Altaf Hussain BBC 2 Documentry – Deconstructed

Its such a pity, that all those discussing the BBC 2 documentary on Mr Altaf hussain, either lack observation or lack devotion to professional journalism. It is also a fact that today’s intellectual and tv thinkers are nothing as compared to those of yesteryears.

BBC 2 Documentary is miserable compared to the hype that was created before its arrival. Before I further proceed, let me assure you that whether I support altaf hussain/ MqM has nothing to do with the analysis, and if you have better argument or analysis, put it up and don’t judge me.

Question no1, what new information this documentary provides, answer is nothing. All of this was already reported on Pakistani media and a lot more was reported in other media as well.

Secondly, the UK authorities proved that they neither understand our culture, nor understand political humor. Out of three videos shown in the documentary, two, if seen completely is Altaf Hussain’s humour, social comment on the alleged allegations of body bag (BORI). They fail to see that  people around  Mr Altaf are laughing when he gave those comments. That was just light humor rather then threats, as shown by the BBC2.

Point number 3 is that the documentary lacks convection and trusted faces. Interviews are part of any credible documentary. They make any broadcast reliable. George Galloway has been known to comment in the Parliament and in public on Mr Altaf uHssain. But such vocal person on this issue fails to appear in this documentary , why? He leads the campaign in London against Mr. Altaf and he is not in the documentary.

What about Lord Nazir. He is also a representative of Pakistani community, but he was also, either not contacted or unavailable. Instead the interviews shown in the documentary are dubious. Who is the guy which is introduced as a police officer. Why was someone shown without any identity, when people with identity were available. Who is that person shown as ex worker of MQM. Is he Indian or Bangladeshi, because he by far has no resemblance from a pakistani face.

The issue of Ifitkhar hussain’s arrest was also not discussed as also the wife of Dr. Imran Farooq was not contacted for the documentary.

There are two sides of every story, the other side of this story is the numbers and properties associated with Mr Altaf hussain by Pakistani Media. Mr. Najam sethi  mentioned that  1 million pound were confiscated from Altaf hussains home. BBC alleges that there were .4 million or 400,000 were recovered and some of it was gathered from the office. Not the total amount was confiscated from the house.

What about the news of Dunya TV, which said that there were 20 properties on the name of Mr. Altaf hussain and the documents of 6 were with Dunya TV, they claimed. But that was also not mentioned in the BBC documentary. That raises some eye brows on the allegations placed on Altaf hussain by Pakistani private TV  channels.

The final and most important thing that Pakistani media and MQM forgets to mention is that BBC also did a Documentary on Nawaz Shairf money laundering.  From Raiwand to Park Lane, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A4gWJR5N78)

http://www.zemtv.com/2013/02/03/from-pakistan-to-park-lane-nawaz-sharif-corruption-and-money-laundering/

 if you see this documentary, you would find out that how an independent BBC does an independent investigation. From account numbers, to amount, to list of properties, to front men family of Qazi sab and his letter, all were shown in that documentary. In comparison, the BBC documentary on Nawaz Sharif provide more documents and as a journalist, I seek it as more authentic.

As  working journalists BBC has always been bible to us, but this documentary creates alot of questions. I would have been happier, if any one from Pakistani media as well, like Mr azhar javid or any other credible person would have been questioned in this report. Otherwise, it lacks information, it lacks conviction, and by showing jokes by Mr. Altaf hussain as threats, this documentary proves that BBC lacks basic understanding of Pakistani social and political fabric. 

I will also write on the famous letter written by Mr. Altaf hussain, don’t worry and I  have not been given any money by MQM to write this article. If any one want to argue, feel free to comment. i am sure, the journalists, that have done documentaries before, would agree to the questions raised here.