indians.
@aaa: :))).
He is Mr. Backdoor Sharif ! Backdoor to Saudia. Backdoor to return to Pakistna. Backdoor to oust Musharraf. Backdoor to come to power. Backdoor with India. Backdoor with USA. Superficially, he speaks against ISI and Army but there are always "backdoor" negotiations done with them through the likes of Ch. Nisar and Ishaq Dar. This man has literally dodged the entire nation...I mean just look at his pre-election slogans and promises and his post-election somersaults.
The electronic media (and even print media to some extent) in india is generally hawkish, tends to toe the government line and engages in self censorship especially when it comes to issues such as kashmir and India-pak relations! The self-righteous indian media whole heartedly suscribes to the prevailing narrative that Pakistan is a nation of bigots and extremists bent on destroying the indian republic! The media by dissemating propaganda and fueling anti-pak rhetoric prevents the indian government from resuming any meaningful negotiations with Pakistan!
@It Is (still) Economy Stupid: Sodom & Gomorrah are mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the cities (towns?) that were destroyed by God for their deviant behavior. It is an old yarn which has no place in the modern world. See the name of the first city once again and you will get a clue. . In any case, neither do I understand AluChat's reference to these Biblical cities nor do I understand butt's strong criticism. Perhaps he is taking it personally.
@Iram: "Law enforcement agencies are reporting that India is involved in terrorism in Pakistan" I TRUST an ELECTED PRIME MINISTER OF MY country. I have full faith in Sharif, when it comes to front or back door talks with India, even with Israel. How I should trust these so called "Law enforcement agencies" when these good for nothing were not able to locate terrorist Bin Laden in Abbotabad? SHARIF SAHIB, although I do not like your deep affiliation with HOLY BROTHERS, but if you can make peace with India, my all good wishes will be ALWAYS with you.
who wants it anyway..
Nawaz calls for flexible media laws. Walk the talk please. Global citizens wants the same too and want you to lift ban on you tube and Al-Jazerra or other media. Make it illegal for future governments to ban any media outlet. In current digital age ban on any media outlet makes you look like a technophasent from stone age.
When Musharraf did the same thing he was the worst person in the world. Look who is falling the same policies ....
@Asif Butt: Addressed to EXPRESS TRIBUNE I had not heard of Sodom and Gomorrah. So I looked it up. According to Wikipedia:
Sodom and Gomorrah (/ˈsɒd.əm/;[1] /ɡə.ˈmɔr.ə/[2]) were cities mentioned in the Book of Genesis and throughout the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and Deuterocanonical sources, as well as the Qur'an. According to the Torah, the kingdoms of Sodom and Gomorrah were allied with the cities of Admah, Zeboim and Bela. These five cities, also known as the "cities of the plain",
I do not see anything wrong with Alu Chat's comment until unless you can read or see some invisible ink.
@nishantpatwari:
No one could have described it better. And I appreciate your use of the term "Both Sides".
one should understand the ground realities.The moment any initiatives by the Pakistan government takes place for trade ties a hue and cry starts to oppose it . That is why MFN status to India could not be accorded till date. Hence a diplomatic efforts un revealed to the media is being tried. Without better trade relations( a win win situation for both) better relations will be a distant dream.
Backdoor diplomacy is basically the practice of nations when neither nation is willing to admit its own fault and to avoid admitting anything to the public.
Pakistan, India and Bangladesh collectively are the largest slave nation known to human history. Till today they are the devot slaves of their masters. The masters are the unscrupulous weapon and drug cartels who alone determine the world order!
Backdoor means both sides are afraid of hardliners
This guy looks as watching Indian interests more than Pakistan's.
Its quite obvious , that mods have decided to block any serious arguments to this drama ! If ET has a real policy, than rest assure you would have printed my comment as its a core issue in the current climate ! As much as anyone would like to deny it or claim ignorance to the facts !
"Hague offered to assist Pakistan in developing a counter-terrorism strategy." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Based on reports in ET Pakistans Counter Terrorism startgey will be based on Turkish Malaysian Chinese Indonesian British models. In short a UN based strategy:)
Great Wall must be extended to stretch as far as Indo Pak border runs. Diplomatic efforts must not exist with a cunning enemy.
@Water Bottle:
Got to admit , you dont growl or bite like the rest of them. Atleast you try to be as real as an imaginary water bottle.
You have a good time then. Go play with your crows now. :)
@Harshvardhan Sharma:
.."the biggest crime is not accepting your "...
What are you some judge or something ?
This was the biggest crime , that was an xyz crime , that will be an abc crime.... Stop acting like a typical Indian who thinks he bathes in milk everyday. In this world , no one is innocent . And that includes you guys too.
@Asif Butt: Butt ji, what a comprehensive list full of hypocrisy. And to top it all, you blamed Indians to be living in denial :D Here is my reply to your list: . Who was the perpetrator in East Pakistan ? - Pakistan. Your soldiers turned against your own people. One of the worst human tragedy ever. . Which country has been sponsoring terrorism in Muslim majority Kashmir ? - Pakistan. The whole demography of Kashmir has been changed with Kashmiri Pandits driven out of their own home. . Who uses Afghanistan as their own backyard and foment trouble there through the proxies? - Pakistan. Stop using a sovereign country as your own backyard and start respecting Afghans. There is a reason Pakistanis are hated most in that country. Afghans have a right to pick their friends just like you do. . Which countries intelligence efforts were defeated by ours in SriLanka ? – India. By your own confession, it is Pakistan who comes across as waging a war against India here. But somehow it is India's fault :D . Which nations favorite non-olympic game to wage against Pakistan is war ? – India. Really? This is despite the fact that all the wars between the two counttries were started by Pakistan? Don't you have a policy of "Bleeding India through thousand cuts" and some of your kind day dream about "Ghazwa-e-hind? . Who knows its Pakistan who did it when even a sparrow sneezes in their country ? – India. You guys deny everything. Only recently, it is publicly acknowledged that Pakistan has been sponsoring terrorism in India. You guys have training camps for the terrorists at your soil. . And yes the list can go on and on :) Sincerely.
It is backtrack diplomacy. It allows participants to backtrack on gains made depending on the prevailing political and security wind.
@Asif Butt:
You are so funny. I admire your sense of humor.
That really tickled my funny bone.
Just so you know, there are no more sparrows left in India. We cannot even see them, let alone hear their sneeze. There are plenty of crows. You can use that in your example next time.
@Asif Butt Actually you missed the big one the facepalm attempt at Kargil, and the biggest crime is not accepting your soldiers but you fellas will quitely forget it as it's ROGUE army
EXPRESS TRIBUNE
You moderators have once again proven their level of in-competency when it comes to allowing and disallowing comments.
I suggest you review the comments by AluChat which you have allowed .
This man obviously has learnt nothing in 63 years. At the time when Indian's are themselves saying that Mumbai drama was done by Indians themselves, he seeks good relations with them. SubhanAllah.
This man didn't learn from his past mistakes.
@Water Bottle:
Not at war against each other ?
Wow , the beauty of Indian denials.
Who was the referee between East & West Pakistan ? - India.
Which country has been denying Pakistan to question the right over Muslim majority Kashmir ? - India.
Who is the Godfather (miser) of the Afghans against Pakistan ? - India.
Which countries intelligence efforts were defeated by ours in SriLanka ? - India.
Which nations favorite non-olympic game to wage against Pakistan is war ? - India.
Who knows its Pakistan who did it when even a sparrow sneezes in their country ? - India.
Man the list can go on and on and on.
Who are you kidding ?
This India - Pakistan cold war must have a history deeper than the US - Russia one.
what ever diplomacy you use but never forget the lessons from History and that is they will not give you a 2nd chance if they can dismantle you as a country.
How is "backdoor" diplomacy when the commander in chief of the country announces it in media ??? doesnt it nullify the whole concept of backdoor diplomacy ??
@Shahnawaz (Kashmiri): " Indian people are largely haters and Indian media fuels war hysteria when it comes to Pakistan." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And Pakistan the perpetartors of duplicity deceit and deception eg Kargil. War hysteria is preferable to War isnt it?
we just want peace between both countries....
@umar: "each time we use back door policy India starts crying I wonder why :P"
Oh that's because India was more used to Benazir's and Hina Rabanni Khar's back door policy than Nwaz Sheriff's. Their back door policies made more sense as they were not egged on by Mullahs.
Its actually good to have backdoor talks. Because in backdoor diplomacy you keep things away from public. Indian people are largely haters and Indian media fuels war hysteria when it comes to Pakistan. So keep them out, their might be substantial talks. And also both India and Pakistan are too embarrassed to admit their wrongings, so backdoor diplomacy would be apt.
@Parvez: each time we use back door policy India starts crying I wonder why :P
Got this news from et and not any Indian newspaper. Love you guys. Cheerio
This has made me question the sanity of this fellow. Seriously? After allegations of Mumbai 26/11 being a false flag attack have surfaced?
Wasn't this the reason for the destruction of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah?
yeah, why back door? and what is the guarantee that this diplomacy would work with the new indian govt next year? with the likes of narendra modi?? shouldn't you have bided time?
Back door...........sounds wrong. Track 2...............sounds better. Irrespective of the name, its the result that counts.
good
Yes you are right. As you also revived back door diplomacy with TTP. But be careful with two faces you will not succeed on either front.
Law enforcement agencies are reporting that India is involved in terrorism in Pakistan and this gentleman is appreciating backdoor diplomacy.
Why backdoor?
The two countries are not at war against each other.
Why not front door?