Editorial Policy of Daily Jang Newspaper on Pak-India Relations: A Review of General Pervez Musharraf Political Era

Abstract

General Pervez Musharraf, the head of Pakistan army, seized power in the country by overthrowing the democratically elected Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999. Initially, he introduced a portfolio of Chief Executive for himself. However, on June 21, 2001, he assumed the office of President of Pakistan. He got himself elected as the President of Pakistan for the next 5 years through referendum held on April 30, 2002. He resigned from the presidency on August 18, 2008. During his presidency, General Pervez Musharraf sought to improve relations with India, proposing an out of the box solution for resolving the long standing Kashmir issue by deviating from the traditional state position of Pakistan. This is the reason why we have conducted research on the policy of Pakistani media on Pak-India relations during the presidency of General Pervez Musharraf. For this purpose, the editorials of Pakistan's most widely circulated newspaper, Daily Jang, were selected. The daily Jang published a total of 713 editorials during the presidency of General Pervez Musharraf from June 21, 2001 to August 18, 2008. Our research findings suggest that editorials published by Jang Newspaper during the period era argue that Kashmir issue is the bone of contention between Pakistan and India, the two nuclear neighbors in strategic South Asia. Jang tries to shape public opinion through the editorials that if the Kashmir issue is resolved once and forever, all other disputes will automatically be resolved. The editorial policy of the Jang seems to resolve the Kashmir issue somehow, even if Pakistan has to show flexibility in its traditional stance on Kashmir. Jang supports negotiations between Pakistan and India on various issues including Kashmir. Meetings of Pak-India rulers are presented as important developments. Jang editorials give the impression that disputes can only be resolved through negotiations. Pakistan and India have also fought wars that have resulted in nothing but destruction and starvation on either sides. So now both countries must abandon war policy. Matters should be handled with mutual understanding. Daily Jang usually blame India for the failure of the Pak-India talks. The newspaper calls Pakistan's missile tests a national defense necessity, and tries to create public opinion in its favor. The newspaper, on the other hand raises concerns over India's missile tests. Its Editorials described India's missile system as a threat to South Asia, including Pakistan. In other words, daily Jang on the defense system of Pakistan and India has a one-sided, biased and irrational editorial policy. The newspapers describe the Pak-India trade as beneficial for both the countries and encouraged them to increase trade. The editorials of Jang also support Pak-India cricket relations and bus service. The Jang as a whole seeks to create anti-India public opinion in Pakistan in its editorials as well as emphasizes on improving Pakistan-India relations.