Thesis by Sajjad

ROLE OF MEDIA IN PAKISTAN-INDIA
PEACE PROCESS: 2000-2010

PH.D THESIS
Submitted by
Muhammad Sajjad (Sajjad Malik)
Reg. No. NDU-PCS/PhD/S-11/012
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema
Department of Peace and Conflict Studies

This Dissertation is submitted to National Defence University, Islamabad in partial
fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Studies
Faculty of Contemporary Studies
National Defence University
Islamabad
2015
i
SUPERVISOR’S DECLARATION
This is to certify that Ph.D. dissertation submitted by Muhammad Sajjad titled “Role of
Media in Pakistan-India Peace Process: 2000-2010” is supervised by me, and is
submitted to meet the requirements of Ph.D. degree.
Date: ____________ Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema
Supervisor
ii
STUDENT’S DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the thesis submitted by me titled “Role of Media in Pakistan-India
Peace Process: 2000-2010” is based on my own research work and has not been
submitted to any another institution for any other degree.
Date: __________________ Muhammad Sajjad
Ph.D Scholar
iii
ABSTRACT
The relations between Pakistan and India have been mostly hostile since independence in
1947. The animosity is reflected in policy statements of officials which appear in the
national media of the two countries. Theoretically, media can affect foreign policy
through its agenda setting, agenda reflecting and agenda building policies. In case of
Pakistan and India, the role of media has been less debated and this study makes an
endeavor to fill this research gap. The dissertation investigates the role of media during
2000-2010 by evaluating media coverage in both countries around five major events,
including Agra Summit, Indian Parliament Attack, Military Standoff of 2002, Composite
Dialogue and Mumbai Attacks. A methodology based on content analysis and elite
interviews has been used for the study. The results show that media through partisan
coverage of relations of Pakistan and India creates hurdles in the way of peace. The
survey of contents of selected media of both states depicts that over 62 per cent news
stories project the negative side of the ties. Also, most of the materials published or aired
come through official sources, which indicate that the narrative of Pak-India political and
strategic ties is controlled by the state authorities. Same results have been observed
during interviews of experts which reinforce the fact that negativity about each other runs
deep. News coverage spurred by the state officials also raises serious questions about the
neutrality of media on both sides. The key conclusion is that media in Pakistan and India
instead of playing a role of an independent watchdog follows the official narrative of
relations, which is mostly jingoistic and anti-peace. It has been termed in the study as the
“official truth” which is so dominant that occasional saner voices in media, highlighting
the importance of peaceful relations, fail to register any meaningful impact.
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am using this opportunity to express gratitude for everyone who directly or indirectly
helped to complete the research. I am grateful to journalists M. Ziauddin, Rahimullah
Yusufzai, Javed Siddiq, Karan Thapar, Suhasini Haidar and Syed Shujaat Bukhari for
their interviews, and Rezaul Laskar and Snehesh Alex Philip, PTI Correspondents , for
help to arrange some of the interviews. I also thank Nasir Zaidi at the Institute of
Regional Studies for help to get clippings of old Indian newspapers. I thank PID to let me
use the resource center, which is a unique place to find old newspapers. I owe special
thanks to the staff at the NDU library, the PCS department and the Dean’s office for
support. I also thank all teachers who helped reach at this point.
I express warm thanks to researcher Abdul Rauf Iqbal, editors Imran Naeem Ahmad and
Usman Naeem, and English language expert Irfan Afzal for reading relevant parts of the
study and helping to improve the final draft.
I am hugely indebted to my supervisor Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema. He is a wonderful

person and it was pleasure to work under his supervision. The research could not have
been completed without his guidance.
I owe special thanks to my family, especially my wife, for total support to let me
concentrate on this research.
Sajjad
v
DEDICATION
Dedicated to my family and all others who cared for me in life.
vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AFP: Agence France-Presse
AJK: Azad Jammu and Kashmir
AP: Associated Press
APHC: All Parties Hurriyat Conference
APP: Associated Press of Pakistan
ARD: Alliance of Restoration of Democracy
AS: Anonymous Source
ATM: Automatic Teller Machine
BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation
BJP: Bhartiya Janta Party
BSF: Border Security Force
CBMs: Confidence Building Measures
CCS: Cabinet Committee on Security
CENTCOM: Central Command
CIA: Central Intelligence Agency
CICA: Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia
CNN: Cable News Network
CNN-IBN: Cable News Network- Indian Broadcasting Network
CPC: Countries of Particular Concern
CPI (M): Communist Party of India (Marxist)
CSIS: Centre for Strategic and International Studies
CSM: Christian Science Monitor
DC: Deccan Herald
DGMO: Director General Military Operations
DPA: Deutsche Presse-Agentur
DT: Daily Times
EN: Extremely Negative
EP: Extremely Positive
ESUP: English Speaking Union of Pakistan
EU: European Union
FATA: Federally Administered Tribal Areas
FO: Foreign Office
FOB: Forward Operating Basis
FM: Foreign Minister
FP: Frontier Post
FS: Foreign Secretary
GHQ: General Headquarters
HRW: Human Rights Watch
HT: Hindustan Times
vii
IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency

IAF: Indian Air Force
IANS: Indo-Asian News Service
IB: International Border
ICSSR: Indian Council of Social Sciences Research
IHK: Indian Held Kashmir
IM: Indian Mujahideen
INDO: India
IPA: Iran-Pakistan-Afghanistan
IPI: Iran-Pakistan-India
ISI: Inter-Services Intelligence
ISPR: Inter Services Public Relations
ISSRA: Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis
ITV: Infotainment Television
JBC: Joint Business Council
JCSC: Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
JeM: Jaish-e-Muhammad
JIBs: Journalist Information Bureaux
JKLF: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
JKNF: Jammu and Kashmir National Front
JUI-F: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl
Let: Lashkar-e-Taiba
LoC: Line of Control
Lt. Gen.: Lieutenant General
Maj. Gen.: Major General
MEA: Ministry of External Affairs
MFN: Most-Favoured Nation
MMA: Mutahida Majlis-e-Aml
MQM: Muttahida Qaumi Movement
MS: Mixed Source
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NCCI: National Council of Churches in India
NDA: National Democratic Alliance
NDA: National Democratic Alliance
NDTV: New Delhi Television
NDU: National Defence University
NNI: Network-to-Network Interface
NSC: National Security Council
OIC: Organization of the Islamic Conference
OS: Official Source
viii
OUP: Oxford University Press

PAF: Pakistan Air Force
PAK: Pakistan
PIPFPD: Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy
PoK: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
POTO: Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance
POW: Prisoners of War
PPC: Pakistan Peace Coalition
PPI: Press Pakistan International
PPP: Pakistan People’s Party
PTI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf
PTI: Press Trust of India
RAW: Research and Analysis Wing
RFE: Radio Free Europe
RSS: Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh
SAARC: South Asian Association of Regional Countries
SAFMA: South Asia Free Media Association
SAFTA: South Asia Free Trade Agreement
SDI: Strategic Defence Initiative
SEATO: South-East Asian Treaty Organization
SN: Slightly Negative
SP: Slightly Positive
SRC: Sindh Regimental Centre
TIE: The Indian Express
TN: The Nation
TNN: Times News Network
TOI: Times of India
TT: The Telegraph
ULFA: United Liberation Front of Assam
UNSC: United Nations Security Council
USCIRF: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republic
VHP: Vishwa Hindu Parishad
VOA: Voice of America
WWW: World Wide Web
ix
CONTENTS
ABSTRACT iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
DEDICATION v
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi
LIST OF TABLES xiii
LIST OF FIGURES xxi
INTRODUCTION 1
1: Theoretical Framework 20
1.1- Media Evolution 20
1.2- Characteristics of Modern Media 23
1.3- Media and Agenda 29
1.4- Media and Foreign Policy 32
1.5- Theoretical Framework for Research 38
2: Pakistan-India Relations: An Appraisal 41
2.1- From Independence to Dismemberment: 1947-1971 42
2.2- From Simla to Kargil: 1972-1999 45
2.3- Post-Kargil Decade: 2000-2010 50
2.4- Overview of Peace Efforts 50
2.5- Agra Summit: July 15-16, 2001 52
2.6- Attack on Indian Parliament: December 13, 2001 54
2.7- Military Standoff: 2002 55
2.8- Composite Dialogue: 2004-2008 58
2.9- Mumbai Terror Attack: November 26, 2008 60
3- Pakistan Media: An Evaluation 62

x
3.1- Print Media and Agra Summit 63
3.1.1- Dawn 63
3.1.2- The Nation 80
3.2- Electronic Media and Agra Summit 97
3.3- Print Media and Parliament Attack 101
3.3.1- Dawn 101
3.3.2- The News 107
3.4- Electronic Media and Parliament Attack 114
3.5- Print Media and Military Standoff 116
3.5.1- Dawn 117
3.5.2- The Frontier Post 132
3.5.3- Daily Times 138
3.6- Electronic Media and Military Standoff 145
3.7- Print Media and Composite Dialogue 147
3.7.1- Dawn 147
3.7.2- The Nation 161
3.7.3- The Frontier Post 166
3.7.4- Daily Times 169
3.8- Electronic Media and Composite Dialogue 171
3.9- Print Media and Mumbai Attack 172
3.9.1- Dawn 172
3.9.2- The News 181
3.10- Electronic Media and Mumbai Attack 192
4- Indian Media: An Assessment 194
4.1- Print Media and Agra Summit 195

xi
4.1.1- The Hindu 195
4.1.2- Hindustan Times 216
4.2- Electronic Media and Agra Summit 228
4.3- Print Media and Parliament Attack 232
4.3.2- The Times of India 241
4.4- Electronic Media and Parliament Attack 254
4.5- Print Media and Military Standoff 256
4.5.2- The Tribune 267
4.6- Electronic Media and Military Standoff 281
4.7- Print Media and Composite Dialogue 283
4.7.2- The Indian Express 292
4.7.3- The Telegraph 296
4.7.4- Deccan Herald 299
4.8- Electronic Media and Composite Dialogue 302
4.9- Print Media and Mumbai Attack 304
4.9.2- The Times of India 313
4.10- Electronic Media and Mumbai Attack 326
5: Analysis and Findings 329
5.1- Analysis 329
5.1.1- The Agra Summit 329
5.1.2- Parliament Attack 336

xii
5.1.3- Military Standoff 342
5.1.4- Composite Dialogue 347
5.1.5- Mumbai Attack 353
5.1.6- Comparison of Pak-Indian Media 359
5.2- Findings 363
5.2.1- Media as Stakeholder 363
5.2.2- Horizontal Outreach 365
5.2.3- Media and Agenda 365
5.2.4- Dependency Syndrome 366
5.2.5- Highlighting Conflict 368
5.2.6- Impact on Peace Process 368
5.2.7- Jingoistic Overtone 370
5.2.8- Media of ‘Official Truth’ 371
CONCLUSION 373
BIBLIOGRAPHY 379
APPENDICES 390
xiii
LIST OF TABLES
No Title Page
3.1 Coverage in Pakistani Newspapers 62

3.2 Dawn Coverage on July 8 63
3.13 Dawn Coverage on July19 77
3.17 The Nation Coverage on July 8 80
3.32 Dawn Coverage on December 6 101
xiv

3.44 The News Coverage on December 7 107
3.56 Dawn Coverage on January 1 117
3.61 Dawn Coverage on June 1 125
3.66 Dawn Coverage on October 1 129
3.71 The Frontier Post Coverage on January 1 132
3.76 Daily Times Coverage on June 1 138
xv

3.81 Daily Times Coverage on October 1 143
3.89 Dawn Coverage on April 15 153
3.99 The Nation Coverage on January 3 161
3.104 The Frontier Post Coverage on April 15 166
3.109 Daily Times Coverage on July 9 169
3.113 Dawn Coverage on November 19 172
xvi

3.126 The News Coverage on November 19 181
4.1 Coverage in India Newspapers 194
4.2 The Hindu Coverage on July 8 195
4.17 The Hindustan Times Coverage on July 8 216
4.18 The Hindustan Times Coverage on July 10 217
4.19 Hindustan Times Coverage on July 11 218
xvii

4.31 The Hindu Coverage on December 8 232
4.43 The Times of India Coverage on December 6 241
4.58 The Hindu Coverage on January 1 256
xviii

4.63 The Hindu Coverage on June 1 261
4.68 The Hindu Coverage on October 1 265
4.72 The Tribune Coverage on January 1 267
4.77 The Tribune Coverage on June 1 275
4.82 The Tribune Coverage on October 1 279
4.90 The Hindu Coverage on April 15 286
4.97 The Indian Express Coverage on January 3 292
xix

4.102 The Telegraph Coverage on April 15 296
4.107 Deccan Herald Coverage on July 10 300
4.111 The Hindu Coverage on November 19 304
4.124 The Times of India Coverage on November 19 313
5.1 Dawn Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit 329
xx
5.2 The Nation Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit 331
5.3 The Hindu Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit 332
5.4 Hindustan Times Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit 333
5.5 Total Coverage of Agra Summit 334
5.6 Dawn Coverage (Dec. 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack 336
5.7 The News Coverage (Dec. 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack 337
5.8 The Hindu Coverage (Dec. 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack 338
5.9 The Times of India Coverage (Dec. 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack 339
5.10 Total Coverage of Parliament Attack 340
5.11 Dawn Coverage (Jan. 1-5, June 1-5, Oct, 1-5, 2002) of Military Standoff 342
5.12 The Frontier Post and Daily Times Coverage of Military Standoff 343
513 The Hindu Coverage (Jan. 1-5, June 1-5, Oct, 1-5, 2002) of Standoff 344
514 The Tribune Coverage (Jan. 1-5, June 1-5, Oct, 1-5, 2002) of Standoff 345
5.15 Total Coverage of Military Standoff 346
5.16 Dawn Coverage of Composite Dialogue 348
5.17 The Nation, FP and DT Coverage of Composite Dialogue 349
5.18 The Hindu Coverage of Composite Dialogue 349
5.19 The Indian Express,e Telegraph, Deccan Herald on Composite Dialogue 350
5.20 Total Coverage of Composite Dialogue 351
5.21 Dawn Coverage (Nov 19-Dec 3, 2008) of Mumbai Attack 353
5.22 The News Coverage (Nov 19-Dec 3, 2008) of Mumbai Attack 354
5.23 The Hindu Coverage (Nov 19-Dec 3, 2008) of Mumbai Attack 355
5.24 The Times of India Coverage (Nov 19-Dec 3, 2008) of Mumbai Attack 356
5.25 Total Coverage of Mumbai Attack 356
5.26 Total Coverage in Pakistan Newspapers 360
5.27 Total Coverage in Indian Newspapers 361
5.28 Total Coverage by Pak-India Newspapers 363
xxi
LIST OF CHARTS/FIGURES
No Title Page
5.1 Pakistan Media Coverage of Five Events 359

5.2 Indian Media Coverage of Five Events 361
5.3 Coverage in Pak-India Media 364
5.4 Origin of News Stories 365
5.5 Percentage of Byline 366
5.6 Sourcing of News Stories 367
5.7 Ratio of Peace, Conflict and Neutral Stories 368
5.8 Negative-Positive Impact of Media on Relations 369
1
INTRODUCTION
Relations between Pakistan and India have been marred by suspicions and violence since
independence in 1947. Efforts made for peace, like launching of the composite dialogue
in 2004, failed due to various reasons. As Jasjit Singh says, “If there is one single factor
that appears to have remained consistently prominent in the Indo-Pak relations over the
years, it has been mutual mistrust and the politics that have supported it.”1
The animosity about each other runs deep and is reflected in official statements appearing
in the media, which is considered as a stakeholder in the efforts for peace or war.
Resultantly, media in both countries have become intrusive and partisan, and its coverage
of relations is often dictated by nationalism than factual reporting.
Theoretically, modern media plays role of both highlighting the government policies and
reflecting public opinions about the policies. For example, the American media put
pressure on the Bush administration to take action against Saddam Hussein for having
weapons of mass destruction. Due to the ruthless coverage of pro-attack policy of the
government, “almost three quarters of the US public supported the invasion of Iraq.”2
Several years earlier, media coverage of the Vietnam War had put pressure on the
government to withdraw the American soldiers.
But in case of Pakistan and India, media houses and journalists often tend to operate on
nationalistic lines and even the ordinary diplomatic interactions and sports events are
portrayed as matters of national honour. It seems that media in the two countries have not
been affected by the events at the turn of the 20th century, when old rivalries gave way to
the new alignments. Contrarily, media in both states have failed to see the bilateral
relations free from the influence of traditional foreign policy constraints. Hence, every
slight deviation from the decades-old official path is pitched by media as sell-out of the
national prestige and surrender of interests, which brings pressure on the officials who in
return often harden their positions.
1
Jasjit Singh, “Politics of Mistrust and Confidence Building”, in India and Pakistan: Crisis relationship,
ed. Jasjit Singh (New Delhi: Lancer Publishing Pvt. Ltd, 1990), 100.
2
Tobby Miller, “US Journalism: Servant of the Nation, Scourge of the Truth”, in Conflict, Terrorism and
The Media in Asia, ed. Benjamin Cole (London: Routledge, 2006), 5.
2
In this premise, this study investigates the relation of Pakistan and India through the
coverage of media during 2000 to 2010.
This period is interesting for several reasons. It follows the Kargil War of 1999, which
brought the two nuclear-armed countries at the brink of a nuclear conflagration. Also,
comprehensive peace efforts were made through the Agra Summit and the Composite
Dialogue during this era. Additionally, some of the worst moments in the bilateral
relations, like the military standoff of 2002 and the Mumbai attack fall in this period.
Problem Statement
The relationship between different countries can be assessed through the media of
respective states. Media is important and through its coverage can portray a particular
relationship as “good” or “bad” and thus, it reinforces the public opinion about a country.
The role of media in determining the relationship between Pakistan and India is a case in
hand. Since the relationship between the two states has remained critical throughout their
history, therefore media reporting and projection of the bilateral relationship is part of an
interesting discourse. In this connection, there is a need to evaluate the role of media i.e.
whether it is working for peace or increasing conflicts between the two countries.
Objectives
The study looks into the media coverage around some of the important events from 2000
to 2010. It traces whether and how media in both countries factors in the bilateral efforts
to resolve issues and make progress to improve relations. Apropos, the main objective is
to investigate whether the coverage of relations in the mainstream media of the two states
had been positive or negative for the peace efforts in the selected period. For this
objective, the study evaluates the coverage of print and electronic media of Pakistan and
India. It also looks at the issues of dateline and byline, respectively dealing with the
origin of the stories and their contributors. The research questions identified in this regard
are as under:
1- What is the role of media in determining Pak-India relationship?

2- What is the source of news stories?
3
3- How the issue of dateline has been treated?

4- How the issue of byline has been treated?
Hypothesis
Pakistan-India media through partisan and jingoistic coverage of relations creates

hurdles for peace between the two countries than facilitating peace process.
Literature Review
Press is considered as the fourth estate due to its significance in the politics and policies.
One of the key influences of media has been in the realm of foreign policy. Such role
becomes more pronounced if a country was trying to resolve important issues with
another country. The efforts of Pakistan and India to sort out outstanding issues are
relevant to quote as an example, as their domestic media often swayed the sentiments
along the nationalistic lines. A number of books written on the topic have taken into stock
the relations between Pakistan and India and their efforts to create peace. Some writers
have also highlighted the role of media but there is lack of in-depth analysis of media and
its impact on relationship. The literature review helps to understand it.
“Negotiating in the Public Eye” by Marc Genest has traced the impact of media on the
intermediate range nuclear force negotiations between the US and former USSR from
1981 to 1987 when both sides signed agreements to resolve the matter. The book has
good theoretical background and empirical data to show how media viewed the talks and
their results. It also gives three theories: agenda-setting, agenda-reflecting and agenda-
building. The writer says that all three can be traced in the media coverage of
international relations. “The relationship between reporting, government policymakers,
and public response is by no means a fixed quantity. The issue involved, how it is
presented, and official reaction all contribute to both the relationship and the eventual
outcome.”3
Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Paul Waldman in “The Press Effect” capture the overall
effect of media on various contours of political life. “Journalists help mold public
3
Marc A Genest, Negotiating in the Public Eye, (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1995), 162.
4
understanding and opinion by deciding what is important and what may be ignored, what
is subject to debate and what is beyond question, and what is true and false,” wrote the
authors.4 They show the patriotic aspect of media.
“The Political Impact of Mass Media” by Colin Seymour-Ure is about the inter-
relationship between society and all forms of communication media. It is divided in two
parts: first dealing with general political communication and effects of mass media, while
the second part deals with case studies to highlight the effects of media. “Communication
is necessary social activity. Without communication there can be no society- only a
collection of individuals,” the writer asserts.5 “Since communication is so pervasive we
should expect communication media to be a major determinant of the nature of the social
system; and since politics is a form of social activity we can expect the same to be true
for the political system.”6
“The Media of Conflict” edited by Tim Allen and Jean Seaton shows the role of media in
ethnic conflicts. It is quite diverse and 14 different essays by different writers give a
detailed view of press coverage of different nine case studies of conflicts including the
Gulf War of 1990/91 and ethnic war in Uganda, Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Liberia, Rwanda
and Ethiopia. Talking about the role of media, the editors said that media plays a complex
part in the conduct of new emergencies. “But the media also act as agents of war and the
press and the broadcasting increasingly have become the institutions that accord wars
legitimacy, and judge their outcome.”7
Media’s role in conflict oscillates in various directions, depending on the level of

coercion, personal association of media professionals and broader policy of media
outlets. L Brent Bozel III in “Weapons of Mass Distortion” has accused the American
mainstream media of “liberal bias” and espousing the cause of liberal politics at the cost
of impartiality during Bill Clinton’s Monika Lewinsky scandal and 2000 presidential
elections. “Media caused Florida imbroglio,” he has charged, referring to close contest in
4
Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Paul Waldman, “Introduction,” in The Press Effect, (New York: OUP, 2003),
xiii.
5
Colin Semour-Ure, The Political Impact of Mass Media, (London: Constable & Co Ltd, 1974), 15.
6
Semour-Ure, Political Impact, 16.
7
Tim Allen and Jean Seaton, The Media of Conflict, (London: Zed Books, 1999), 44.
5
Florida between George Bush and Al Gore.8 Sometimes media actually attempts to
dictate the national agenda to influence the course of events rather than simply report on
what happens, he further says. The book shows the importance of agenda-setting media.
Pakistan-India conflict can also be understood in the context of “Political Contest Model”
expounded by Gadi Wolfsfeld in his book titled “Media and Political Conflict”, which
presents a theoretical framework about the use of media by the adversaries to win public
support. The thrust of the model is that the best way to understand the role of media in
politics is to view the competition over the news media as part of a larger and more
significant contest among the political antagonists for political control.9
Eric Louw in “The Media & Political Conflict” has given a detailed analysis of media-
ized and Pr-ized warfare and political process. It is helpful in framing the general
discourse about the role of media but obviously the specific Pakistan-India related details
are missing. He says the media is a mirror but “the mainstream model of liberal
journalism does acknowledge that an accurate portrayal of ‘reality’ is not always
achieved.” He clearly shows that media is managed to deliver required images. But he
also explains the CNN-effect thesis due to its role in the gulf war of 1990 that foreign
relations in the modern times are largely shaped by media.10
Philip M Taylor in “Global Communications, International Affairs and Media since

1945” says that modern media constitutes the fourth level of interaction between the
states, in addition to traditional diplomatic, political and military interactions. “That is
what may be termed as the psychological and informational dimension, which involves
the gathering and communication of information, idea, perceptions and messages,” he
says.11The writer highlights various aspects of mass media influences and helps to build
the general framework of the study. Though, it lacks the Indo-Pak context which the
researcher has focused.
8
L. Brent Bozell III, Weapons of Mass Distortion, (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005), 186.
9
Gadi Wolfsfeld, Media and Political Conflict, (Cambridge: University Press, 1997), 3.
10
Eric Louw, The Media & Political Process, 2nd ed. (London: Sage, 2010), 4.
11
Louw, Media and Process, 180.
6
As far as the peace efforts between Pakistan and India are concerned, a number of experts
have written about it.
In “Pakistan-India Peace Process: The way Forward” co-edited by Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema,
Rashid Khan and Khalid Hussain, the authors have taken into stock the peace efforts by
Pakistan and India. It brings forth the developments between the two countries since the
launch of composite dialogue but the book is silent about the role of media.
“The Role of Mediation in Resolving India-Pakistan Conflict: Parameters and

Possibilities” by Amit Dholakia highlights the phenomenon of third party role and its
effect on India-Pakistan conflict. Major General (Retired) Mahmud Ali Durrani in his
“India and Pakistan: The Cost of Conflict and Benefits of Peace” has talked about the
cost of the conflict. He has also mentioned the importance of Track II diplomacy in
easing tension between India and Pakistan.
Zulfiqar Khan’s “India-Pakistan Nuclear Rivalry: Perceptions, Misperceptions and

Mutual Deterrence” says that Pakistan and India should emphasize on Track II diplomacy
to increase exchanges but it failed to count the substantial contribution of the unofficial
efforts. Manjrika Sewak in “Multi-track Diplomacy between India and Pakistan: A
Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Security” has said that the conflict between India
and Pakistan can be transformed only if the peace process is multi-layered, multi-
disciplinary and include diverse actors.
Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema and Imtiaz H. Bokhari in “Conflict Resolution and Regional
Cooperation in South Asia” said that the Track II diplomacy in South Asia had been
important to improve the strained relation between Pakistan and India. “The Arab-Israeli
Peace Process: Lessons for India and Pakistan” by Moonis Ahmer has traced the negative
attitude of the elites of India and Pakistan who, he said, have consistently impeded
conflict management, through Track II diplomacy of building trust and goodwill.
P. R. Chari, Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema and Stephen Cohen who jointly authorized
“Perception, Politics and Security in South Asia” have said that some people advocate
that private, high-level unofficial Track II diplomacy could be helpful in building
physical links between the territories that now comprise India and Pakistan. These three
7
authors in another book titled “Four Crises and a Peace Process: American Engagement
in South Asia” highlight the media coverage of Siachen issue, Brasstack crisis, Kargil
conflict and the military buildup in 2002. The book is helpful but obviously it does not
cover the entire period proposed in this study.
In “India and Pakistan” edited by Jasgit Singh, various aspects of relations with Pakistan
have been highlighted through Indian perspective but none of the articles is about media
and its impact on the relations. Similarly, in “Armed Conflict in South Asia” edited by D.
Suba Chandra and P. R. Chari, there are good articles on Pakistan and problems in South
Asian countries but none about press and related issues.
Pakistan’s former ambassador Shahid Amin’s book titled “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: A
Reappraisal” is instructive in foreign policy matters and relations with India but it is more
of official narrative and silent about the role of media in relations.
A number of research article have also been written on India and Pakistan relations.
Some of them also touched upon the role of media. Nasim Zehra in an article titled as
Role of Media in Conflict Resolution, which appeared in a book called “Conflict
Resolution and Regional Cooperation” says that power of media became evident soon
after the independence when media in “both countries played an important role in
enhancing tension.” It forced their prime minister to sign a joint communiqué on Sep 20,
1947, which pointed out that “certain newspapers were giving publicity to completely
false reports and writing editorial matters of highly inflammatory nature, likely to lead to
a deterioration of the existing situation.”12 Her article is informative but by no means
exhaustive on the issue of role of media in the Indo-Pak peace process.
Muhammad Akram in his research article titled as Role of Media in Resumption of Peace
Talks between Pakistan and India has tried to show the role of media but failed to
highlight the broader impact of press on bilateral relations. The paper published by
ISSRA of NDU (ISSRA Paper 2010) rather talks about the side issues instead of the real
matter. Ershad Mehmud in Pak-India Peace Process: An Appraisal, appearing in Policy
12
Nasim Zehra, “Role of Media in Conflict Resolution”, in Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema and Imtiaz H Bokhari
ed., Conflict Resolution and Regional Cooperation in South Asia, (IPRI Islamabad: Asia Printers, 2004),
167.
8
Perspective of July 1997 says that peace process is slow but it can be considered a good
omen as it is going on steadily. The study, however, does not highlight the role of media
in the peace process.13
Piers Robinson in his article titled “The CNN Effect: Can the New Media drive Foreign
Policy,” published in Review of International Studies talks about the impact of media and
foreign policy with special reference to America broadcaster the CNN. 14 David Altheide
investigates the impact of television on social policy making in his article “The Impact of
Television News Formats on Social Policy", in Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic
Media.15 Stuart N. Soroka investigates the role media in building public opinion and then
its impact on foreign policy.16
David Weaver in an article titles “Thoughts on Agenda Setting, Framing, and Priming,"
published in Journal of Communication researched the role of media on agenda setting
and framing which means that media usually picks and chooses its contents with
implications on other aspects of political life.17
Shanto Iyengar documents three types of media effects that operated on public opinion
during the Persian Gulf crisis and war. “In conclusion, it is suggested that these effects, in
combination with the nature of the media's information sources, were conducive to
legitimizing the administration's perspective on the crisis.”18 Robert Entman in "Framing
bias: Media in the Distribution of Power," published by Journal of communication says
that media coverage has implications for political power and democracy.19
13
Ershad Mehmud, “Pak-India Peace Process: An Appraisal”, in Policy Perspective, July 2007, Vol. 4, No
2.
14
Piers Robinson, “The CNN effect: Can the New Media Drive Foreign Policy?” in Review of
International Studies, 1999, Vol 25, No 2, 301-305.
15
David L. Altheide, "The Impact of Television News Formats on Social Policy", in Journal of
Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 1991, Vol 35, No 1, 3-6.
16
Stuart N. Soroka, "Media, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy," in The International Journal of
Press/Politics, 2003, Vol 8, No 1, 27-28.
17
David H. Weaver, "Thoughts on Agenda Setting, Framing, and Priming", Journal of Communication,
2004, Vol 57, No 1, 142–143.
18
Shanto Iyengar, "News Coverage of the Gulf Crisis and Public Opinion," in Communication Research,
1993, Vol 20, No 3, 365-370.
19
Robert M. Entman,"Framing Bias: Media in the Distribution of Power," in Journal of communication,
2007, Vol 57, No 1, 163-165.
9
Stefaan Walgrave, Stuart Soroka, and Michiel Nuytemans in a joint article titled "The
Mass Media’s Political Agenda-Setting Power: A Longitudinal Analysis of Media,
Parliament, and Government in Belgium (1993 to 2000) explore the power of media to
influence political agenda in context of Belgium. They conclude that though Belgium
follows a closed political system but still media to some degree had an impact on its
parliament and government.20
Daniel C. Hallin in an article deals with the issue of the relation between media and
political authority through a critique of television coverage of Vietnam. He comes up
with the conclusion that critical news contents have increased since the Vietnam
conflict.21 Maxwell E. McCombs and Donald L. Shaw in their article titled “The Agenda-
Setting Function of Mass Media” argue that media plays a role in shaping a political
reality, and helps determine issues and sets agenda for a political campaign.22
The literature review shows that role of media has been one of the focus of attention all
over the world in the perspective of various issues and conflict, and related efforts to
resolve the outstanding problems. There is no dearth of philosophical and empirical
evidence to show that press is playing role in transforming the status of relations between
the adversaries at domestic, national and international levels.
The review also confirms that the researchers generally ignored the impact of media on
the relations between Pakistan and India since independence and particularly during
2000-2010. The lack of proper research into the topic of this study makes the proposed
undertaking more desirable and noteworthy.
20
Stefaan Walgrave, Stuart Soroka, and Michiel Nuytemans, "The Mass Media’s Political Agenda-Setting
Power: A Longitudinal Analysis of Media, Parliament, and Government in Belgium (1993 to 2000)," in
Comparative Political Studies, 2007, Vol 41, No 6, 814-815.
21
Daniel C. Hallin, "The Media, the War in Vietnam, and Political Support: A Critique of the Thesis of an
Oppositional Media," in The Journal of Politics, Cambridge University Press, 1984, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2-5.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2130432.
22
Maxwell E. McCombs and Donald L. Shaw, “The Agenda-Setting Function of Mass Media,” in The
Public Opinion Quarterly, OUP: 1972, Vol. 36, No. 2, 176-180.
10
Scope and Limitations
The study covers the period from 2000 to 2010. It uses the technique of scanning the
period through important events. The following five events during this period are focus of
the coverage:
1. Agra Summit (July 2001)

2. Indian Parliament Attack (December 2001)
3. Military Standoff (January to October 2002)
4. Composite Dialogue (January 2004 to November 2008)
5. Mumbai Attacks (November 2008)
Two newspapers have been chosen from each country as the main anchors to see the
coverage pattern around the five events. They are Dawn from Pakistan and The Hindu
from India. A second newspaper has also been used, but it was changed for each event to
get a wider representative sample. From India the second newspapers include: Times of
India, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, The Indian Express, The Telegraph and Deccan
Herald. The second Pakistani papers are: The Nation, The News, Daily Times and The
Frontier Post.
The criteria used for the selection of the newspapers include mass circulation,
geographical location and popularity. Dawn, The Nation, The Hindu and Hindustan
Times have been used for the Agra summit; Dawn, The News, The Hindu and Times of
India for parliament attack; Dawn, The Frontier Post, Daily Times, The Hindu and The
Tribune for the military standoff; Dawn, The Nation, The Frontier Post, Daily Times, The
Hindu, The Indian Express, The Daily Telegraph and Deccan Herald for the composite
dialogue; and Dawn, The News, The Hindu and Times of India for the Mumbai attack.
The coverage period consists of 15-day for each events. In case of the first two and the
fifth events, seven days each before and after the event have been covered. The military
faceoff was almost ten-month long affair, so its coverage has been changed to five days
of different three months. Similarly, the composite dialogue was a continuous process, so
it has been divided into five days for three different years to make it more representative.
The following dates will help to understand the days of coverage period.
11
Pakistan Newspapers
1) July 9 to 23, 2001 (Agra Summit): Dawn and The Nation
2) December 6 to20, 2001 (Parliament Attack): Dawn and The News
3) January 1 to 5, 2002 (Escalation): Dawn and The News
4) June 1 to 5, 2002 (Escalation on Peak): Dawn and Daily Times
5) October 1 to 5, 2002 (De-escalation): Dawn and Daily Times
6) January 3 to 7, 2004 (Launch of Dialogue): Dawn and The Nation
7) April 15 to 19, 2005 (Mid-term Review around Musharraf’s Visit to India on April
17): Dawn and The Frontier Post
8) July 9 to 13, 2006 (Final Review around Mumbai Train Attacks on July 11): Dawn and
Daily Times
9) Nov 19 to Dec 3, 2008 (Mumbai Attack): Dawn and The News
Indian Newspapers
1) July 9 to 23, 2001 (Agra Summit): The Hindu and Hindustan Times
2) December 6 to 20, 2001 (Parliament Attack): The Hindu and The Times of India
3) January 1 to 5, 2002 (Escalation): The Hindu and The Tribune
4) June 1 to 5, 2002 (Escalation on Peak): The Hindu and The Tribune
5) October 1 to 5, 2002 (De-escalation): The Hindu and The Tribune
6) January 3 to 7, 2004 (Launch of Dialogue): The Hindu and The Indian Express
7) April 15 to 19, 2005 (Mid-term Review around Musharraf’s Visit to India on April
17): The Hindu and The Telegraph
12
8) July 9 to 13, 2006 (Final Review around Mumbai Train Attacks on July 11): The
Hindu and Deccan Herald
9) Nov 19 to Dec 3, 2008 (Mumbai Attack): The Hindu and The Times of India
The second component of coverage is the electronic media. The initial plan was to scan
the coverage of two Pakistani and two Indian television channels, including Geo and
ARY from Pakistan and Aaj Tak and NDTV from India. It was devised on the 15-day
coverage as above discussed for the print media, and the researcher had prepared a
methodology to analyze the prime time news bulletin and one talk show of the selected
channels during the 15 days around the above five events.
But the researcher faced several insurmountable hurdles to access the contents of the
private TV channels. It has been observed that unlike the newspapers, none of the
televisions maintained a proper archive. The efforts to directly get recorded material from
the channels failed. Similarly, efforts to get recorded material from the national
institutions like Radio Pakistan and PTV, research institutions, and even from the defence
institutions were not successful. Efforts to visit India were not materialized due to
different reasons.
Thus, in consultation with the supervisor, the technique for the study of electronic media
of the two countries was shifted from the content analysis to the elite interviews. It is
pertinent to say that interview is in no way a substitute of the content analysis but it was
used to get at least some glimpses of the coverage in the electronic media, and thus add
value to the research. At the end, the researcher got a fairly balanced report from the
interviews, which helped to formulate and strengthen the findings.
For this, three journalists each from Pakistan and India were interviewed with the help of
questionnaires. (The questionnaires are attached as annexure).
Those interviewed are: Muhammad Ziauddin, Rahimullah Yusufzai and Javed Siddiq
from Pakistan; and Karan Thapar, Suhasini Haidar and Syed Shujaat Bukhari from India.
The choice is not random but part of a plan. (Details in methodology below)
13
The social media is not part of scheme of the research as it is still in nascent stage and
quite disorganized.
Methodology
Two techniques dominate the study: Content analysis and interviews. The first has been
used for the print media and the second for the electronic media. The first helped to carry
out the quantitative analysis and the second facilitated to conduct the qualitative analysis.
The study also uses already published materials to understand the role of media in
Pakistan-India ties. For this purpose, various books, magazines, newspapers and the
online materials were scanned. The understanding gained through the review of literature
has been used for the deeper and detailed content analysis and interviews. It also helps to
formulate a theoretical framework.
As the entire period of 2000 to 2010 cannot be analyzed on day-to-day basis, a rational
choice was made to use the key events during the period. As mentioned above, five
events including the Agra summit, the parliament attack, the military standoff, the
composite dialogue and the Mumbai attack were chosen, and a plan devised to see the
media coverage around them.
After the selection of the key milestones, the next crucial question was selection of the
newspapers. As dozens of newspapers are published in both countries, it was natural that
the entire population could not be taken for the study. Hence a rational choice has been
made, and two newspapers each from Pakistan and India selected for the study. (The
details are already given above). The next stage was how many days of coverage would
be enough. In consultation with the supervisor, it was decided that15-day for each events
was enough. (The details are given above).
The coverage time has been carefully selected. The normal pattern shows that the
newspapers will be scanned on the day of an incident and seven days before and seven
days after the incident. It has been done to see if the pattern of coverage changed due to a
particular event. But for the composite dialogue and the military standoff, the coverage
has been split into three phases as mentioned above.
14
The front, back and national pages have been scanned. Only political, security and mutual
relation related stories have been picked for analysis. Each story has been analyzed
through the headline, lead and the body of the news item. The sources of the news,
dateline and byline have been considered. The sources have been divided into three
groups:
Official Sources (OS): It includes all official on the records sources like press briefings,
statements, etc.
Anonymous Sources (AS): It includes all un-named sources.
Mixed Sources (MS): They are combination of various news sources.
Each news story has been checked for the slant by categorizing it like this:
1- Peace (P)
2- Conflict (C)
3- Neutral (N)
All stories trying to break the existing tiers of ties and exploring new ground for peace
have been clubbed as peace stories. Those news items which contribute or reinforce the
existing biases have termed as conflict stories. And all those news which portray the true
picture of ties without taking sides have been called as neutral pieces.
For the sake of further analysis these news articles on mutual relations have been
categorized as positive or negative. The positive ones try to improve the ties and the
negative stories tend to damages the relationship. But since some stories have multiple
shades of meanings, the positive and negative have been further divided into three
categories each like this:
1- Extremely Positive (EP)

2- Positive (P)
3- Slightly Positive (SP)
4- Extremely Negative (EN)
5- Negative (N)
15
6- Slightly Negative (SN)
A clear benchmark was applied to brand a story as positive, negative etc. The often-used
code system was avoided due to variety of subject matter involved. The headline, the
byline, the lead paragraph and the next two paragraphs were carefully scanned. The
technique is based on these steps:
Step 1: The headline was seen for positive or negative formulation of relations. Apart
from the words like war, peace, anti, enmity etc., the overall meanings of a headline was
branded as positive or negative. The meanings were interpreted as negative if they
highlighted negativity of any aspect of bilateral relations. For example, “India terms
invitation to APHC an irritant”, headlined by Dawn on July 8, 2001was branded as
negative. But “Offer to reopen Rajasthan route”, by the same paper on July 10, 2001 was
termed as positive. Each headline was assigned 30 positive or negative points depending
on the branding.
Step 2: The name of a news-item writer was also examined. If it was bylined or proper
credit was given to the known news agencies, then it was allotted 10 positive points,
otherwise 10 negative points.
Step 3: The intro of a story was examined for three things: First, words like war, peace,
enmity, bashing, etc., second for the overall positive or negative meanings, and third for
its source. The story was accordingly branded positive or negative 30 points. Another 10
negative points were given if the source was official and the intro was negative, while 10
positive points awarded if it was positive regardless of the kind of source.
Step 4: The next two paragraphs were give 20 points each on the basis of carrying the
negative or positive meaning.
Step 5: All news stories awarded more than 80 points were extremely positive or
extremely negative, those with 50-79 points were positive or negative, and all below 50
were slightly positive or slightly negative.
The researcher candidly accepts that despite rule-based system, the marking was not
entirely free of subjectivity. Hence, margin of 2-5 percent of possible errors.
16
Also, it should be mentioned that all peace stories are regarded as positive and all conflict
stories are considered as negative. Whereas, most of the neutral stories have been treated
as slightly positive or positive but some of them have also been branded as negative.
While the technique of content analysis was used for the print media, a different method
of elite interview was employed for the electronic media. The questionnaires (attached at
the end) were carefully prepared in consultation with the supervisor. Three
journalists/media experts each from Pakistan and India were interviewed. The three
Pakistani journalists represent three oldest and respected media houses: The Jang group,
The Herald group and The Nawa-e-Waqt group.
Ziauddin is a Pakistan journalist who was associated with the leading Dawn newspaper
for several years. He retired in 2014 as Group Editor of The Express group of
publications. He was in India at the time of the Agra Summit and closely observed it. He
frequently writes about various issues between Pakistan and India. He was also
associated with South Asia Free Media Association (Safma), working for freedom of
expression and good ties among the media professionals in the South Asia.
Rahimullah Yusufzai is a veteran journalist who started his professional career in 1975.
He has been associated with the largest Jang/Geo media group. He is based in Peshawar
and is Resident Editor of The News International. He was also associated with the BBC
since 1985. He writes for several international news outlets and has been awarded two
civilian awards, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Sitara-e-Shujaat, by the government of Pakistan
for his services in the field of journalism. He is directly linked with Pakistan-India peace
overtures as member of Neemrana Track II peace process and Aman ki Asha peace
initiative, a joint peace effort by the News and The Times of India. He is the only
journalist who interviewed Osama bin Laden twice in May and December of 1998 and
interviewed Taliban leader Mullah Omar for eight times. He was the first to interview
Omar in 1995 and also the last to interview him in 2001.
Javed Siddiq is a senior journalist and Resident Editor of daily Urdu newspaper Nawa-e-
Waqt in Islamabad. The paper is part of Nawa-e-Waqt group which owns an English
17
language newspaper The Nation and a news channel called Waqt. The group is important
as being a well-known right-wing ideologue.
Coming to the Indian experts, Karan Thapar is a well-known Indian journalist who
worked for ten years in the electronic media outside India.23 He started journalism with
The Times in Lagos, Nigeria, where he worked till 1981 when he joined London
Weekend Television. He returned to India in 1991 and has worked with various leading
media outlets. He was associated with the CNN-IBN and hosted The Devil's Advocate
and The Last Word. He left the channel to join Headlines Today television in 2014,
where he hosted the show To the Point. He is famous for intrusive questioning and made
headlines for interviewing people like Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh, General Pervez
Musharraf, Benazir Bhutto, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the
Dalai Lama. Modi had left the interview in the middle because of the harsh questions
posed by Thapar. Thapar belongs to a military family and is the youngest child of former
Chief of the Army Staff General Pran Nath Thapar, who was army chief during the 1962
war with China, which India lost.
Suhasini Haidar is a well-known Indian journalist who worked for the CNN-IBN as
foreign affairs editor and also hosted a weekly international affairs show. She also
worked for CNN International as writer and producer. Haidar has been covering Pakistan
since 1996. She covered the elections in 1997, 2008 and in 2013. She is a frequent visitor
to Pakistan.
Syed Shujaat Bukhari is a journalist and writer based in Srinagar. He has been a journalist
for over 22 years. He started working as journalist from the Kashmir Times, a respected
regional newspaper. He had been associated with The Hindu for 15 years and also wrote
for The Frontline, a news magazine. Currently, he is the editor of Rising Kashmir, a
leading regional newspaper. His group also publishes one each Urdu and Kashmiri
newspapers.
23
“Karan Thapar”, http://itv.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:karan-
thapar&catid=1:about-us&Itemid=10, accessed August 7, 2014, 4:15 pm.
18
The exact geographical or opinionated categorization of Indian media is highly difficult.

The researcher tried to follow a different path by mixing, gender, religion, local and
foreign media experiences, print and electronic media shades, etc. for a broader experts’
opinion. Karan Thapar represents hard-core Indian opinion about Pakistan. Suhasini,
brought up as a Hindu and married to Muslim (she is daughter-in-law of former foreign
secretary Salman Haidar) is voice of liberal and secular India. Bukhari has an impeccable
record as an independent journalist but also represents the Muslims and minority opinion
in the Indian media. Being a Kashmiri, he helps to unveil the complexity of Indian media
vis-à-vis Pakistan with a different perspective.
Interviews of Suhasini Haidar and Syed Shujaat Bukhari and the three Pakistani
journalists were recorded, while interview of Karan Thapar was arranged through email.
(Record of all interviews is available with the researcher). They were asked open-ended
and close-ended questions about the role of media. Some questions were specifically built
around the five main events of the period under study, while others were about overall
performance of media within the context of bilateral relations and peace efforts.
The results drawn from the content analysis and interviews were analyzed. The data
gathered was used to juxtapose the reliance of media on the official sources and its
promotion of negativity through the coverage. The final observations are based on the
scientific analysis of available material. It not only confirms the hypothesis but also
offers new angles to the topic under study, which helps to understand the role of media in
the peace process between Pakistan and India.
Organization of Study
The thesis consists of an introduction, five chapters, a conclusion, bibliography and

appendices.
Chapter 1 discusses the theoretical framework on which the research is based. It

highlights various theories about the role of media in policy making and its impact on
relations with other nations. Marc Genest agenda model, Gadi Wolfsfeld’s political
contest model, Eric Louw’s discussion on media and foreign policy, and Edward Herman
and Noam Chomsky’s concept of manufacturing consent have been used for the study.
19
Chapter 2 deals with the history of Pakistan-India relations, including major conflicts
and efforts so far made for the peaceful resolution of disputes. It also describes the main
events during 2000-2010, which is central to the research.
Chapter 3 focuses on the coverage of the Pakistani media of the five events identified for
the study during 2000-2010. Day-to-day coverage and interviews of the Pakistani experts
are part of the chapter.
Chapter 4 evaluates the Indian media and its coverage of the five events during the
research period. The selected newspapers and interviews of the experts are included in it.
Chapter 5 is analytical and built on the previous chapters. It analyses the coverage of
media in both countries and presents the findings. It also shows that the hypothesis is
vindicated and affirmed.
Conclusion gives the final findings of the research.
At the end, the study is documented with a Bibliography and also has Appendixes (1 and
2).
20
Chapter 1
Theoretical Framework
Media plays an important part in providing information to the people about everyday
happenings. Hardly anyone escapes the all-pervasive media networks of press, radio,
television and the online communications that sometimes seem ruthless in their job of
collecting news and convey them to the people sitting in their homes. The media creates
awareness and reinforces the opinion and attitudes of the readers, listeners, and viewers.24
Media has become so inextricably intertwined in every aspect of “domestic and foreign
policy” that (US) Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, refers to the new
power game as “medialism”, and David Green, who served US presidents Ford and
Reagan as a director of communication, terms it “teledemocracy”.25
1.1- Media Evolution
The word media is plural form of medium and can be used both with singular or plural
verb. It is popularly employed to denote some sort of communication from one end to
another through written word and symbols or oral traditions. Hence, television,
newspapers, radio, internet, smartphones, books, hoardings, billboards etc. are considered
as kinds of media. The Free Dictionary’s online edition in one of definitions of media
says that it is “the means of communication that reach a large number of people such as
television, newspapers and radio.”26 The term mass media is most often used invariably
in the place of media, which actually means more than just ‘media’; it stands for the
media which reaches a large segment of society in relatively shorter span of time. Also,
the mass media means more than just news, because it may involve entertainment and
propaganda or can be used for public service and educational purposes.
24
Sripada K. S. Raju, S. K. Jagadeswari, and Wimal Dissanayake. "Treating the Indo-Pakistan Conflict:
The Role of Indian Newspapers and Magazines," in News Media in National and International Conflict,
(London: Bowker 1984), 106.
25
Marvin Kalb, “Forward”, in The Media and Foreign Policy, ed. Simon Serfaty, (London: MacMillan,
1990), xiii-xiv.
26
“Communication,” http://www.the freedictionary.com/media, accessed Feb 4, 2012, 7.12 pm.
21
Media evolved gradually through the millennia. The art of hieroglyphics perfected by
Egyptians in around 3300 BC was a crude form of media. Then the Semites introduced
alphabets with consonants in around 1500 BC and the Greeks came up with vowels in
800 BC. The rudimentary media grew through the invention of papers by the Chinese in
105 AD27, and that of printing machine by a German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg in
1400 AD - the former revolutionizing the art of writing and the latter the publishing
industry. The newspapers emerged around 1600 AD. The first printed newspaper was
The Relations, published in 1605 from Antwerp in modern Belgium, but the industry
flourished in the 19th century. The press was followed by the broadcast media. Radio was
invented by Guglielmo Marcony in 1894 and it became popular after 1910 and was
effectively used during the First World War. Meanwhile, John Logie Baird invented
television in 1925 but it took more than 25 years to become a source of popular media.
The real information revolution occurred towards the end of second millennium and the
start of the 21st century. It was due to the introduction of World Wide Web (WWW) in
1990 by Tim Berners-Lee and later on by the introduction of smart phones by different
companies with the internet facility and other features. The emails and text messages
have virtually transformed the world into a global town. But newspapers remain leading
media despite the rise of broadcast media in the 20th and online communication system in
the 21st century.28
Media can be classified into different ways as under:
1-Print media: It uses physical objects for communication and comprises newspapers,
newswires magazines, books, brochures, leaflets, pamphlets etc.
2-Broadcast/electronic media: It includes television, radio, movies, CDs, DVDs, cameras,

videos, cassettes, gramophone records, etc.
3-Online/social media: It consists of online sources like emails, websites, blogging,

micro-blogging, e-papers, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other social websites.
27
Keith Ray, “Chinese Inventions,” Eye Magazine, Spring 2004, http://www.sacu.org/greatinventions.html,
accessed on April 22, 2013, 1:40 pm.
28
“History of Mass Media,” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-mass-media.html,
accessed on February 12, 2013, 8.00 pm.
22
4-Outdoor media: It is visual media and includes billboards, signs, placards, flying
billboards, blimps and sky writing.
Despite the multiplying ways of communication, newspapers and televisions are

considered the most potent tools for both media professionals and top state functionaries,
who try to use media for political ends or national interests.
Media and state authorities have an intricate relationship. When radio emerged as a
reliable source of information, which everyone could use without any demand of literacy
that newspapers readers needed, the officials thought it as a handy tool for propaganda.
After initial success in the First World War, it was used by many countries and groups
throughout the 20th century to influence the public opinions. At the global level the best
use of radio technology was made by the rival capitalist and communist blocs when the
Cold War was at its peak. Several radio networks sprung up to broadcast in various
languages. Most of them were financed or supported by Voice of America (VOA), set up
in 1942 to spearhead propaganda against the then USSR. It was followed by Radio Free
Europe (RFE) and Radio Liberation (later Liberty) which aimed at reaching the people in
the Eastern Europe. In terms of trust and respect, the British-owned BBC had been far
ahead of others, both in Asia and Africa. Despite its closeness with the government, BBC
is more respected than the VOA or other media groups.
Unlike radio, the television in its initial years was restricted to domestic audience and
was used to build national consensus on various foreign policy issues. “Television.... was
initially viewed in much more parochial terms; even during the first half of the Cold War,
its role still was confined to domestic consensus-building....and therefore not really an
issue in international affairs until the satellite age.”29
The Vietnam War is considered as a watershed in the history of media. Television and
press were able to do more intrusive and graphic coverage, thanks to the developments in
the television technology, especially after the arrival of portable videotape camera that
made it easier to capture horrific images and show them to the people back home. Since
29
Phillip Taylor, Global Communication, International Affairs and the Media since 1945, (London:
Routledge, 1997), 65.
23
then television has been increasing its hold on public ideas and thinking, and is now
considered as a key tool to influence the masses and the governments. “Since 1970s, it
has been axiomatic that television constitutes an independent force in international
affairs.”30 The First Iraq War was the first real-time media coverage coup as fighting was
taken to the drawing rooms with all brutal details. It had its down side also, as the time-
tested journalistic standards were trampled underfoot by the carpet bombing, which killed
soldiers and civilians and media was largely conspicuous by its absence or unwillingness
to report on human sufferings. The First Iraq War took media-state ties to new heights, as
truth and neutral reporting was cast aside for the sake of patriotic considerations and even
those professional journalists who felt choked at the official control over reporting, were
given cold comfort for helping the victory at the minimum cost of life and material
resources. The latest example of impact of media on political system was the fledging
role of online media and the changes it brought in countries like Tunisia, Egypt and
Yemen during the Arab Spring of revolutions.
1.2- Characteristics of Modern Media
Most of the modern media are commercial entities owned by private entrepreneurs who
run them like any other profit-making industry. The search for influence and profit
actually defines the role of media in the highly globalised world, where boundaries
between politics and economy are being redefined by concepts of political economy and
interest-based policies of leading international players. As the competition to monopolize
ever-depleting natural resources increases, the importance of information, about who
owns what, and how various competitors can lay hands on major chunk of global wealth,
becomes more important. In this context, media as a leading distributer of information
has been put in a unique position to manipulate, interfere, inform, (even misinform) and
float ideas that can change the power game and the international policies.
The commercial news media plays with the information. Culture, society, politics,
foreign affairs and economic matters are now becoming inseparable due to the
overarching role of communication media to make them available for the public scrutiny.
30
David R. Gergen, “Diplomacy in a television age: The dangers of Teledemocracy”, in The Media and
foreign policy, ed. Simon Serfaty (London: MacMillan, 1990), 47.
24
The media also prepares a framework for politicians, diplomats and servicemen to
operate and conduct their business. It has taken the centre stage and has become the
prime movers of actions and reactions in the world. As its role in the international politics
increases, it becomes more difficult to judge who controls whom, as in some cases
journalists are working as the mouthpiece of the state and thus, greatly helping the
officials to promote their propaganda in the garb of news and information. Talking about
the role of media in the Gulf War, Phillip Taylor said that journalists became the part of
the conflict, subjectively, working no more as independent observers to inform the people
about what was happening on the battlefield. “For the most part, journalists uncritically
regurgitated what they were told”31
The unchecked growth of digital communication superhighways has given birth to the
phenomenon of ‘breaking news’, which is more like a mad rush to flash the news first,
ignoring norms of professional care by and large. As more and more schools offering
specialized courses and programmes in media studies or mass communication are
opening up doors for young men and women, the ratio of so-called media qualified
people seeking jobs in media industry is increasing. It has led to the dearth of hardcore
old hands with rich personal knowledge and expertise of reporting on issues like wars and
conflicts. There are today more young and good looking reporters trudging the minefield
of journalism with leisure of backpacks, like the tourists going for outing among the
mountains instead of covering the internecine warfare. They are easy victims for the
officials, trained in dishing out selective information to highlight their mission and extol
their ‘virtues’. There is also increasing collusion between the rich bosses of media outlets
and corrupt officials as both enjoy at the cost of the people who are given the sweet doses
of (mis)information in the name of news and entertainment, also called infotainment. The
contextualized coverage which was considered important to let the people understand
news has been replaced by erratic information, usually given in bullet form. It distorts
image and creates stereotypes. As all information passed on in different shapes to others
usually impacts them in certain ways, it is a key that contents of communication should
be improved and they should not distort the reality for the benefit of any nation or group.
31
Taylor, Global Communication, xii.
25
As more media networks become operational, competition becomes intense and pressure
mounts on the officials to react to the day-to-day happenings without consulting their
advisors and specialists. It often results in creating media savvy sound bites and not the
sound policies needed to address some of the toughest challenges faced by the world.
Officials’ tendency to give spin to the news for the benefit of the government adds to the
difficulty and people sometime get a very hazy picture of the incidents. Thus, media has
become a mixed blessing: it informs as well as distorts information due to expediency or
naivety. There is increasing consensus on its influence on decision making and policy
formulation on foreign relation issues. Marc Genest says that as an elite interest group,
media has the power to influence both policy-making and the political agenda.32
The modern media has been infected with the vices of corporate culture. Now the
business executives make decisions about the ‘news’ than the editior-in-charge,
assignment heads or editors. It has led to the changes in communication which is more
focused on spot coverage. Compared with the few-seconds-news-splash, a lengthy
analysis takes more money and time to produce and could potentially annoy many people
in the power corridors and industry. It further intensifies the perceptions that media is
playing the role of a cheer-leader than eye, ear and tongue of the human conscious. It was
the reason that while dominating the airwaves during the First Iraq War and creating war
hysteria, media failed to move the people immediately against the ruthless killings in
former Yugoslavia, despite a lot of coverage. The distrust towards media continued in
coming years and it took media a lot of time to regain the trust of the people. Ultimately a
tragedy like 9/11 persuaded the people to turn to the television and newspapers.
Experts are not united on the exact amount of impact created by a particular news and a
TV image on the readers and viewers, but there remains the possibility of some sort of
impression, positive or negative, created. It is also believed that apart from propaganda,
there is an alarmist media which pushes the audience to the edge of the seats by
foretelling some crisis or predicting some disaster which may never fall. But it is not
always like this: there are cases where media starts dictating agenda, forcing officials to
behave in a certain way. It happens as the media proliferation goes unchecked, making it
32
Genest, Public Eye, 11.
26
almost impossible for the state machinery to control its contents. The 21st century is
proving to be the century of communication and information, as predicted by Alvin
Toffler in the book, The Third Wave, published in 1980. “The gathering, process,
evaluation and presentation of information about the world in which we live forms the
basis of this third wave now-making its way to the shorelines of many countries.”33
Toffler said that pace of change is increasing and states as well as individuals are finding
hard to adapt to it. Philip Taylor feels this accelerating pace has been affecting the
international relations since 1945 and “the ripples created by the introduction of new
communication technologies are influencing the way decisions about war and peace are
not just made but are also perceived through the media.”34 He says that the perception is
usually a flawed construct created by “distortion, compression and manipulations” due to
information technology and its excessive information.
As both the speed and quantity of the communication goes up, the mix of information and
misinformation will somehow try to change the political, social, economic and military
landscape of the world. Already media has changed the way the states used to interact
and conduct their relations. Taylor says that traditionally countries deal with each other in
four ways: through diplomacy, economy, military and intelligence. The fourth dimension
based on gathering of information about others has already given way what is called as
“psychological or informational dimension, which involves the gathering and
communication of information, ideas, perceptions and messages.”35 The last aspect
operates within the other three but it dominates them as it becomes the eyes and ears for
them.
Another aspect of modern media is the role of government officials in the manipulation
of information. Most important news which are of “make or break” category are not
found easily unless some crafty official or politician decided to “leak” them to a pliant
reporter, who they know will run it without any compunction. Major news are announced
in thoughtfully choreographed press conferences to dozens of journalists to maximize the
33
Taylor, Global Communication, 11.
34
35
27
coverage. President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), also termed as
‘Star wars’ is one of many examples when media was kept in complete ignorance about it
till the President announced it in his ‘famous March 1983’ speech. “The story of the
selling of SDI, then, provides a telling answer to one of this volume’s central question-
who sets the national news agenda?”36
There were other several occasions when governments used media for their own agenda.
The issue of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction, as fed by the Bush administration
before the Iraq War in 2003, is a case in point. “The government, not the news media,
dominates the national news agenda. More often than not, the president (of US) and his
administration can determine when something becomes news, how long it stays in the
news.”37
It does not mean that media is just the mouthpiece of the government, a mute transmitters
of information, no matter how much cooked it was. There are many reasons to believe
that all media and all journalists cannot be manipulated by official strong arm tactics, nor
by many temptations which money and power can offer. Such professionals had been the
guiding spirit for generations of journalists and stood for what independent professional
reporting business means. But more has happened than this: the sheer numerical growth
of media and its branches has made it virtually impossible for state organs to control each
one of media or its practitioners. “The phenomenon of ‘medialism’ produces ever larger
streams of less and less filtered information that cross national boundaries...The effect is
to introduce new and often unpredictable forces into the policy process.”38
It brings us to another aspect of media that is based on its power which is derived from
information that media possess. It is termed as ‘information power’ which like any other
form of power is ability to exercise control on the actions of others, as also renowned
scholar Hans Morgenthau defines power as the ‘man’s control over mind and actions of
36
Phillip L. Geyelin, “The strategic defence initiative: The president’s Story,” in The Media and Foreign
policy, ed. Simon Serfaty (London: MacMillan, 1990), 19.
37
R. Gregory Nokes, “Libya: A government story,” in The Media and foreign policy, ed. Simon Serfaty
(London: Macmillan, 1990), 33.
38
Simon Serfaty, “The Media and foreign policy,” in The media and foreign policy, ed. Simon Serfaty
(London: Macmillan, 1990), 6.
28
others’, as ‘a psychological relations between those who exercise it and those over whom
it is exercised’.39
The new relation between the press corps and officialdom is determined by the
technology which is not under control of anyone. Apart from technology, also news
consumption pattern have changed, with people demanding more short and crispy pieces
than lengthy in-depth analysis. The merger and acquisitions and multiple ownership have
further complicated the role of media. Despite the proliferation of media, the big Western
organisations exercise full monopoly over news gathering and distribution. Though, there
are hundreds of newswires but no one can compete with AP, Reuters and AFP for
extensive network of reporters all over the world or BBC for global audience which had
around 140 million viewers in the mid-1990s.40
The above discussion helps to formulate a few basic characteristics of modern media.
First, media is a power in its own right and its power is based on the information that it
carries and conveys. This is modern equivalent of old saying that 'knowledge is power’.
Second, media usually works in coordination with government but the nature of relation
is ambivalent and may swing in either extreme, depending on several factors. Third,
media is an important tool to influence public opinions and prepares a ground for some of
the difficult decisions which the officials take. Fourth, the independence of media is
relative and may vary from issue to issue and government to government.
Fifth, the policy making process is influenced by media through commentaries, analyses,
talk shows, blogs and social media inputs. Sixth, media, whether operating independently
or not, relies a lot on the goodwill of government of the day for information. Seventh,
though new forms of media are emerging but press including newspapers, newswires,
news magazines and electronic media, primarily television, enjoys the status of
mainstream media with maximum outreach. Eighth, media has the role of a watchdog
than setting agenda for the states, but since there is no fixed rule for media coverage and
39
40
29
operations, it can adopt any role easily. That is why it starts dictating terms to weaker
rulers and start performing role of agenda-setting agency.
Ninth, most of the international media is nationalistic and majority of news coverage is
slanted along the ethnic and national lines, which at times complicates the reality and
thus, the unbiased information is lost in the maze of patriotic jargons.
1.3- Media and Agenda
How effective media is in setting the agenda for policies and actions of various states is
difficult to adjudge. It is not easy to say whether media controls the policy makers or vice
versa. Different schools of thoughts on the impact of media on policy making in general
and foreign policy in particular are divided to the point of confusion. There are examples
where media forcefully set the agenda on a particular issue, but the same print or
electronic media was towing the official line unhesitatingly on a different matter of equal
importance. Still more, it may stir up public anger on some matter to force the
government to fine-tune the policy for accommodating the popular perspective and hence
build the agenda. Not only to find a consensus on the role of media in determining the
relations between the states is elusive but also it is still a big challenge for academicians
and intellectuals as well as for the policy makers to find the exact impact of media in the
foreign policy domain.
Most of time media plays by the basic rule of what will increase its appeal or what will be
financially beneficial. After all it is the modern corporate news media run by the rich
businessmen who at the end of the day have to pay salaries and run the organisations. A
lot of principles are abandoned by media for the earthy issues, prompting the government
- the most powerful agency in a country - to pressure it to give front page and prime time
coverage to its opinion even when most journalists would never like it.
In addition to how media figures in the agenda setting, it is important to determine who
decides the editorial contents or the front and back pages lead items or who blows an
ordinary story out of proportion for the news bulletin? There is no single answer to these
questions, as a number of people including editors, marketing men and owners decide
about the inclusion and placement of news items. But a linked question with all the above
30
key issues is: Who makes the news? A lot of people may believe that some adventurous
reporter in sheer audacity of professional commitment delves deep into the treasure trove
of information and brings a news item to the editor who with a childlike fantasy chisels it
into flawless copy for the front page four column cracking news with a shrieking
headline. It may be correct in one of many cases but it is not always true, rather most of
the time. Hence, it is important to know the relationship between media and official
agenda and if media has any influence on the agenda formulation.
Marc A Genest in his book titled Negotiating in the Public Eye has classified the media
into three categories, according to its role in defining agenda for governments:
1-Agenda-setting media
2-Agenda-building media
3-Agenda- reflecting media
The agenda-setting press is the strongest exponent of free media and mostly depends on
private sources for news. It has its own agenda and governments are forced to follow it as
it is not dependent on the officials for news stories and resources. Austin Ranney in his
book, Channels of Power: The Impact of Television on American Politics, argues that
“the media not only sets the agenda but also creates a ‘fast-forward’ effect in politics”,
whereas Martin Linsky while recognizing the fast-forwarding role of press says that “it
put additional pressure on official to act quickly.”41
Media according to agenda-setting school performs these functions:
1- Sorts out issues
2- Sets priority for the governments
3- Sets agenda for official policy makers
4- Fast-forwards the decision and implementation process
5- Makes the officials accountable for failures
41
31
The agenda-building media stands mid-way between extreme freedom and extreme
dependence, as it relies both on the government and private sources for news materials. It
helps governments to build agenda but with its own streak of opinions and views. While
getting the primary information from the official sources, it twists it according to its
priority for public consumption. According to Lang and Lang, as quoted by Marc Genest,
agenda-building is the most accurate description for the impact of the press on the
decision-making process. It shows that press is one of many influences for shaping up a
particular policy.42 The role of media according to agenda-building school can be
classified as follows:
1- Mostly government selects the issue
2- Media using government and non-government sources analyses the issue
3- Crystallizes the issue for public debate by providing context
4- Builds public opinion around official agenda
5- May initiate changes, improvements, rectifications in the official agenda
The agenda-reflecting media is totally reliant on the officials. The latest concept of
“embedding journalism” as well as media in the autocratic regimes falls in this category.
In this case, the government controls the information and is in the classic position of “he
who commands information, sets the agenda”. Reporters many times are used by the
officials who in the garb of classified information dish out selected agenda of the
government in bits and parts and the journalists having no other option but to just happily
feed on it and transmit it, thinking that they were part of the small group getting the
information. This role makes media as a mouthpiece of the official propaganda, though
not always unknowingly, as the corporate media may extract a price for it. Thus, the
agenda-reflecting press only follows and seldom leads, as it reacts to the newsy events
created by the government. Its main characteristics are:
1- Depends on government
42
32
2- Just explains the official policy and propaganda
3- Prepares ground for acceptance of official version of truth
4- Uses unnamed sources or officials for news
5- No in-depth analysis of policies
1.4- Media and Foreign Policy
Lawrence Eagleburger, US Secretary of State when troops were sent to Somalia, said “if
there hadn’t been television and the reporting on the mess in Somalia we would never
have done it (sent troops), absolutely correct.”43 If George H.W. Bush was moved to
launch troops after TV images of starving children in Somalia in 1992, his successor Bill
Clinton, was forced to pull out the same troops a year later when the body of a US soldier
was shown being dragged in the streets of Mogadishu. “Judy woodruff, the CNN anchor,
suggested one measure of the power of television pictures when she said that soldier’s
body had been seen in CNN’s report for only two and a half second.”44 It shows the
power of media as a player in the international politics.
Media has earned the honorific of the ‘fourth estate’, as it provides the states with a vital
tool to deal with the enemies through the propaganda warfare and psyops or
psychological operations. Modern states deal with others in four distinct ways:
diplomacy, economic power, military might or coercion and intelligence or psyops or
information. The fourth dimension is based on media.45
Media and politics are entwined. The contest among various players to dominate news
media is part of all national and international conflicts. The efforts are not just for the
coverage but also for the more crucial objective of establishing political control. One of
the best examples is this respect is the control exercised by the US over media during the
Gulf War, when media was carefully fed with what Pentagon wanted. Journalists were
left with no option but use the official version of the war and by the time they realized
43
Stephen Hess and Marvin Kalb, ed., The media and the war on terrorisms, (Karachi: OUP, 2004), 9.
44
Hess and Kalb, Media and War, 9.
45
33
that the US officials were narrating a pre-war-scripted version of events, many of them
were frustrated. Gadi Wolfsfeld says that the American media experts had decided how to
control media much before the actual war started. “The journalists were extremely
frustrated by their lack of independence but there was little they could do about it.”46 He
says all the contacts with the media were centralised through Journalist Information
Bureaux (JIBs) and they were briefed in Dhahran and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, far away
from the theatre of fighting. All reports and pictures were first approved by the army and
then released. This kind of strict censorship was made possible by the ‘national interest
theory’, forcing everyone to follow the controlled coverage without questioning the
rationale of depriving the people of their right to the right information. As the patriotism
during the war with a foreign enemy demanded support for the American military action,
so everyone was silent, even Congress, though President Bush got very narrow support in
the Senate for war. The vote on January 13 - 52 for and 47 against the war - showed a lot
of reservations. Once the war began, the ‘elite consensus’ was forged, and media lost
even those who had opposed the war in Congress.
However, the strict censor could not hold for a long period.When the ground offensive
defeated the Iraqis, the horrors of the conflict were fully known. The events like bombing
of an Iraqi baby milk factory and stories about the ‘Highway of Death’ in which about
1000 Iraqi military vehicles were destroyed, did help change the one-way narrative of the
Gulf war.47
But it was late and the media had played its ‘role’ the way the allied forces wanted. It
also shows that media cannot be held hostage for an indefinite period and its perception
of international events changes over a period of time, besides its impact on the foreign
policy issues.
It helps to understand about the role of media in the formulation of policy. Though, it is
frequently said that “prior to the advent of the mass media, diplomacy was the sport of
kings and, as such, it had little or nothing to do with public opinion”,48 but changes have
46
Gadi Wolfsfeld, Media and Political Conflict, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997), 133-134.
47
Wolfsfeld, Media and Conflict, 136.
48
34
occurred in the way foreign relations are conducted today. Though, media solely is not
responsible for it. Most of the openness in the realm of foreign relations occurred when
the international community discarded the concept of ‘secret diplomacy’ which was
responsible for a lot of troubles. It is believed that the First World War was caused by
secret agreements and alliance system that divided the major powers into two groups.
Also the induction of nuclear weapons has obliterated the distance between the “public
and private” in terms of war and now the decision of the rulers about foreign policy
issues not only affect them personally but in cases of conflict, common people are easily
dragged into them. So the foreign policy is no more ‘foreign’ as it used to be some
decades ago.
It has also created some sort of friction between media and government and the
cooperative relations enjoyed by the two in the most part of the 20th century, due to the
East-West rivalry, are gradually decreasing. The new media-government relationship is
defined by a thick array of rivalry over information and rising competition to collect news
and transmit them for the general consumption. It does not mean that media has become
totally free of state control, but things are changing.
The nature of relations is also dependent on the kind of media. Traditionally, newspapers
have been freer and more critical of governments and the broadcast media have been
more submissive. One of the reasons is that it is easier to control and stifle it. The growth
of the broadcast media had been in different circumstances. Television was used to “serve
as an instrument of national mobilization” because “it is a medium whose patriotism can
seldom be challenged”.49 Similarly, radio worked as a tool for propaganda for the most
part of the last century.
Media’s impact on policy making not only flows from its power to extract information
and spread it all over the world, but also to channelize public opinion about national and
international matters of importance. Foreign policy may be totally divorced of any moral
moorings but it cannot simply ignore the popular sentiments. Media through
commentaries, news analyses, features, letters to editors, talk shows, telephone calls,
49
Elie Abel, “Television in International Conflicts,” in The New Media in National and International
Conflicts, ed. Andrew Arno and Wimal Dissanayake (Boulder; Westview press, 1984), 69.
35
interactive discussions and background information amplifies the critical views of the
masses and help mould the policies. It is two-way traffic: government tries to sway
people according to its desires on national issues but there are always groups and
individuals who carry a personal opinion and express it also. Media acts as a conduit for
this two-way transfer of views. Since media thrives on conflicts, unlike diplomacy that
aims at conflict-resolution, hence once “CNN (media) is on the story, the media
drumbeats begins, public opinion is engaged and a diplomat’s option recede.”50
Tim Allen and Jean Seaton are more categorical about the role of media in war and
peace. “Wars are partly what the media make them....To a large extent the term ‘war’ is
ascribed to situations by journalists in such a way as to accord them a degree of status.”51
Talking about the causes of conflicts, they say that “wars are not product of natural
differences, but of social processes”52 and that ethnic issues do not have any biological
basis. It shows that media and communications perpetuate conflicting attitudes which are
reflected in war like behaviours.
Television has become a game-changer. It is common saying that ‘if you want to stir the
government or any official, engage television.’ The television coverage from the Gulf
War to Somalia conflict, war in Bosnia, attack on Afghanistan and invasion of Iraq had
been spectacularly engaging. In Pakistan, a video of Taliban whipping a woman in
northwestern Swat region was repeatedly shown on television in 2009, mounting pressure
on military elite to take strict action against the militants. An operation was launched in
the same year, which forced the rebels to flee.
In most recent times, the long March by anti-government cleric Tahirul Qadri from
Lahore to Islamabad in January 2013 was mostly media-ized affair. Much before his
return from Canada where he had been living for more than five years, he was catapulted
to uneven heights by the local private channels. His special interviews were arranged to
magnify the protest. Consequently, the man whose ‘patriotism’ was questioned by his
opponenets due to being a dual national was transformed into a hero overnight, forcing an
50
51
Allen and Seaton, Media of Conflict, 3.
52
Allen and Seaton, Media of Conflict, 2.
36
elected government to hold talks with him though he did not have a single elected person
from his party to the parliament. Obviously media, especially television channels, made it
possible.
How media forces the change? There is no precise science to evaluate and quantify the
exact impact of television viewing or newspaper reading on the viewers and readers but
communion with the images and words may initiate positive or negative reactions. The
stunning footages and headlines can create fear, anxiety, hatred, love, sympathy and
various other feelings that cannot be calculated perfectly. Over a long period of time and
for a greater number of audiences, these set of feelings evolve into utterances and actions,
forcing a chain reaction of changes. Phillip Taylor says "just we do not yet know
precisely how to measure media effects does not mean that those effects do not exist.”53
It becomes even more interesting if analyzed in the light of views of Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who invoked the Heisenberg Principle to explain that
television tries to change things. "Television is no longer a spectator.... We now have the
Heisenberg physics of politics. As you observe phenomenon with television, instantly
you modify it somehow.”54 Media also derives its impact from being the first to give the
information. In many times, not only it provides information to the common people but
also it is first to inform the officials and sovereigns or their staff. George Bush reportedly
once said: "I learn more from CNN that I do from the CIA.”55 The phenomenon of being
the first point of contact also influences the people.
The power of media to force government change its foreign policy was first time
demonstrated when negative coverage of the Vietnam War made it very unpopular
among the American citizens. It was the failure of US media policy, as “Vietnam became
a communication disaster for the US military."56 A large number of Americans turned
against their government, as its failure on the battlefield was reflected in the media,
which the officials had failed to control.
53
54
55
Taylor, Global Communication, 93-94.
56
37
Expert Eric Louw’s book, The Media and Political Process, which has given detailed
analysis of media-ized and PR-ized warfare and political process, shows how sometimes
the officials start dictating the media. He suggests that the people should be skeptical of
the news media and ask critical questions about who constructs the televised images. “In
essence, we must not accept these televisual representations at face value.”57 It shows that
state institutions still enjoy a lot of sway over media when it comes to key issues of
foreign policy but they need media for convincing masses about the utility of the polices,
which may be even detrimental to the public. For example, people fund the big wars
through taxes but the same people never question the waste of huge resources in wars as
their opinions have already been manipulated through media. Louw also supports
constructivists approach to the media coverage, which he says is “well suited to
understand the process of media-ized communication”. (Constructivism is a way of
seeing and understanding the world based on the premise that as human beings we
experience the world mentally-i.e. we relate to the world through our mind. Hence,
'knowing' becomes an 'internal’ (cognitive) process).
Louw also rejects that media is like mirror and just shows what is happening around us.
He says that it is more like ‘Plato’s prisoner in the cave’ situation but the artificial
shadow in the ‘cave’ used to create images for the prisoners have been replaced by the
television screen. Louw’s observations are important as he rejects the most hyped
concept of media that it is ‘free’ and provides a window to understand the world in an
objective way. He says that a news report goes through numerous stages before being
printed or flashed, so the end product can seldom be objective and free from biases. He
has painted possible scenarios about media impact on foreign policy and concluded that it
was not static and the role of media vis-a-vis policy formulation and decisions related to
matters of national interest varies, depending on the nature of the government and the
‘elite consensus’. If the policy makers are united on an issue and have ready policy, then
media cannot influence the policy making. But it can play its role in policy
implementation stage, which will be more of a watchdog. Media becomes important if
the elite are divided over an issue or do not have readymade policy. In that case, they take
57
38
help from the media to ‘manufacture consent’ by involving the public opinion and the
intelligentsia in the policy making process.
1.5- Theoretical Framework for Research
After going through various aspects of media and its impact on policies, the discussion
has come to the point of formulating a framework for the study. By using the background
information and academic knowledge, the researcher has built a theoretical base,
reflecting how media in Pakistan and India play a role in their bilateral relations and
peace process.
According to Colin Semour-Ure media is central to all communication and an important

determinant of the social activity and political system. During the process of
communication, media initiates primary and secondary reactions or changes in the
attitudes or behavior of the people.58 The research is based on the premise that conduct of
the foreign relations and formulation of foreign policy are also communications that
initiate some effects. As the media has become a source of international communication
and posturing, it is important to first understand various approaches to the international
communication.
According to Hamid Mowlana four basic approaches cover the international

communication. The idealistic-humanistic approach says that international
communication is a means to bring people and nations together. The second approach
called as political proselytization identifies the international communication with
propaganda and ideological confrontation. The third approach views information as a tool
for economic power which uses aid, development projects and business ventures to
dominate the weaker countries. The fourth approach characterizes information in the
international arena as a subtle method for the political power. It says that news, data and
58
Semour-Ure, Political Impact, 22.
39
entertainment provided freely through media is loaded with political overtones.59 Most of
the time, the last three approaches to communications are used by various countries.
The relations between Pakistan and India are complex and cannot be tackled through a
single theoretical model. The three models by Genest help to define the broader outline of
the thesis for the role of media in India-Pakistan ties. The media in the two countries uses
all three models, depending on the issues but the general framework of the study is based
on the agenda-building media approach. However, the agenda-setting and agenda-
reflecting frameworks have also been used depending on the nature of news media.
The researcher has also used the ‘political contest model’ of Gadi Wolfsfeld, who in his
book, Media and Political Conflicts, presents a theoretical framework about the use of
media by the adversaries to win public support. The model has limited application in the
research because it mostly deals with conflicts where a rebel group challenges the
established authority and hence, it cannot be fully applicable to foreign policy issues. His
‘political contest model’ is based on five principles. The third principle says that “role of
news media in political conflicts varies over time and circumstances” 60
and it has been
useful for the study.
The researcher has also used Eric Louw’s discussion about media and foreign policy,
which helps to understand the role of media in policy making. Manufacturing Consent by
Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky has also helped to formulate the framework. The
two authors in the book argue that mass media in the US is a powerful institution and
works in support of the prevalent system by manufacturing artificial consensus on
issues.61
Based on the opinions of these experts, a theoretical framework has been evolved to
study the role of media in the relations between Pakistan and India. The researcher has
kept in mind the side issues like the kind of media, its relations with the government,
official media policy, the relative freedom of expression and level of professionalism.
59
Hamid Mowlana, “Communication, World Power, and Human Potential: Towards an Ethical
Framework,” in The New Media and Foreign Relations: A Multifaceted Perspective, A Malek eds.,
(Norwood, NJ: Ablex), 1998, 27-28.
60
Wolfsfeld, Media and Conflict, 2.
61
Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky, Manufacturing Consent, (New York: Pantheon Books, 1988), 306.
40
The application of the theoretical framework and theoretical findings will be presented in
the coming chapters. The final principles will be part of conclusion at the end.
41
Chapter 2
Pakistan-India Relations: An Appraisal
The relation between the two states of Pakistan and India, created by dividing the British
India into Muslim and Hindu majority countries in 1947, started on a sour note. Hundreds
of thousands of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs left their centuries-old abodes and migrated
across the border, as an unprecedented exchange of population, to settle either in Pakistan
or India. The disorderly movements caused huge consternations among the people and
riots and mutual killings were outcome of the chaotic situation. Thus, the joint
independence is the event that set stage for rivalry.62
In the initial weeks and months of division, thousands of innocent people were killed in
the name of religious rivalry and communal frenzy, while thousands others including
women and children went missing. The senseless massacre set the tone for Pak-India ties
in the foreseeable future. J.N. Dixit says that there are few examples in the history of
relations where two states have stagnated in a confrontationist mode, despite their civil
societies having intense and wide-ranging commonalities. “India and Pakistan, from their
very inception as independent countries, have been stuck in an adversarial predicament
owing to a number of reasons.”63
There have been wars, limited conflicts, border skirmishes, intrusions, warlike situations
and confrontations. “The bloodbath of secession in the name of Partition of the Indian
empire, four wars in fifty years, the intractable question of Kashmir, a climate of
suspicion and continual accusation: the history of relations between Pakistan and India is
a history of failure”.64
But amidst war and fighting, the two countries also frequently tried to solve the bilateral
issues through talks, diplomacy, third party mediations and trade conferences, though
with limited success to solve the thorny issues.
62
Thazha V. Paul, ed., The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry, (Cambridge; Cambridge
University Press, 2005), 33.
63
J.N. Dixit, India-Pakistan in War and Peace, (London: Routledge, 2002), 10.
64
Christophe Jaffrelot, ed. A History of Pakistan and its Origins, trans. Gillian Beaumont (London:
Anthem press, 2008), 112.
42
2.1- From Independence to Dismemberment: 1947-1971
While the two nations were still suffering the pangs of partition, the first conflict started
in October 1947 over the Himalayan region of Kashmir65, which was one of the hundreds
of princely states in British India. It had Muslim majority but was ruled by a Hindu ruler.
The states of India were allowed by the British to either accede to Pakistan or India
keeping in view the sentiments of the people and geographical realities. While the
Muslims in Kashmir were apparently inclined to join Pakistan and had started an armed
struggle to force the ruler decide in their favour, its Hindu ruler signed an accession deed
with India on 26 October 1947. India sent army in Kashmir following the accession and
started operation against the armed Muslims, already fighting the disorganized troops of
the former ruler, also called as the Maharaja. There was a lot of pressure on Pakistan and
finally it retaliated by sending troops in May 194866 and the first ever hostilities between
the newly independent states started.
The first war (1948-49) ended on January 1, 1949 after the UN intervened. A ceasefire
was announced as the two sides agreed through a UN resolution of 9 January 1949 to
decide the fate of the region through a fair plebiscite.
The uneasy truce in Kashmir had seeds of further conflicts as it was divided into two
parts, each one controlled by Pakistan and India. The two countries refused to accept each
other’s claim on Kashmir and termed rival control over other half as ‘occupation’. India
announced that the ground realities had changed after Pakistan in May 1954 signed
Mutual Defence Agreement67 with the US to counter the former USSR. Pakistan
meanwhile also joined the US sponsored security arrangements – South-East Asia Treaty
Organisation (SEATO) in 1954 and Baghdad Pact in 1955, renamed as Central Treaty
Organisation in1958 - following which Washington provided massive military aid to
equip Pakistan. “Pakistan has room for the western states and especially for the United
65
Victoria Schofield, Kashmir in conflict: India, Pakistan and the unending war, (IB Tauris, 2000), 22.
66
Jaffrelot ed., Beaumont trns., History of Pakistan Origins, 120.
67
Lawrence Ziring, Pakistan: The Enigma of Political Development, (Kent: Dawson Westview, 1980), 221.
43
States because it required leverage with which to combat India, it became the recipient of
significant stores of relative modern military equipment”.68
India responded by refusing to hold referendum in Kashmir and introduced a number of

changes in its legal status which culminated in merger of Kashmir into Indian union in
1956.
Kashmir has been termed in official Pakistani narrative as ‘jugular vein’ as its all major
rivers originate from Kashmir. The agricultural prosperity of the country is dependent on
the waters of these rivers. Hence, the Himalayan region is considered as vital for the
country.
Pakistan’s Kashmir policy from 1947 to 1971 can be divided into two phases. After the
first war on Kashmir, the country tried its best to get the issue resolved through the
mediation of the UN and the western countries. But such efforts failed. By 1960, Pakistan
was convinced that India will not accept any third party role for the resolution of the
issue. In this second phase of post-1960 period, Pakistanis seriously searched for other
options including a military solution like the 1965 war, also called the second Kashmir
war.
The regional situation dramatically changed after the brief Sino-India war of 1962. The
West was perturbed at the defeat of India by communist China and started giving it
military aid to bolster its defence. Pakistan being part of the western security pacts was
agitated as it considered India as an adversary. The failure to stop rearming of its
neighbour forced Pakistan to start mending relations with China. Also, the situation in
Kashmir was deteriorating due to the alleged interference of India. Meanwhile, Indian
founding leader Nehru had died in 1964, leaving the country in the hands of weaker
leaders. Indian political weakness after Nehru, humiliation by the Chinese and resentment
in Kashmir was in the mind of Pakistani military junta that had taken control of the
country in 1958 after sending home the civilian government. There was also a brief
encounter with Indian army in Rann of Kutch, a low-lying marshy region between Sindh
68
Ziring, Enigma of Development, 222.
44
province and Gujarat state of India, in April 1965, with Pakistan having upper hand over
India. The incident further emboldened the military planners in Pakistan.
As the situation in Kashmir deteriorated, Pakistani military leadership, already

disillusioned with the failure of UN and the West to help resolve the issue, went ahead to
intervene. The idea was to foment rebellion by tapping anti-Indian sentiments and
sending armed military men into the region to help popular uprising. The operation plan
was prepared by Major General Akhtar Husain Malik and was code named as
“Gibraltar”. “It was based on three assumptions - people in Kashmir would rise to
support the guerillas, a large scale Indian offensive against Azad Kashmir (controlled by
Pakistan) was unlikely. And the possibility of attack across the international border could
be ruled out.”69
The operation went wrong from the beginning. Unlike Pakistani expectations, the unrest
in Kashmir could not be transformed into popular uprising and soon the conflict spiraled
into full scale war when India crossed the international border on September 6, 1965. The
result was the major conflict involving the two armies. The war was a brief affair and the
two sides agreed to ceasefire through a UN resolution on 22 September. The hostilities
were terminated a few months later when the two signed Tashkent Agreement in January
1966.
The war had far-reaching consequences as the trade between the two sides was stopped
which has not properly started as yet, even after several rounds of trade talks. The
cultural ties suffered as the exhibition of Indian movies was also banned by Pakistan70,
and the travel restrictions imposed by the two sides had a long term impact on the people-
to-people relations.
Tashkent peace was arranged through the good offices of the Soviet Union but it failed to
address the real cause of the war - the unresolved issue of Kashmir. The two countries
ended hostilities without changing hostile attitudes. It only provided a temporary relief.
69
Abdul Sattar, Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: 1947-2005, (Karachi: OUP, 2007), 94.
70
Kavita Amarnani, “Beating the ban on Bollywood,” The Guardian, February 4, 2008,
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2008/feb/04/beatingthebanonbollywood, accessed May 25,
2015, 3.50 pm
45
Meanwhile, the domestic political situation took a sharp turn in Pakistan when some of
the politicians termed the Tashkent agreement as a sell-out to India in order to defame the
military ruler and President Ayub Khan.
A movement started and Khan resigned in 1969 by handing over the power to army chief
General Yahya Khan who organised elections in 1970. The outcome was unexpected, as
separatist-minded Awami League party emerged as the single largest in the country as
well as the sole party in East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh). As the ruling military-civil
elite refused to hand over the power to Awami League leader Majeeb ur Rehman, a
rebellion started in East Pakistan in early 1971. Instead of sorting out the issues through
talks, the military launched an operation and tried to suppress the popular sentiments by
force. The situation went out of control, giving India a chance to intervene in December.
The result was the third Pakistan-India War. As the army was not well prepared to deal
with the onslaught, it had to suffer a humiliating surrender on December 16, 1971 and
East Pakistan was declared as an independent country - Bangladesh.
This phase of the Indo-Pakistan ties started and ended with a conflict. It was marked by
hostilities and deepened the mistrust, alienation and enmity.
2.2- From Simla to Kargil: 1972-1999
The 1971 debacle was a multifaceted disaster for Pakistan. The loss of half the country or
the Eastern arm as it was called was morale-sapping. The defeat for the military was even
worse as 90,000 soldiers were taken POWs by India and transferred to camps inside
India. At this critical moment Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, (whose Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
had won majority in rest of Pakistan in the 1970 elections), took over as civilian martial
law administrator as General Yahya Khan was forced to resign due to military defeat.
Bhutto had a huge task ahead of him. He needed to set up a democratic government and
settle several foreign policy issues, including talks with India to bring back captured
troops.
To address this and other issues, Bhutto started talks with Indian Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi at Simla, a summer resort in India. The two finally signed the Simla agreement
on 3 July 1972. It was an important step in relations between the two nations as both
46
sides agreed to solve all outstanding issues including Kashmir through bilateral
discussions.71
The rest of 1970s was uneventful except that India carried out its first nuclear tests in
1974, stimulating an urge in Pakistan to follow the same route to ensure security against a
mighty neighbour. It embarked on a clandestine nuclear programme and through luck and
management of international concerns, finally emerged as a nuclear state many years
later in 1998.
The dynamics of relations changed in the 80s, as Pakistan slowly nursed itself back from
the humiliation of 1971. The country was helped by the events in Afghanistan. Also,
Indira Gandhi had lost the charisma and the power she enjoyed a decade ago. Her
emergency rule from 1975 to 1977, mishandling of Sikh insurgency and occupation of
Golden Temple in 1984 were only redeemed to some extent by her tragic killing. The
Indian officials and press blamed Pakistan for exploiting the internal Indian situation by
providing support to Sikh rebels who wanted to create a separate country Khalistan.72
Kashmir was forgotten for some time but it sprang back in the Indo-Pak equation in1984
when India surprised Pakistan, despite its internal problems, by sending troops and
occupying the Siachen glacier in Kashmir. Pakistan had no option but to deploy soldiers
on the freezing heights at the altitude of 6000 meters, the highest battlefield in the world,
where more deaths occurred due to extreme weather than actual combat.
In 1984 Pakistan was also seized with the fear of Indian rumored plan to attack its nuclear
facility in Kahuta near Islamabad. “Pakistan received a number of intelligence reports
during 1983-85 that India was preparing an air attack on its uranium enrichment plant at
Kahuta.”73 It was further reported that India planned to carry out surgical strikes with
the help of Israel or Soviet installed regime in Kabul. The US stepped in to allay
Islamabad’s apprehension and duly informed the military rulers after checking with Israel
that the reports were not true. India was also informed by Pakistan that any such act
71
Jaffrelot ed., Beaumont trns., History of Pakistan Origins, 124.
72
Inderjit Badhwar and Tavleen Singh, "Sikh terrorists: The Pakistan hand", India Today, May 15, 1986,
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-involvement-in-sikh-terrorism-in-punjab-based-on-solid-
evidence-india/1/348451.html, accessed May 25, 2015, 4.40 pm.
73
Sattar, Pakistan Foreign Policy, 193.
47
would be treated as ‘aggression’. The situation normalized to some extent after both sides
agreed informally in December 1985 that they will not attack each other’s nuclear
facilities.74
Soon after this false nuclear alarm, another crisis brewed, this time due to huge military
exercise Brasstacks by India in the winter of 1986-87. The exercise launched in
November near the Pakistani border sparked a three-month crisis.75 Pakistan fearing
Indian “pincer” attack moved its troops near the Indian border of Punjab. The crisis
peaked in January 1987 but ended next month when the two sides signed an agreement in
February to deactivate the forward air bases and sector by sector pull back of troops.76
Once again the two sides were brought back from the brink but as no mechanism was in
place to deal with decades old problems, the de-escalation proved temporary.
The situation in Indian held Kashmir sharply deteriorated in 1989. The people were
alienated by Indian political manipulation after death of Sheikh Abdullah in 1982. The
grievances were already there but the blatant fraud in the elections of 1987 set a wave of
violent reactions in motion. People took to the streets and riots began. India used familiar
tactics of brutal crackdown to subdue the mobsters. The situation was tailor-made for
Pakistan which was on the lookout for a “popular uprising” against “Indian occupation”.
It is said that Pakistan exploited the situation in Kashmir by covertly supporting militant
activities. Thus, there started a new phase of struggle in Kashmir, allegedly supported by
infiltrations from Pakistani Kashmir.
The rebellion also coincided with the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan
where hundreds of hardcore jihadists were out of “job”. It is said that Pakistan diverted
some of them to Kashmir.77 Indians were greatly perturbed with Pakistan’s new strategy
in Kashmir and it led to the buildup of a crisis by the spring of 1990. “Trading
74
75
P.R. Chari et al, Four crises and a Peace Process (New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers, 2008), 39.
76
77
Sushant Sareen, The Jihad Factory: Pakistan’s Islamic Revolution in the Making, (New Delhi: Har-
Anand Publication, 2005), 105-107.
48
accusations and threats, India and Pakistan spent February, March and April of 1990
seemingly preparing for war.”78
India alleged that Kashmir unrest was created by Pakistan and reportedly started planning
some sort of punitive action against militants in Pakistani part of Kashmir. America
promptly moved in to cool tempers by sending then assistant for national security Robert
Gates, later defence secretary, to both countries in May 1990 and the situation was
brought under control. Another potential conflict in the sub-continent was avoided by
timely interference of a third party, but as in the past, the real festering wound in the
relations was not healed, leaving a lot of space for future wars and tensions.
The relations remained hostage to Kashmir in the most part of the 1990s. A number of
freelance militant outfits sprang up to wage “jihad” against India in Kashmir. Meanwhile,
the two sides detonated nuclear devices in 1998, giving a new dimension to the crisis-
ridden relations.
But there were also good times in the 90s, as the two sides tried to mend ties through
talks. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Indian leader Inder Kumar Gujral on
different occasions and the two agreed on talks. Later, Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee visited Lahore in 1999. Just when the relations were moving slowly towards a
positive direction, a new crisis erupted and the Kargil war brought the two nuclear armed
neighbours on the verge of disaster.
The border conflict in the Kargil sector on the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and
Kashmir was the fifth large scale confrontation and lasted from 6 May to roughly the end
of July 1999.79 The fighting has been termed as a “small war”, but it attracted a lot of
international attentions.80 The occupation of strategic peaks was a brilliant military idea.
It was based on a plan to sneak troops to the Kargil heights in the winter when Indian
soldiers traditionally withdrew as part of annual exercise to save themselves from
extreme frost.
78
Chari et al, Four Crises, 80.
79
Dixit, India-Pakistan, 25.
80
49
But the Pakistan military planners had failed to provide for a political exit in case the
adventure went awry, as it did in the end. For Pakistan, once again the situation was
saved by the US when President Bill Clinton received Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for
an emergency meeting on Saturday, 4 July – the US Independence Day. After talking to
Indian leader Vajpayee on telephone, Clinton prepared the two sides to end the
hostilities.81 The crisis ended when Pakistan pulled back its troops on July 16.
“Nevertheless, the Kargil war was shock for India, which after the constructive talks at
Lahore, saw it an act of treachery by Pakistan.”82
Former Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said that Sharif’s dash to Washington could be
compared to the request by former military leader Yahya Khan to the US for help to
come out of 1971 war, prompting Henry Kissinger to say that America was not in the
take-off but was asked to be in crash landing. “If Pakistan was mercifully spared by the
biting sarcasm this time, it was partly because all that it asked was the proverbial fig leaf
to cover retreat from an impulsive adventure undertaken without forethought.”83
Kargil was a disaster for the relations and it reversed all the gains of several diplomatic
engagements during the 90s that culminated with visit of Indian prime minister on
February 20-21, 1999. It also damaged the Kashmir cause as international attention was
diverted from Indian repressions to infiltrations from Pakistan. For domestic politics of
Pakistan, the difference between civilian government and military resulted in army
takeover in October. After a bloodless coup, General Pervez Musharraf faced isolation
for packing home a democratic government and his role in the Kargil war. He spent more
than a year fighting on the domestic front to set a number of legal matters straight. There
was little movement on the external front, especially in the relations with India as the
Kargil episode hung large over the relations.
At the turn of the millennium, Pakistan was under dictatorship, isolated and at daggers
drawn with its most important neighbour. As far as resolution of Kashmir was concerned,
81
Sattar, Foreign Policy, 231-232.
82
Jaffrelot ed., Beaumont trans., History of Pakistan Origins, 129.
83
Sattar, Foreign Policy, 232.
50
there was no silver lining. Pakistan and India were miles away and the worst part was that
all peace overtures were frozen.
2.3- Post-Kargil Decade: 2000-2010
The first 10 years of the 21st century were full of action in Pakistan-India relations. The
decade generated a lot of hope for improvement in ties but every time the two sides
moved forward for resolution of issues, some unseen forces intervened to set them back
to square one. From Pakistan's perspective, the tug of war in ties coincided with the
media getting freer and proliferation of TV channels and newspapers. The decade started
with Agra Summit and ended with the two sides standing ripped apart by the bitterness
over the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 which killed at least 166 people. This period is
unique as for the first time the most concerted peace effort was launched, pursued for
over five years and then halted. The action-packed period is central to this thesis, which
explores role of media in relation to the two countries during these 10 years.
Some of the defining milestones of the period are:
1. Agra Summit: July 2001
2. Attack on Indian Parliament: December 2001
3. Military Standoff: 2002
4. Start of Composite Dialogue: January 2004
5. Mumbai Attacks: November 2008
These important events are key links in the chain of research on role of media in
Pakistan-India relations from 2000 to2010 but let us first traverse the brief history of
peace overtures and some successful stages in the relations.
2.4- Overview of Peace Efforts
The history of peace efforts between Pakistan and India is as old as their enmity. It shows
that both sides have shown tendency to sit together by their own efforts or third party
prodding to solve disputes through peaceful means.
51
The First War on Kashmir was followed by the agreement at the UN to resolve the matter
peacefully. The UN resolutions of 1948-49 provided detailed mechanism to settle the
issue. The first bilateral peace milestone was Nehru-Liaquat pact of 1950 which settles
the issue of religious minorities. In 1953, Prime Minister Mohammad Ali Bogra held
talks with Prime Minister Nehru on Kashmir. After a meeting in Delhi in August 1953,
the two sides agreed to solve it but the situation changed when India called off peace
efforts after Pakistan accepted military aid from the US. In 1958, Nehru and Prime
Minister Feroze Noon agreed to settle the eastern border of the two countries. In 1960,
the historic water accord called Indus Water Treaty was signed due to good offices of the
World Bank which settled the most important issue of sharing water between the two
countries, sparing the coming generations from tensions and possible armed conflicts
over water.
Encouraged by the success of this agreement on water, both countries made first
concerted bilateral effort to settle the Kashmir issue, when from December 1962 to May
1963, Foreign Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his counterpart Sawaran Singh held six
rounds of talks on Kashmir.84 In April 1965 the two armies briefly clashed in the Rann of
Kutch region but the matter was resolved through arbitration by a tribunal. Britain had
taken keen interest in the peaceful resolution of the problem and both sides also
cooperated. A few months later the Second War over Kashmir (in September 1965)
ended through the Tashkent Agreement in January 1966. This time USSR played the role
of a mediator. After the 1971 war, the Simla Agreement in July 1972 was a major success
to settle matters of war and peace through bilateral means.
In the 1980s, there were recurrent tensions - in 1984, due to Pakistani apprehensions that
India was planning attack at its nuclear site near Islamabad; in 1986-87, due to India's
massive exercise close to the Pakistan border; and in 1989-90, due to Kashmir uprising.
Chari, Cheema and Cohen in their book Four Crises and a Peace Process have said that
US intervened because Washington has an “abiding interest” in preventing conflicts
between Pakistan and India. “The United States was drawn in South Asia crisis because
of its anti-proliferation policies, but also because of its larger geostrategic interests in the
84
52
region.”85 Another major issue was the start of war on Siachen Glacier in 1984, which
remains unresolved despite several peace rounds. Though, Pakistan maintains that a draft
agreement was agreed in 1989 but India backed out. “Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and
Rajiv Gandhi approved the agreement at their meeting in Islamabad in July 1989, but it
had not been implemented.”86
Apart from the bilateral issues and peace efforts, an important decision was the
agreement to set up South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation in 1985 – a useful
regional arrangement to promote economic cooperation and provide key forum to discuss
contentious bilateral matters on the sidelines. “In 1985, India and Pakistan became
members of the new South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation, which seemed to
promise a better future for the whole region,”87
The two countries returned to intensive diplomacy in the 1990s due to disturbance in
Kashmir. Several meetings between the diplomats culminated into the February 1999
visit of Vajpayee to Lahore, and the two countries agreed to resolve all outstanding issues
through dialogue. The 1990s was also important as it unleashed several Track II
diplomacy initiatives like Neemrana process of 1991 which has endured till today. But all
hard work of the decade was washed away by the Kargil conflict in 1999, leaving the
nuclear armed neighbours to remain in conflict mode for many years that followed.
With this background on peace ties, the discussion has reached to the 2000-2010 phase,
which is topic of the research and is discussed in detail.
2.5- Agra Summit: July 15-16, 2001
Kargil dealt a severe blow to the mutual trust between Pakistan and India but it also
highlighted that the endless military adventures cannot be a substitute for peace and
development. “There is nothing new about that, for behind the story of conflict related
above we must examine a parallel history of dialogue between India and Pakistan.”88
85
Chari et al., Four Crises, 218.
86
87
88
53
After a temporary freeze of over a year since Kargil, both sides realized that time had
come to move forward. The beginning was made by India when Vajpayee wrote an
article on New Year Day 2001, emphasizing that India needed to address Kashmir issue.
“The prime minister of India had specially made a promising statement on January 1,
2001 [in his “Kashmir Musings”] when he said that he looked forward to meeting
between representatives of the two countries even at the highest level.”89
After expressing openly through media, the Indian leader took about four months to issue
invitation to President Musharraf to meet in Agra.90 The initiative materialized in July
when Musharraf went to India and the two leaders held formal talks on July 15-16.
According to former Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar, Agra meetings were basically one-
on-one with one note taker on each side.91
The negotiations went through many ups and downs. There was a lot of enthusiasm in
Pakistan as most of the media reports, especially TV coverage painted a rosy picture
about the positive outcome of talks. The optimism was mostly misplaced and the key
issue of Kashmir stalled the possible breakthrough. But progress was made and once the
two sides were poised to sign a joint declaration the Indian side refused to ink the
agreement at the last minutes.92
Analysts give different reasons for the failure of Agra Summit, including a breakfast
meeting of Musharraf with Indian media on July 16 where he effectively highlighted the
importance of settlement of Kashmir for normalization of ties. The unsigned draft
declaration says: “Progress towards settlement of Jammu and Kashmir issue would be
conductive towards normalization and will further the establishment of a cooperative
relationship in a mutually reinforcing manner”.93
Experts also believe that summit was hastily convened and proper homework was not
done to make it a success. “The Agra Summit was fiasco, largely because of inadequate
89
A. G. Noorani, “War Benefits Neither Sides,” Frontline, Vol 19, 1ssue 01, January 05-18, 2002,
http://www.flonnet.com/f11901/19010040.htm, accessed March 29, 2013, 3:30 pm
90
91
Noorani, War Benefits
92
Sattar, Foreign Policy, 236-238.
93
54
preparation (the talks did not even have a settled agenda) and the private skepticism of
key policymakers on both sides.”94
2.6- Attack on Indian Parliament: December 13, 2001
The attack on Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001 did to Agra Summit what Kargil
war had done to Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore. The attack was carried out at around
11:40am when Indian parliament was “in an uproar” due to a report about emergency
purchases during Kargil war.95 The terrorist attack was reportedly carried out by Lashkar-
e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad - the two Pakistani groups involved in fighting in
Kashmir, and it was termed as an assault on Indian democracy.
The five gunmen in military-style fatigues used fake stickers to enter through the security
check points before reaching the building. The attack led to a firefight with the security
guards which went on for some hours. The attackers failed to kill any politician or take
anyone hostage. Six security personnel, one civilian gardener and five attackers died in
the fight, which was shown live by local media.
There was incandescent fury in India after the attack and pressure mounted on the
government to respond in kind to the provocation. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
addressed the nation on television soon after the attack: “This was not just an attack on
the building, it was a warning to the entire nation,” he said. “We accept the challenge,”
reported the BBC.96 The attack was made hardly two months after a similar attack on
state parliament in Srinagar, Kashmir, in which 38 people were killed.
No group claimed responsibility of the December attack but the fingers were pointed at
Pakistan. India’s hardliner home minister L K Advani made a blistering speech in the
parliament the following day, accusing Lashkar and Jaish for the attack. He said these
94
95
96
“Suicide attack on Indian parliament,”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/13/newsid_3695000/3695057.stm, accessed
March 30, 2013, 12:41 pm.
55
organisations and their “mentors” were trying to kill the entire political leadership of
India. He promised to “liquidate” the terrorists along with their sponsors.97
Initially, police arrested Abdul Rehman Geelani, an Arabic lecturer of Delhi University,
Muhammad Afzal Guru, his cousin Shaukat Guru and wife of Shaukat, Navjot Sandhu
alias Afsana. A year later in December 2002, an Indian court sentenced Afzal, Shaukat
and Geelani to death. But Geelani was acquitted in October 2003 and Shaukat’s sentence
was changed to 10-year imprisonment in August 2005.
The death sentence of Afzal was however, maintained. The sad saga closed when more
than 10 years after the attack, Muhammad Afzal Guru was hanged in Tihar Jail in Delhi
in February 2013. He was a former fruit seller and his death reverberated heavily in
native Kashmir. Though the attack was blamed on Pakistan, the people arrested and tried
were Indians or Kashmiris, belonging to what Pakistan writers call Indian Occupied
Kashmir or IoK.
India’s ruling right wing Bhartiya Janta Party was under pressure from radical Hindu
groups which wanted tough action to forestall any future attacks. The war hysteria took
hold of the popular imagination and after some initial delay and discussions, India
mobilized its military.
Pakistan also responded in kind. Thus, the attack brought Pakistan and India on the verge
of another war. It was once again averted as good sense prevailed in the end. The military
buildup crisis will be discussed in detail under the next heading.
2.7- Military Standoff: 2002
After the Kargil war the Indian policy-makers thought that a limited conventional war
within nuclear environment was possible. Defence Minister George Fernandes addressing
a seminar by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses in 2000 said that nuclear
weapons did not make war obsolete.98 The attack on parliament provided opportunity to
97
Peter Symond, “Attack on Indian parliament heightens danger of Indo-Pakistan war,”
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2001/12/ind-d20.html, accessed March 30, 2013, 1:32 pm.
98
Arpit Rajain, Nuclear Deterrence in South Asia: China, India and Pakistan, (New Delhi: SAGE
Publication Ltd, 2005), 369.
56
put the doctrine of limited warfare under nuclear regime into practice. According to
Zulfiqar Khan, the Indian leadership like old Soviet Union developed “a dangerous
misperception regarding winning a nuclear war against Pakistan, especially during the
military standoff of 2001-2002.”99
The military standoff started soon after the parliament attack when “Operation Parakram
(valour) was launched on December 18, 2001.100 Nearly one million troops were moved
by the two nations in the largest military buildup after the Second World War. Passions
ran high. From Indian side the decision to mobilize forces was unanimous, according to
national security advisor Brajesh Mishra. “There was a unanimous decision to let
Pakistan know this kind of thing would not be tolerated. A unanimous decision to
mobilize. A unanimous decision to cross the Line of Control and the border.”101
Mishra said in an interview in 2006 that India postponed action after Musharraf in his
January 12 speech criticised terrorism in the name of Kashmir. Mishra also said that they
were on the verge of launching war. “Whether surgical strikes or this or that - it would
have been a part of the campaign.... it would have been all out war.”102
Jaswant Singh, India's external affairs minister that time rejected the idea that war was
imminent. “I know there wasn’t even a risk of a full-fledged war or crossing the boundary
or the Line of Control.”103
It is difficult to judge due to contradictory statements by Indian leaders about the threat of
war. What is clear is that neither Pakistan was ready for a war nor the international
community led by the US could afford a crisis soon after the launch of war in
Afghanistan.
Musharraf being a military leader who had usurped power was still looking for local and
international legitimacy. From a military perspective, his security forces were involved in
99
Zulfiqar Khan, India-Pakistan Nuclear Rivalry: Perceptions, Misperceptions, and Mutual Deterrence,"
(Islamabad:Asia Printers, 2005), 80.
100
101
Alex Stolar, “To the Brink: Indian Decision-Making and the 2001-2002 Standoff,”
http://www.stimson.org/spotlight/to-the-brink-indian-decision-making-and-the-2001-2002-
standoff/,accessed April 2, 2012. 4:05 pm.
102
Ibid.
103
Ibid.
57
the war on terror and already the troops were deployed on the volatile north-western
border. In case of actual war, he would have been forced to redeploy the soldiers from
western to eastern border to face India. The international community could not allow this
to happen when they needed Pakistan’s full attention towards the Afghan border. The
world was also horrified at the possibility of nuclear attack. Tactically, India was slow to
mobilize and lost the advantage. By the time it was ready to strike, Pakistani troops were
ready to respond.
It is believed that the nuclear threat was the defining factor to stop the Indian side to cross
the border or carry out limited strikes. Pakistan had made clear that any hostile action by
India will be considered as war and Islamabad will respond with full force, which was a
veiled threat of nuclear war. Alastair Campbell in his diaries serialized in The Guardian
narrates his meeting with two senior Pakistani generals, during which he was asked to tell
India that Pakistan can strike its rival with nuclear weapons within eight seconds. “When
the time came to leave, the livelier of the two generals asked me to remind the Indians: ‘it
takes us eight seconds to get the missiles over’, then flashed a toothy grin.”104 The threat
worked and the idea of nuclear confrontation was taken seriously by the British
government and the Western world.
At the start of standoff, Musharraf made a speech on January 12 and promised to stop
cross border intrusions as India alleged that Pakistan-based militants were sneaking into
its part of Kashmir to commit acts of terror. He also banned a number of militants and
sectarian organisations.105 The speech had a calming impact. (Mishra also noted as
mentioned above that war was postponed after the speech).
Amid tension and diplomacy, the militants launched attack at an army camp in Kashmir
on May 14, in which at least 30 soldiers and civilians were killed. India blamed Pakistan
for it and the situation looked grim. There was intense exchange of fire on the LoC but
the fight was confined to Kashmir. America, already involved in peace diplomacy,
104
Nicholas Watt, “Pakistan boasted of nuclear strike in India within eight seconds,”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/15/pakistan-boasted-nuclear-sstrike-pakistan, accessed April 2,
2013, 5:25pm.
105
Pervez Musharraf Address on Pakistan Television, January 12, 2001,
http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/document/papers/2002Jan12.htm, accessed May 25, 2015,
4.30pm.
58
realising that the situation might spiral out of control, sent Deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage to the region in May to persuade the two sides to pull back troops. The
visit worked and things began to improve. The de-escalation started a month later after
June and by the end of October 2002, the situation to a greater extent turned normal.
The cost for the 10-month confrontation was huge for India as it lost nearly 2000 soldiers
as compared to Pakistan’s less than three dozen deaths. “The number of army personnel
killed or wounded in Jammu and Kashmir and the western sector during the mobilization,
Operation Parakram, from December 19, 2001 to October 16, 2002, was 1,874,” said
Defence Minister George Fernandes.106 Pakistan suffered around 34 deaths and 10
injured. The buildup cost India nearly 4-billion dollars as compared to Pakistan’s 1.4
billion dollars.107
India’s adventure didn’t produce required results as it failed to carry out strikes or force
Pakistan to stop helping Kashmiris. It only got a vague commitment from Musharraf that
infiltrations will be stopped.
2.8- Composite Dialogue: 2004-2008
The roots of the composite peace process can be traced back to May 1997 when Indian
Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif agreed on
the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in Maldives, to institute a structural dialogue
process.108 The core of the new process was that no preconditions will be demanded by
the two countries. Also, they agreed to accommodate each other’s key concerns: India
agreed to include Kashmir in the list of issues in return for Pakistan agreeing to talk on
terrorism. Initially, two rounds were held in October and November of 1998. Later,
Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee visited Lahore to boost it but these efforts collapsed due
to Kargil in1999. Another top level effort also failed when Agra Summit remained
unfruitful. The attack on Indian parliament and following military confrontations were
106
“India faced an embarrassing defeat during Indo-Pak standoff 2000-2001: The Times of India reveals,”
http;//www.induspress.com//p=786, accessed April 2, 2013, 6:55 pm.
107
Ibid.
108
Sajad Paddar, “The Composite Dialogue Process between India and Pakistan: Structure, Process and
Agency,” Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics, South Asia Institute, Department of
Political Science, Heidelberg University, Working Paper No 65, February 2012, 2.
59
disastrous for the previous peace efforts. But the military face-off had a number of
lessons for the two countries, as it was obvious that without solution of key problems,
they will be locked in mortal conflicts or cold war mode of confrontation.
Musharraf was keen to start positive rearrangements with India. At the height of tensions,
he extended a hand of friendship towards India when during the SAARC Summit in
Kathmandu in January 2002, he walked across the podium to shake hands with Indian
Prime Minister Vajpayee, but it was too early to start negotiations and it took more than a
year before the two sides could think of talks.
The new process of engagements started in 2003, through what India termed as “step by
step” process.109 The positive statements and backdoor efforts bore fruit in November
2003 when the two sides agreed on a ceasefire in Kashmir. With full diplomatic activities
and transport links already restored, the time had come for a more sustained peace effort.
With this, the composite dialogue process was launched in January 2004, when Vajpayee
visited Pakistan for the SAARC Summit. It was the first comprehensive effort to resolve
all problems through sustained and multi-layered talks. The main issues were divided into
eight baskets or groups and assigned to officials and experts to sort them out.
The eight groups include: 1-Peace and Security including CBMs; 2-Jammu and Kashmir;
3-Siachin; 4- Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; 5- Sir Creek; 6- Economic and
Commercial Cooperation; 7- Terrorism and Drug Trafficking; and 8-Promotion of
friendly exchanges.110
The first meeting between foreign secretaries of the two countries was held in New Delhi
in June 2004, followed by five rounds of talks on each of the eight baskets of contentious
issues. Each round was formally closed by the foreign ministers who also launched the
next cycle of negotiations. Progress was reported on all matters. The process generated a
lot of optimism: the dialogue was termed as irreversible and some of the disputes like
Siachen and Sir Creek were declared ripe for solution. The two sides had already agreed
for the sixth round and some of the meetings were also fixed when militants attacked
109
Paddar, The Composite Dialogue. 2.
110
Ibid.
60
Indian financial hub of Mumbai. India blamed Pakistan-based militants and suspended all
peace engagements.
The peace process had created hope but it was “brittle and ephemeral” and there were
concerns that a single act of terror may reverse the gains. 111 The Mumbai incident
confirmed the fears. The positive side of the five-year peace process was that the two
neighbours made the first determined effort to resolve issues. Its key achievement was a
number of CBMs (Confidence Building Measures) agreed in conventional and non-
conventional sectors which helped to improve the mutual trust.112
2.9- Mumbai Terror Attack: November 26, 2008
The Mumbai terror attack was launched on November 26, 2008 by a group of 10 gunmen
voyaging from Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi. “It is believed that the terrorists
commandeered a small fishing vessel at sea and subsequently used a dinghy to come
ashore in the Cuffe Parade area, following which they took separate taxis to their
individual destinations.”113
They killed at least 166 people over three days in a string of assaults at luxury hotels, a
railway station, popular cafes and a Jewish center. One of the attackers, Ajmal Amir
Kasab, was captured alive whose whereabouts were traced to Pakistan. With Kasab in
custody, India for the first time had the strongest evidence that its neighbour was
involved in terrorist activities deep inside its territory. Kasab’s link was established with
Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, a Pakistani outfit active in Indian occupied Kashmir,
forcing Pakistan to arrest some other alleged operatives of the group, including the
suspected mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, from Azad Kashmir.
There was massive reaction in India and the relations deteriorated rapidly. The reaction
was partly due to arrest of Kasab as testimony of Pakistani involvement and partly due to
killing of around 26 foreign nationals including US citizens. On November 28, 2007, a
hoax call from India threatened Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari of war. Army was put
111
112
Paddar, The Composite Dialogue, 19.
113
Samarjit Ghosh, “Mumbai Terror Attacks: An Analysis, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies,”
http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR66-Samarjit-Final. Pdf, accessed April 15, 2013, 7:05 pm.
61
on high alert and warplanes with live weapons were scrambled over the skies of the
capital and garrison city of Rawalpindi, where army’s headquarters are located.
Pakistan condemned the attacks and offered help. Initially, media reported that the
government was thinking of sending the head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to India
but it did not materialize, apparently due to opposition from the military. Indian media
was more aggressive than the officials and from the outset blamed Pakistan. Delhi took
time to involve Islamabad, but once they had Kasab, the scenario changed. Pakistan was
put on the defensive as the international community rallied behind India in support of
demanding Pakistan to take decisive action against militants.
The immediate result of the incident was suspension of over five-year old composite
dialogue which had been termed as “irreversible”. Both countries had worked on the
peace process, hoping that at least some of the thorny issues might be settled. Mumbai
incident swept away the investment made to build mutual trust. For the next two years,
the two sides were once again locked in blame game and controversies as to who was
responsible for the attacks and to what degree, and how the perpetrators be punished.
The attack came just three days after President Asif Ali Zardari had said at a leadership
summit in India through satellite link that his country will not be the first to use nuclear
weapons against India.114 Zardari’s statement was not out of blue but part of the goodwill
generated by the peace process. The ambience of friendly ties evaporated at the first shot
by militants in Mumbai. Once on square one, fresh initiatives were made to re-engage.
Finally, the two sides agreed to resume talks when Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and
Yusuf Raza Gilani, met in April 2010 on the side-lines of the SAARC Summit in Bhutan.
The history of relations shows several ups and downs. The good part is the tendency to
return to the table after each setback. The chief hurdles are lack of institutional
mechanism to deal with problems and deep distrust towards each other.
114
Vinod Sharma and Zia Haq, “There is a bit of India in every Pakistani: Zardari,”
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Nwes-Feed/India/There-is-a-bit-of-India-in-every- Pakistan-
Zardari/Article 1-353488.aspx, accessed on April 15, 2013, 7:34 pm.
62
Chapter 3
Pakistan Media: An Evaluation

Pakistan enjoys a vibrant print and electronic media. There are dozens of newspapers and
TV channels. It was quite a task to pick and choose. As mentioned in the introduction,
two newspapers each have been used to gauge coverage around the five selected events.
Dawn is the main newspaper for all events but an additional newspaper has been used for
every period under coverage. The following table helps to understand the coverage
schedule.
Table 3.1: Coverage in Pakistani Newspapers
Sr Events First Second Coverage (15

No. Newspaper Newspaper days)
1 Agra Summit: 2001 Dawn The Nation July 8-22
2 Parliament Attack: 2001 Dawn The News Dec 6-20
3 Military Escalation Dawn The Frontier Jan 1-5
Standoff: Post
2002 Escalation Dawn Daily Times June 1-5
on Peak
De- Dawn Daily Times Oct 1-5
escalation
4 Composite Launch of Dawn The Nation Jan 3-7
Dialogue: Dialogue
2004-8 Mid-term Dawn The Frontier April 15-19
Review Post
Final Dawn Daily Times July 9-13
Review
5 Mumbai Attack: 2008 Dawn The News Nov 19- Dec
3
As far as electronic media is concerned, the original plan to scan two TV channels (Geo
and ARY) for 15-day on the pattern of the print media was dropped due to unavailability
of TV contents. It was decided in consultation with the supervisor to study the overall
impact of the electronic media on ties with India. For this, elite interviews were
conducted with three media professionals, including M. Ziauddin, Rahimullah Yusufzai
and Javed Siddiq. Interview with Ziauddin was conducted in Islamabad on July 24, 2014.
63
The telephonic interview with Rahimullah was done on Aug 5, 2014. Siddiq interview
was recorded on Aug 7, 2014. (The recorded copies are available with the researcher.)
In the following pages, the evaluation of Pakistan media coverage is given. First, the
detailed day-to-day coverage of the selected newspapers is presented. It is followed by
the interviews of the experts.
3.1- Print Media and Agra Summit
Dawn and The Nation have been used for Agra Summit coverage.
3.1.1- Dawn
The 15-day coverage in Dawn is presented.
July 8
The paper published 10 stories related to India.
Table 3.2: Dawn Coverage on July 8
Sr Dateline Byline Headline Source Slant Impact

No
1 Islamabad Staff Report
No solution expected OS C SN
at first meeting
2 Islamabad Staff Musharraf consults MS N SP
Reporter experts, ex-generals
3 Islamabad Syed Talat Talks success MS C N
Hussain Islamabad’s prime
concern
4 Islamabad APP No Indian proposal on OS C N
security talks yet
5 Srinagar Reuters 10 killed in Kashmir OS C EN
6 Islamabad Monitoring India terms invitation MS C N
Desk to APHC an irritant
7 Islamabad Staff Wali optimistic about OS P SP
Reporter talks
8 New Delhi NNI Advani suggests OS C N
confederation
9 New Delhi Monitoring Indian PM convenes MS N SP
Desk all-party moot
10 Islamabad Staff New Delhi assured of OS P SP
Reporter gas pipeline security
64
OS: Official Source

MS: Mixed Source
C: Conflict
P: Peace
N: Neutral
SP: Slightly Positive
P: Positive
SN: Slightly Negative
N: Negative
In the front page headline the paper reported that no solution of any major issue between
Pakistan and India was expected at the Agra Summit. It reported Musharraf met experts
to evolve a strategy for his India visit. Talat Hussain reported that Pakistan was insisting
over a meeting with the APHC leaders. APP quoted FO spokesman that no proposal
about security talks was received from India. Reuters reported that 10 militants were
killed by Indian forces in Kashmir. On its back page the paper reported that India
informed Pakistan that invitation to APHC for high tea at High Commission will vitiate
the atmosphere. It also reported that veteran politician Wali Khan expressed optimism
about the outcome of talks between Pakistan and India. NNI reported that L.K. Advani
said he was optimistic that South Asian countries will form a confederation including
Pakistan and India. The monitoring desk of the paper said that Indian PM had convened a
meeting of all parties to consult for talks with Pakistan. On a different note, Petroleum
Minister Usman Aminuddin told media that Pakistan was ready to provide security for
IPI gas pipeline.
65
July 9
There were eight stories linked to India-Pakistan relations.

No
1 New Delhi Reuters/AFP
Talks with India on AS P P
security tomorrow
2 Islamabad Syed Talat Kashmir will get AS C N
Hussain disputed status, hopes
CE
3 New Delhi AFP Delhi may relax visa MS P P
rules
4 New Delhi Monitoring Islamabad, New MS N SP
Desk Delhi experts meet
today
5 Srinagar Monitoring Pakistan woman MS N EP
Desk freed, faces another
ordeal
6 New Delhi NNI Tight Security for MS N SP
Musharraf
7 Srinagar AFP Hizb calls for steps to OS P SP
bring peace
8 Dubai Our Corresp. Summit not to OS C N
provide relief to
Kashmiris
AS: Anonymous Source
In the front page headline the paper carried a report by Reuters and AFP that India
DGMO Lt. Gen. G.S. Sihota was likely to visit Pakistan. Talat Hussain reported that
Musharraf will discuss Kashmir during his visit. AFP reported that India may relax visa
rules for Pakistanis ahead of the summit. On its back page the paper said that experts
from the two countries were to meet in New Delhi under the auspices of Indian Council
of Social Sciences Research to discuss peace. There was moving story of a Pakistani
woman from Kashmir who crossed inadvertently to Indian Kashmir in 1994 and was
imprisoned. When she was freed in 2001, Pakistan rangers refused to let her back due to
lack of papers. She was reportedly raped in India and gave birth to a child and faced
bleak future on both sides of the border. NNI reported that elaborate security measures
66
were being taken by India for safety of Musharraf. Hizbul Mujahidin was reported by
AFP as saying that both countries should work for peace in Kashmir. The paper also
reported former premier Benazir Bhutto saying that Agra Summit will not bring peace.
July 10
The coverage was down as compared to the previous days.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Offer to reopen OS P EP
Rajasthan route
2 New Delhi M. Ziauddin No meeting, no OS N SP
regret, says Bhat
3 New Delhi AFP Summit not to focus OS C N
on Kashmir
4 New Delhi Reuters Pakistan, India traders MS P P
optimistic
5 New Delhi AFP Delhi seeks dialogue OS P SP
on nuclear issue
6 Islamabad Reuters Islamabad rejects OS C N
border talks proposal
Jawed Naqvi reported from India that Vajpayee was ready to give major push to peace
talks by offering an old route from Rajasthan to Sindh, revive roads links between
Kashmir and relax visas for Pakistanis. Ziauddin wrote from New Delhi that APHC
leader Abdul Ghani Bhat said he will not be disappointed if not allowed by India to meet
Musharraf but said that both countries would have to let people from Kashmir to become
part of the talks. The paper had a lead in the pack page that Vajpayee told all parties
conference that Kashmir will not be focus of talks with Pakistan. Reuters reported that
traders from both countries wanted trade facilitation agreements. AFP reported India also
wanted talks on the nuclear issues. Indian MPs including deputy chairperson of Rajya
Sabah Najma Heptullah said that it was easier to be friends than enemies and urged talks
to end problems. Reuters said that Pakistan rejected Indian offer for meeting of military
officials by saying that it was only possible after the Agra Summit.
67
July 11
The paper published 10 stories.

No
1 Islamabad Ihtasham ul Summit to focus on OS C N
Haq Kashmir dispute
2 New Delhi Monitoring APHC leaders to MS C N
Desk meet Musharraf
3 Islamabad Faraz Peace depends on OS N SP
Hashmi talks success: CE
4 Srinagar AFP BSF claims AS C N
thwarting bomb plot
5 Muzaffarabad Tariq Naqash Lashkar terms peace OS C N
process a conspiracy
6 New York Masood No Indian POWs in OS C N
Haidar jails: Moin
7 New Delhi Monitoring Delhi rally seeks MS C N
Desk release of prisoners
8 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Indi mum on divided MS C N
Kashmiris’
citizenship
9 Srinagar Reuters APHC call for strike OS C N
on 13th
10 Srinagar Reuters Five troops among MS C EN
26 killed in valley
The paper in its lead said that the summit with India will focus on Kashmir. “A number
of issues will would come up for discussion but Kashmir will be the focus of two-day
discussion,” Musharraf’s press secretary Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi said.115 In the second
major front page news it was reported that APHC leaders will meet Musharraf. Faraz
Hashmi reported Musharraf saying that peace in the region was linked with the talks
between Pakistan and India. AFP reported that BSF had claimed thwarting a bombing
attempt to coincide with the summit. On its back page the paper carried the lead on a
statement by LeT chief Hafiz Saeed who termed the peace efforts with India as a
conspiracy against the people of Kashmir. Interior minister Moinuddin Haider, who was
115
Ihtasham ul Haq, “Summit to focus on Kashmir Dispute,” Dawn, July 11, 2001.
68
in US, said that there were no Indian POWs in Pakistan. The paper also reported a protest
by relatives of 54 missing Indian soldiers who alleged that they were taken as PoWs in
1971 war. Jawed Naqvi reported that India was not sure how to treat people of Azad
Kashmir, as India citizen or Pakistanis for their travels. Reuters reported that APHC had
called for strike on July 13 to remember the martyrs of Kashmir. The same news agency
also reported that 26 people including five soldiers were killed in the “held Kashmir”
violence.
July 12
Nine stories were published on the day.

No
1 Islamabad Faraz Musharraf says no OS C N
Hashmi bargain on Kashmir
2 New Delhi Reuters Vajpayee seeks OS N SP
parties’ support
3 New Delhi AFP Coalition partners to OS C N
boycott high tea
4 New Delhi Jawed India regrets OS C N
Naqvi Pakistan’s invitation
to APHC
5 Washington Tahir Mirza Summit vital to US, OS N P
says official
6 New Delhi APP Experts agree on MS N SP
points to improve
security
7 Agra AFP VHP holds OS C N
demonstration
8 Srinagar AFP 16 killed in valley MS C N
9 Washington APP Pakistan, India closer MS N SP
than ever to Kashmir
solution
Faraz Hashmi in the main lead reported that Musharraf has made it clear that there will be
no bargain on Kashmir. In the second major front page story, Vajpayee was reported as
seeking support of parties for the summit. Indian coalition partners had decided to skip
69
the high tea by Pakistan’s High Commissioner where APHC leaders were also invited.
Jawed Naqvi reported that India formally regretted the invitation given to the APHC.
Tahir Mirza reported that a US official had termed the meeting between Pakistan and
India as important. Separately, private experts from the two countries agreed on a 10-
point agenda at a conference in India to improve security environment. There was a news
item on the back page that VHP had protested at the venue of the summit, demanding
apology from Musharraf for Kargil. AFP reported that 16 people were killed in clashes in
held Kashmir. APP quoted an interview of Kashmir leader Abdul Ghani Lone that the
Agra Summit had brought Pakistan and India closer to a solution of Kashmir.
July 13
There were nine stories about Pak-India relations.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi UN resolutions not OS C N
enforceable
2 New Delhi M. Ziauddin Vajpayee wants talks OS N SP
to continue
3 Srinagar AFP 21 die in Kashmir MS C N
struggle
4 New York Masood Kashmiri leader seeks OS P P
Haider negotiated settlement
5 New Delhi Special Easy visa procedure OS N SP
Corresp. for media people
demanded
6 New Delhi Special Congress hopes for OS P P
Corresp. summit success
7 Islamabad Staff Commanders back OS P SP
Reporter CE’s peace efforts
8 Dubai Reuters Permanent LoC can’t MS C N
be accepted:
Musharraf
9 New Delhi AFP Indian police warning AS C N
70
Indian External Affair Minister Jaswant Singh told media that UN resolutions were not
enforceable as Kashmir was not the core issue but core of Indian nationalism.116 Ziauddin
held exclusive interview with Vajpayee who wanted the talks to continue. AFP reported
that 21 people had died in Kashmir due to violence. On the back page lead, the paper
reported from New York where APHC leader Maulvi Omar Farooq said that they wanted
Kashmir issue should be solved through talks. Separately, the security experts at the end
of two day conference in New Delhi urged for easy visa regime for media persons.
Opposition Congress party said it wants solution of problems with Pakistan and success
for the summit. Musharraf chaired a crucial meeting of Corps Commanders who
supported his peace initiative. Separately, the Gulf News quoted Musharraf saying that
the LoC cannot be accepted as permanent border. AFP reported that Indian police feared
a suicide attack on Musharraf by Kashmiri fighters.
July 14
Nine seemed the magic number, as once again the paper published nine stories.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Shadow of hardliners MS C SN
hangs over summit
2 New Delhi AFP Hurriyat chief OS N SP
expects role at a later
stage
3 Islamabad Syed Talat Composition of team MS C N
Hussain sums up Pakistan’s
position
4 New Delhi AFP Kargil must not OS P SP
affect talks, says
Vajpayee
5 Karachi Monitoring Itinerary of MS N SP
Desk Musharraf’s stay in
India
6 Srinagar AFP Strike paralyzes MS C N
valley
7 Muzaffarabad Tariq Naqash Mid-term travel offer MS C N
116
Jawed Naqvi, “UN resolution not enforceable,” Dawn, July 13, 2001.
71
as a ploy
8 New Delhi Reuters Summit: security AS C N
agencies put on alert
9 New Delhi Reuters/AFP Pakistan to propose MS N SP
Mandela for Kashmir
mediation
In the front page lead the paper said that as Musharraf prepared to fly to India on July 14,
both sides were under pressure from the extremists and hawks who wanted to continue
the fiery rhetoric. APHC chief Ghani Bhat was reported as saying that it was better to
include representatives from Kashmir in talks but he would be happy if it is also done at a
later stage. Talat Hussain analyzed the composition of Pakistan delegation and concluded
that Musharraf will only focus on Kashmir. AFP reported Vajpayee that Kargil should be
left behind and it should not affect the summit. There was another story by AFP about a
strike in “held Kashmir”. The paper had a story on the back page about Kashmir, terming
the offer by India to relax travel as a ploy to weaken the freedom struggle. Reuters
reported that Indian security agencies were on high alert ahead of Musharraf’s visit.
There was a story based on reports of AFP and Reuters that Pakistan was planning to
nominate Nelson Mandela for mediation on Kashmir.
July 15
The paper published 12 stories on the first day of the summit.

No
1 New Delhi M. Ziauddin Narayanan, OS P P
Musharraf promise
better ties
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Musharraf meets OS C EN
APHC leaders,
pledges support
3 New Delhi Corresp. President gets MS P P
warm welcome
4 Jammu AFP India begins partial AS P P
pullout
5 New Delhi AFP/dpa Neharwali Haveli MS N P
welcomes
72
Musharraf
6 New Delhi Monitoring Advani suggests AS C N
Desk extradition treaty
7 New Delhi Monitoring Sonia Gandhi AS P SP
Desk meets Musharraf
8 New Delhi Monitoring CE keen on OS N SP
Desk gurduwaras’
upkeep
9 New Delhi Reuters India seeks OS C N
Ibrahim’s
extradition
10 Srinagar AFP Troops trade fire AS C EN
under LoC
11 New York Masood HR Watch urges OS N SP
Haider civil liberties in
Valley
12 New Delhi APP Substantive talks OS P SP
expected at Agra:
foreign secretary
Ziauddin reported that Indian President K.R. Narayanan hosted banquet for visiting
Pakistani leader Musharraf. During the brief speeches at the banquet, both leaders
referred to the founding fathers who wanted their countries to live in peace. Jawed Naqvi
reported that Musharraf met the APHC leaders invited at the tea party by Pakistan High
Commission, and promised “continued moral and political support” to their struggle for
freedom.117 The paper also reported that warm welcome was accorded to Pakistan leader
by India. As Musharraf was having peace talks, AFP reported from Jammu that India
started withdrawing about 20,000 troops from Kashmir. Officials told the newswire that
10,000 troops will be withdrawn within a week and the remaining 10,000 over the next
month.
On the back page, the paper reported that Musharraf made nostalgic visit to the house
where his family lived before partition. Advani held 25-minute meeting with Musharraf
and suggested a treaty for the extradition of criminals. He also said peace cannot be held
hostage to a single point agenda. In a meeting with Congress top leader Sonia Gandhi
who told Musharraf that there should be flexibility on both sides. Tarlochan Singh, a
member of minority commission, met Musharraf and they discussed how to improve the
117
Jawed Naqvi, “Musharraf meets APHC leaders, pledges support,” Dawn, July 15, 2001.
73
upkeep of gurduwaras. India spokeswoman Nirupma Rao said that they asked Musharraf
to extradite Dawood Ibrahim who allegedly was living in Karachi and was needed for
role in bombings. Despite goodwill generated by Musharraf during his visit, the LoC was
tense and an Indian defense spokesman was quoted by AFP that the two sides traded fire.
Masood Haider reported from New York that Human Right Watch asked Pakistan and
India to restore and respect basic rights of people in Kashmir. The paper on its national
pages carried a report by APP which quoted Pakistan Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq that
they hoped for substantive talks at Agra between the two countries.
July 16
The key report was by AFP that Indian army spokesman denied reports about troops’
pullout from Kashmir.

No
1 Agra M. Ziauddin Differences force AS C SN
third round
2 Agra Jawed Naqvi Talks termed frank OS P P
and constructive
3 Islamabad dpa Pakistan denies OS C N
hosting Ibrahim
4 Srinagar Agencies 49 killed in Kashmir MS C EN
fighting
5 Agra Reuters/AFP Musharraf, Sehba OS N P
visit Taj Mahal
6 Fatehpur Monitoring Sehba visits tomb of MS N P
Sikri Desk Salim Chisti
7 Srinagar AFP India army denied OS C N
troops pullout
8 Agra Reuters Plows: protestors OS C N
arrested in Agra
9 Muzaffarabad APP Talks welcomed OS P SP
10 Muzaffarabad Tariq Naqash Kashmiris anxious MS P SP
for summit success
11 Agra Monitoring Sehba asks for MS N SP
Desk Indian food’s recipe
74
The headline on front page started with a teaser that joint declaration was delayed. The
paper said there were differences over the joint statement and the leaders will meet one-
on-one for 10 minutes the next day to sort out the differences.118 Jawed Naqvi reported
that the two sides termed the talks as constructive, as the two leaders made efforts to end
differences over Kashmir and other issues. German dpa reported that Pakistan interior
secretary rejected allegations that Dawood Ibrahim was hiding in the country. There was
a report by agencies that 38 Mujahedeen and 11 India soldiers were killed in occupied
Kashmir due to fighting.
The back page had a report about Musharraf’s visit to Taj Mahal with his wife Sheba who
also visited tomb of Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri. She reportedly prayed for success of
the summit. AFP reported that Indian military spokesman in Srinagar said that there was
no plan to pullout the troops. From Agra, there was a report that police arrested about a
dozen men for protesting in Agra over alleged POWs in Pakistan. APP reported that
Hizbul Mujahedeen chief Syed Salahuddin welcomed the peace talks. Tariq Naqash
reported from Azad Kashmir that people were anxious for the success of the summit. The
paper also reported that Sehba was so impressed with food at Amar villas hotel in Agra
that she sought recipes of Mulligatawny soup, Nalli Gosht and Murg ke Parchey.
July 17
The end of summit was hailed with 10 stories.

No
1 Agra Jawed Naqvi Summit fails, MS C EN
Musharraf back home
2 Agra Corresp. Kashmir central to OS C EN
Reporter amity with India:
President
3 Srinagar AFP Five soldiers among OS C EN
42 killed in Valley
4 Mumbai Monitoring Delhi seeks OS N SN
Desk assurances on gas
118
M. Ziauddin, “Differences force third round,” Dawn, July 16, 2001.
75
supply
5 Islamabad Reuters Mujahedeen vow to OS C EN
continue struggle
6 Islamabad Staff Search begins for AS C N
Reporter Indian POWs
7 Agra Dpa Dialogue lasted for MS N SP
eight hours
8 Agra Reuters Minister claims OS P SP
drown on Kashmir
omission
9 Ajmer AFP Musharraf cancels OS C SN
visit to shrine
10 New Delhi Monitoring NDA parties react OS P SP
Desk cautiously
The front page screaming headline noted that peace talk had failed and Musharraf flew
home empty handed. The paper had offered good short analysis that Indian were feed up
with Musharraf doing the loud talks through media against “deafening silence” by
Vajpayee. So they sent him off without granting a press conference or a joint declaration.
The paper also reported the breakfast meeting with the Indian editors where Musharraf’s
insistence on Kashmir angered India and contributed to the failure of the talks. AFP
reported that in the continued violence in held Kashmir, five soldiers and 42 people,
mostly militants, were killed. The paper reported from Mumbai that India sought security
on the Iran gas pipeline issue.
The paper on its back page had the lead based on an interview of Syed Salahauddin with
Reuters who said that the armed struggle will continue. Quoting officials, the paper said
that Pakistan was combing its jails to ascertain if any India POW was held as alleged by
relatives of soldiers missing since 1971 war. German dpa reported that peace dialogue in
Agra lasted for eight hours. Reuters reported that Indian Information Minister Sushma
Swaraj said that her failure to not mention Kashmir in the briefing was not intentional.
Pakistan was angered that she did not point out that Kashmir was discussed on the first
day of the summit. There was news that Musharraf called off his planned visit to Ajmer.
The paper also reported that coalition partners of ruling NDA were cautious to react to
the failure of the summit.
76
July 18
The coverage was going down as eight stories were published on the day.

No
1 Islamabad/ Hassan Pakistan, India pledge OS P P
New Delhi Akhatar & to continue talks
Jawed Naqvi
2 Washington Tahir Mirza US satisfied with OS N SP
Agra dialogue
3 Agra Corresp. Vajpayee to continue AS P P
talks with Musharraf
4 New Delhi Reuters BJP hopeful of new OS P P
peace move
5 New York Dpa Dialogue should OS N P
continue, says UN
chief
6 Srinagar AFP Mujahideen want role OS C N
in talks
7 Islamabad Staff Summit’s failure was MS C N
Reporter expected: politicians
8 Islamabad Syed Talat Indian media has MS N SP
Hussain mixed views about
Agra meeting
outcome
The talked had failed to produce any result but the two sides were not ready to blame
each other. Rather, Foreign Ministers Abdul Sattar and Jaswant Singh in separate press
conferences said that peace talks will continue.119 Tahir Mirza reported that the US was
satisfied with the Agra talks and happy that neither side termed it as a failure. The paper
on the back page lead quoted an Indian official saying that Prime Minister Vajpayee was
looking forward to continue talks with Pakistan. Reuters reported that ruling BJP said that
the two countries still could bridge the difference despite failure of the summit. The UN
chief was quoted as saying by dpa that talks should continue. AFP reported from Srinagar
that Kashmiri militants wanted a role in the talks. The paper quoted Pakistan politicians
saying that they expected the failure as it was not possible to solve Kashmir in one
119
Hasan Akhatar and Jawed Naqvi, “Pakistan, India pledge to continue talks,” Dawn, July 18, 2001.
77
sitting. Talat Hussain in a review of Indian media said that they did not broadly blame
Pakistan for the failure.
July 19
There was further dip in the coverage as only six stories appeared in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad Ihtashamul No deadlock in talks: OS P P
Haque & Musharraf
Faraz
Hashmi
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Vajpayee wins OS P P
support of Pakistan
visit
3 Islamabad Syed Talat Both leaders worked AS P EP
Hussain to save summit
4 Bombay AFP Thackeray opposes OS C N
Vajpayee’s visit
5 Jeddah Online Riyadh hails summit OS N SP
6 New York Corresp. Pakistan, India can MS P P
build on ‘faltering
start’: report
The headline was about Musharraf briefing the National Security Council and Cabinet
that there was no deadlock in talks and the two sides had agreed to continue the dialogue.
Jawed Naqvi reported that Vajpayee won support of cabinet to visit Pakistan despite
pressure from the hawks. Talat Hussain reported through sources that both Musharraf and
Vajpayee tried to save the summit and didn’t blame each other for the failure. On the
back page, AFP reported that hardline Shiv Sena leader in his party mouthpiece Saamna
opposed any plan by Vajpayee to visit Pakistan. The Online reported that Saudi Arabia
hailed the summit. On its national page, the paper quoted a report by New York Times
that the two sides can build on the Agra Summit to promote peace.
78
July 20
The honeymoon period was over and the blame-game started.

No
1 Islamabad Reuters/AFP India asked to fulfill OS C N
summit pledges
2 Brussels Corresp. EU wants dialogue to OS N SP
continue
3 Islamabad Monitoring Musharraf may remit MS P SP
Desk sentences of 25
Indians
4 Islamabad Staff No Indian POWs in OS C N
Reporter Pakistan, says govt
5 New Delhi AFP Jaswant Singh to visit OS P P
Pakistan
6 Washington Staff Corresp. Summit a cause for OS P P
optimism, says US
Dawn in a front page news blamed India for the failure to fulfill the promises at the Agra
Summit. The EU said it wanted the two sides to continue talks. The paper reported a
news by IANS that Musharraf was planning to remit sentences of 25 Indian prisoners
who have less than one year to serve in the jails. The paper also reported that Pakistan
had said that there was no Indian POW in its jails. AFP quoted India MEA spokesperson
that Foreign Minister Jaswant will visit Pakistan. The US assistant secretary of state
Christian Rocca said she considered the summit a success.
July 21
The paper published six stories.

No
1 Islamabad Ihtashamul People want peace, OS P P
Haque and hawks can be ignored
Faraz
Hashmi
79
2 New Delhi Monitoring Vajpayee for better OS P SP

Desk ties
3 New Delhi AFP New Delhi rejects OS C N
Islamabad’s stance
4 London Monitoring UK hopeful of talks OS P SP
Desk resumption
5 Srinagar Reuters Three Indian soldiers AS C EN
killed along LoC
6 Islamabad PPI Pakistan to protect OS P SP
gas pipeline
The headline was about Musharraf saying that hawks were everywhere but he appealed to
the moderates in Pakistan and India for peace talks. On the other side of the border,
Indian PM also expressed desire for better ties with Pakistan. PTI reported that Vajpayee
was talking to BJP leaders. The paper on the back page said that India rejected Pakistan
allegation that it had gone back on the promises as no agreement was reached at Agra.
UK said it was hopeful that the two sides may resume talks. Reuters said that three Indian
soldiers were killed on the LoC. PPI reported that Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad
Khan said Pakistan will provide security to the proposed IPI gas pipeline.
July 22
The coverage period ended with five stories in the newspaper.

No
1 New York Masood US offers to remove OS C SN
Haider differences
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Kashmiris’ will was MS C N
main condition
3 New Delhi Monitoring Indian govt to come MS C N
Desk under fire on summit
4 Srinagar AFP Fire exchanged along OS C N
LoC
5 Islamabad AFP LoC firing: Pakistan OS C EN
to retaliate, says
Qureshi
80
Masood Haider reported about US Secretary of State Colin Powell telling reporters that
his country was willing to help mitigate the differences between Pakistan and India.
Jawed Naqvi reported that an Indian editor had revealed the copy of joint declaration
agreed between Musharraf and Vajpayee. The draft put Kashmir at center and that it
should be solved according to wishes of people of Kashmir. The paper also reported that
Indian ruling party came under fire from Congress for alleged bungling at Agra. AFP had
two reports about firing on the LoC and Pakistan military spokesman said their troops
will respond to any provocation by India.
3.1.2- The Nation
The Nation is one of the mainstream papers. It is center-to-right paper and usually critical
of India. Its coverage helps to gauge the attitude of rightwing media towards India. The
coverage period is from July 8 to 22, 2001.
July 8
The paper published six stories on the first day of the coverage period.
Table 3.17: The Nation Coverage on July 8

No
1 Rawalpindi Monitoring Musharraf welcomes MS P SP
Desk Indian military talks
offer
2 Islamabad Rana Qaisar Intellectual extend MS P SP
support to President
3 Islamabad Staff No proposal received OS C SN
Reporter for DGMO visit: FO
4 London Brian Kashmir, Kuldip MS C SN
Cloughley Nayar and Jawaharlal
Nehru
5 New Delhi NNI Sonia opposes OS C N
Musharraf-APHC
meeting
6 Agra AFP HR group asks OS N SN
Pakistan to free
Indians
The Nation published a VoA story as lead on the front page that Musharraf told
journalists at his residence in Rawalpindi that he welcomed the Indian offer to hold
81
DGMOs meeting to stabilize the situation at the LoC. Rana Qaisar reported that
Musharraf’s told a group of writers that he would not compromise the traditional position
on Kashmir during talks. As Musharraf welcomed Indian military talks offer, FO said no
such proposal was received. Brian Cloughley wrote about an interview with the famous
Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar who said that Nehru had changed his mind about
plebiscite in Kashmir after Pakistan signed defence pacts with the US. On the back page,
the paper carried an NNI report that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had opposed any
meeting between Musharraf and APHC, while Pehchan human right group demanded
Pakistan to release all Indian prisoners and also asked Musharraf to apologize over Kargil
episode.
July 9
Ten stories were carried by the paper.

No
1 Islamabad Monitoring Indian DGMO due MS P P
Desk tomorrow
2 New Delhi AFP Indian likely to relax MS P P
visa for Pakistanis
3 Islamabad NNI Summit fate hinges OS C N
on Indian attitude
4 Karachi AFP Businessmen want OS P P
Pak-India trade
5 Lahore Nadeem Arab world support MS C SN
Syed vital
6 Srinagar AFP 14 killed in held MS C EN
Kashmir violence
7 Srinagar AFP Hizb urges India, OS P SP
Pakistan to fulfill
dream of peace
8 New Delhi APP Indo-Pak summit a OS P P
right step: Samajwadi
party
9 Islamabad Report FO briefs media men OS N SP
covering summit
10 Rawalpindi Abrar Saeed Progress in N-tech OS C N
forced India to talk
82
The headline was based on a report by Radio Tehran that Indian DGMO was coming to
Pakistan for a visit. AFP report was published as box item within the headline that India
may relax visas for Pakistan. Single column news was published parallel to the lead in
which Musharraf was quoted saying that success of the summit would depend on attitude
of India. There was a weird story that Arab world support was vital for the summit.
There were five news stories on the back page. At the lower half was an AFP story that
14 people, including nine Mujahideen, two soldiers and three civilians were killed in
Kashmir. The same newswire reported that Hizbul Mujahideen asked Pakistan and India
to deliver peace in Kashmir. APP reported the Smajwadhi Party in India welcomed the
summit while Pakistan FO briefed media about the summit. There was news about
nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan saying that India was forced to talk with Pakistan
due to progress in the nuclear technology.
July 10
The coverage was still in higher mode with eight stories.

No
1 New Delhi Iftikhar India to issue visas to OS P P
Gilani Pakistanis at border
2 Islamabad Rana Qaisar Islamabad declines OS C N
pre-summit mily talks
3 Islamabad NNI Third option not to be OS C N
discussed, says ISPR
4 New Delhi APP Busy schedule awaits MS N SP
Musharraf in India
5 New Delhi Corresp. Vajpayee gets MS P SP
opposition backing
6 Lahore Mubashir Vajpayee enjoys MS P SP
Hasan majority’s
overwhelming support
7 Srinagar AFP 14 killed in fresh held MS C EN
Kashmir clashes
8 New Delhi Iftikhar Indian DGMO rings AS P SP
Gilani Pakistan counterpart
83
A report by Iftikhar Gilani from India was the lead. It quoted MEA spokeswoman
Nirupma Rao that India was making travel easier for Pakistanis by opening of points at
the LoC and issuing visas at border. Rana Qaisar reported that Pakistan refused to hold
DGMO meeting, saying “India has been informed that discussion on military issues
related to the Line of Control (LoC) will flow from the forthcoming summit rather than
precede it,” said an ISPR statement.120 Separately, both presidential spokesman Rashid
Qureshi and secretary information Syed Anwar Mahmood said that talks will focus on
Kashmir which should be solved as per UN resolutions.
APP reported about the hectic schedule of Musharraf in India. The paper also carried a
report that Vajpayee had won crucial support of all opposition parties for the summit.
There was a report based on the interview of veteran peacenik Mubashir Hasan who said
the summit is different from 1999 meeting between Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif as
Vajpayee has full support of establishment and political parties. As violence continued in
Kashmir, AFP reported that 13 Kashmiris and one Indian soldier were killed in clashes.
Iftikhar Gilani reported that Indian DGMO Lt-Gen G.S. Sihota telephoned his
counterpart Maj-Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and requested for an early meeting.
July 11

No
1 Islamabad Rana Qaisar India must realize OS C N
need to solve Kashmir
2 Islamabad Zamir First Kashmir, then OS C N
Hiader trade, says Dawood
3 Islamabad Corresp Pakistan to discuss OS C N
CBMs after summit
4 Islamabad Staff DGMO meeting after OS C N
Reporter summit
5 Islamabad Staff India recognizes OS C N
120
Rana Qaisar, “Islamabad declines pre-summit mily talks,” The Nation, July 10, 2001.
84
Reporter Kashmir a dispute:

ISPR
6 Colombo AFP Mily ties with India OS N SN
not at Pakistan cost:
US
7 Islamabad Staff NSC discusses MS N SN
Reporter summit strategy today
8 Islamabad PPI Pak-India ties to grow OS N SP
in future, hopes
France
9 Srinagar AFP 18 Mujahideen among MS C EN
25 killed in Kashmir
10 Srinagar AFP JKLF to boycott OS C SN
Musharraf ‘tea party’
11 Srinagar AFP India claims summit- AS C N
eve bomb plot
thwarted
12 New Delhi NNI OIC promises funds OS C SN
for Kashmir
rehabilitation
13 New Delhi Iftikhar Musharraf to hold AS C N
Gilani ‘closed-door’ meeting
with Hurriyat
14 Lahore Corresp. Israr for Kashmir OS C N
solution according to
partition plan
15 Islamabad Online Imran not hopeful OS C N
about summit
Rana Qaisar reported Musharraf telling a group of religious minorities and students that
India should first resolve Kashmir as “an unresolved Kashmir issue remains a stumbling
block in the way of peace and prosperity of the South Asian region”. Pakistan Commerce
Minister said first Kashmir should be solved then trade will be normalized. The paper had
two reports about linking the CBMs and visit of DGMOs to the results of the summit.
ISPR spokesman was quoted as saying that India has understanding with Pakistan that
Kashmir was an issue. The Commander of US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Denis Blair, was
quoted as saying that US was deepening ties with India but it will not be done at cost of
Pakistan. The paper also reported about the meeting of NSC which it said was expected
to decide that Kashmir will be central and also decide how much flexibility Pakistan can
show on it.
85
On the back page, the paper reported ambassador of France in Pakistan, Yannick Gerrard,
saying that success of the summit will pave way for better ties between Pakistan and
India. The paper published three reports by AFP. First report said that 18 Mujahideen and
three soldiers were among 25 people killed in Kashmir while pro-independence JKLF
had refused to be part of tea party organized by Pakistan high commission. It also quoted
a BSF official saying that a high intensity bomb was deactivated in Srinagar. On the
national pages, the paper reported Iftikhar Gilani as stating that Musharraf will hold a
close-door meeting with APHC leaders. Separately, well known Islamic scholar Dr Israr
Ahmad said that Kashmir should be solved according to partition plan. In another news
item, Online reported that Imran Khan was not hopeful about success of the summit.
July 12
There were nine stories in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad Rana Qaisar Compromise on AS C EN
Kashmir ruled out
2 New Delhi M.A Niazi Killing two birds with MS C N
one stone
3 New Delhi AFP Delhi willing to OS P P
discuss all issues at
summit
4 New Delhi AFP India ruling coalition OS C N
to boycott tea party
5 Islamabad Sartaj Aziz Kashmir: a historical MS C N
perspective
6 Islamabad Staff President seeks Arab MS C SN
Reporter leaders support, sends
message to Rongji
7 Islamabad Waseem Govt’s preparation for OS C SN
Abbasi summit raising
concerns: Ahsan
8 Islamabad NNI Full cooperation to OS P SP
India on gas line: FO
9 Karachi AFP Fishermen pin hope MS N P
on summit
86
Rana Qaisar reported that NSC meeting ruled out any compromise on Kashmir. M.A.
Niazi in his report opined that the Indian decision to relax visas and opening up of the
LoC was an effort to dilute focus on Kashmir. AFP reported MEA spokeswoman
Nirupma Rao saying that India was ready to discuss all issues including Kashmir. It also
reported the ruling Indian NDA will boycott the tea party due to the invitation to APHC.
Sartaj Aziz wrote on the front page that Kashmir was historically a disputed region. The
main story in the back page was about FO assuring India of full security over the
proposed Iran gas pipeline. AFP wrote that fishermen caught in disputed waters were
hoping that success of the summit may end their ordeal. Opposition leader Ahsan Iqbal
said government may compromise the national interests in the talks.
July 13
Twelve stories were published about Pak-India ties.

No
1 Rawalpindi Online Pakistan, India now OS P P
closer to peace
2 Islamabad Rana Qaisar Commanders’ go- AS C SN
ahead to Musharraf
for Kashmir talks
3 New Delhi APP Vajpayee for seeking OS C SN
ways to address entire
relationships
4 New Delhi AFP Jaswant rules out OS C N
tripartite talks…
5 Islamabad Staff Jehadis to stand by AS C SN
Reporter ‘positive’
breakthrough
6 Srinagar AFP 25 killed in Kashmir AS C EN
ahead of summit
7 Lahore Humayun 2001: Taj Odyssey MS C N
Gauhar
8 Islamabad Waseem Kashmir Jehad must OS C N
Abbasi continue, says
Tressler
9 Islamabad AFP Most Pakistanis see OS C N
no benefit from
87
summit: Poll
10 Srinagar AFP Hurriyat bemused by MS C SN
storm over tea party
11 New Delhi M.A. Niazi Expecting any OS C SN
progress on Kashmir
simplistic: Gujral
12 Islamabad AFP Pakistan-India may MS N SP
discuss Siachen
Online reported that Musharraf in an interview with India Today said that it was historic
moment as the region was never so close to peace.121 Rana Qaisar said the Corps
Commanders met for five hours in the Rawalpindi Headquarters and finally gave powers
to Musharraf for “Kashmir talks”. APP held exclusive interview with Vajpayee who
promised to build peaceful ties. Jaswant Singh rejected tripartite talks including
Kashmiris and AFP reported killing of 25 people including two militants and two
soldiers. Humayun Gauhar wrote a highly negative article published on the front page.
He said the talks were a decoy to humiliate Musharraf for launching Kargil. There was
another story which said militants hoped that India will recognize Kashmir as core issue.
The paper on its back page reported that minister for culture and sports S.K. Tressler said
that jehad in Kashmir must continue. AFP reported a Gallup poll that majority 53 percent
respondents said that the summit will not bring peace while another 16 percent feared that
the situation will deteriorate after the summit. AFP said that APHC enjoyed the
controversy over the tea party. M.A. Niazi’s dispatch from India was published on the
national page. He interviewed former premier I.K. Gujral who said that he did not expect
a breakthrough on Kashmir. AFP reported that the two sides may discuss Siachen issue.
July 14
One day before the start of the summit, eight stories were carried by the paper.

No
1 New Delhi M.A. Niazi Musharraf embarks on MS N SP
historic summit today
2 Lahore Arif Nizami Core issue is sore MS C N
121
“Pakistan, India now closer to peace,” The Nation, July 13, 2001.
88
issue for Indian

3 Islamabad Absar Alam Pakistan, India look AS P P
set to ink ‘Agra
Agreement’
4 New Delhi AFP India urges Pakistan MS C SN
to bury the past
5 Dubai NNI Musharraf may extend AS P SP
stay in New Delhi
6 Srinagar Ghulam Complete strike in MS C N
Nabi Khayal IHK
7 New Delhi NNI Govt withdraws AS C N
APHC leaders
passport
8 Bombay AFP Thackeray warns PM OS C N
M.A. Niazi filed lead from India that Musharraf was launching a historic process. It was a
rare positive story by the paper. Arif Nizami wrote on the front page box item that India
already refused to discuss Kashmir as core issue which dims the possibility of success.
Absar Alam quoted officials that draft agreement was ready for signing and Musharraf
might extend the stay to help clinch a deal. There was also a report about complete strike
in Kashmir to observe martyr day. There was an NNI report that Indian government had
withdrawn passports of APHC leaders while AFP reported from Mumbai that Shiv Sena
leader Ball Thackeray warned Indian PM for holding the summit.
July 15
On the first day of the summit, the paper published 13 stories.

No
1 New Delhi Corresp. No military solution to OS P SP
Kashmir: Musharraf
2 New Delhi M.A. Niazi Psychological MS C SN
advantage ahead of
talks
3 Jammu AFP India begins troops AS P P
pullout from Kashmir
today
4 New Delhi Agencies CE warmly received at MS N SP
President House
89
5 Srinagar AFP Pak, India troops AS C EN

exchange fire along
LoC
6 New Delhi AFP Pakistan, India agree OS P P
to look forward
7 New Delhi M.A. Niazi Pak-India substantive MS N P
talks in Agra today
8 New Delhi Iftikhar Musharraf visits OS N P
Gilani childhood home
9 New Delhi AFP Live coverage of MS N SN
airport ceremony
blocked
10 New Delhi Correp. President meets MS C N
APHC leaders, assures
support
11 New Delhi AFP Musharraf pays OS P P
homage to Mahatma
Gandhi
12 Agra AFP Hindu burn Pakistani MS C N
flag at summit venue
13 New Delhi APP Sehba urges women OS N SP
role for regional peace
The front page was full of summit related news. The paper in the lead quoted Musharraf
that Kashmir cannot be solved through army. It also talked about Pakistan having some
edge over India ahead of talks as India failed to get any advantage in the pre-summit
period. AFP reported that India was pulling 20,000 troops from Kashmir, as the two sides
looked forward for positive engagements. Musharraf also visited his old family home
where he was born before partition. The substantive talks were planned in Agra where the
two leaders headed after ceremonial interactions in New Delhi on July 14 after Musharraf
reached. He also met Kashmiri leaders invited for the controversial tea party. On the back
page there were three stories. Musharraf visited memorial of Gandhi as symbolic gesture.
His wife visited India Habitat Center and talked about the role of women in regional
peace and development. Separately, the Hindu activists protested in Agra and burnt a
Pakistani flag.
90
July 16
Thirteen stories were published on the second day of the summit.

No
1 Agra Corresp. Summit talks MS P P
extended
2 Agra Corresp. Kashmir focus of talk OS C N
s
3 Agra AFP Vajpayee to visit AS P P
Pakistan
4 Agra M.A. Niazi Kashmir remains a MS C N
stumbling block
5 Agra AFP Musharraf tours OS N SP
monument to live
6 Srinagar AFP Indian army deny OS C N
pullout
7 Srinagar AFP Troops kill 38 in held MS C EN
Kashmir
8 Agra APP Protestors clash with MS C SN
police in Agra
9 New Delhi NNI Musharraf misses out MS N SN
the Gita
10 New Delhi AFP Hindu purify Gandhi MS C N
memorial
11 Fatehpur NNI Sehba Musharraf OS P SP
Sikri prays for summit
success
12 Agra PPI PM decision to visit OS P SP
Pak shows progress
13 New Delhi AFP Indian press sees new MS N SP
warmth
The front page lead was about extension of the summit. Pakistan Information Secretary
Anwar Mahmood told media that Kashmir was the focus of talks. A major success on the
first day of talks was that Vajpayee had agreed to visit Pakistan. M.A. Niazi wrote that
Kashmir was the main hurdle. After the heated parleys, Musharraf visited Taj Mahal with
his wife. AFP reported that Indian military had denied any plan to pullout of the valley,
while army also claimed that they had killed 38 militants in the held region. The paper
91
also carried an article of Benazir Bhutto on the front page in which she doubted about any
success of the talks.122
On the back page, there was an interesting report that Indian PM had planned to gift Urdu
version of Bhagwad Gita to Musharraf at the high tea but since Vajpayee missed it due to
APHC issue, the gift was undelivered. AFP reported that four Hindus were arrested as
they were trying to wash the Gandhi memorial after visit of Musharraf. Sehba visited
shrine of Saleem Chisti and prayed for success of the summit. President spokesman
Rashid Qureshi termed the decision of Vajpayee to visit Pakistan as a success of the
summit. AFP gave an overview of Indian press about the first day of the summit and said
that it had mixed views about the success, with hopes that tension will be reduced.
July 17
The end of summit was greeted with 14 stories about relations with India.

No
1 Agra M.A Niazi Summit breaks down MS C EN
2 Islamabad Corresp. President back home OS C N
3 Agra AFP Mush wake-up call to MS C N
India on Kashmir
4 Srinagar AFP 42 killed in Kashmir MS C EN
violence
5 Agra AFP Vajpayee insists on OS C N
cross border terrorism
6 Ajmer AFP Musharraf cancels OS C N
Ajmer visit
7 Islamabad PPI Kashmir was included OS C SN
in talks: Shushma
8 Islamabad Maqbool Mixed reaction to MS C N
Malik Agra talks breakdown
9 Washington Afzal Khan US exudes optimism OS P SP
from the Agra summit
10 Islamabad Ayesha Not even agreeing to MS C N
Haroon disagree
11 Agra AFP Agra hotel gets top OS N SP
122
Benazir Bhutto, “The Agra Summit,” The Nation, July 16, 2001.
92
marks from
Musharraf
12 Srinagar PPI 3,000 Kashmiris MS C EN
missing in custody in
11 yeas
13 Srinagar AFP India claims to have AS C N
foiled bomb attack
14 Lahore Latif Rana Vajpayee OS C N
stubbornness slated
The headline said that the summit had failed123 and Musharraf came back to Pakistan
even without visiting the Ajmer shrine. AFP said Vajpayee insisted on cross border
terrorism and Pakistan Information Secretary Anwar Mahmood told BBC that frequent
change of mind by the Indians forced the president to go back without any agreement.
Ayesha Haroon in an article said that failure to agree on a joint declaration was a major
disappointment. As the talks faltered, AFP reported that violence in Kashmir killed at
least 42 people. APP’s Afzal Khan reported from Washington that the US expressed
optimism over the talks despite failure to achieve any success. There was a report by AFP
on the back page that Musharraf lavished praise at the hotel where he stayed in Agra. PPI
reported that 3,000 Kashmiris went missing from police custody since 1990. The paper
also quoted Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad that the summit failed due to
stubbornness of Vajpayee.
July 18
The coverage was still high in terms of number as 11 news items were published.

No
1 Islamabad Correp. Talks inconclusive, OS P P
not a failure, says
Sattar
2 Agra Corresp. Talks a step towards OS P P
lasting peace: Jaswant
3 Rawalpindi Abrar Saeed Mujahideen vow to OS C N
continue jehad
123
“Summit breaks down,” The Nation, July 17, 2001.
93
4 Srinagar Ghulam Kashmiris scared, MS C N

Nabi Khayal disappointed
5 Srinagar AFP Mujahideen demand OS C N
to be part of future
talks
6 New Delhi AFP Congress criticizes OS C N
govt handling of
summit
7 Islamabad NNI Musharraf empty OS C N
handed return not
unexpected: PPP
8 Islamabad Staff Report President briefs on AS N SP
summit today
9 Islamabad APP CE given full protocol OS P SP
at Agra airport: FO
10 London PPI ‘Kashmir key issue MS C N
between Pak, India’
11 Agra NNI ‘Sushma created MS C N
tension, caused the
damage’
The euphoria had already ended and post-summit posturing started. The initial attitude of
the two sides was positive and their foreign ministers Abdul Sattar and Jaswant Singh
told media in their respective capitals that talks were not a failure. But militants in
Kashmir were getting restive and announced that fighting will continue, while 17 more
civilians were killed in Kashmir in clashes. As expected, opposition parties in both
countries criticised their leaders. Congress took the government to task for “mishandling”
the summit and PPP said Musharraf failed to convince India about centrality of Kashmir.
There were three summit related stories on the back page. FO rejected reports that
Musharraf was not given full protocol at Agra airport while NNI said that press
conference of Sushma Swaraj caused failure as she did not mention Kashmir while
briefing media. From London there was a report that British daily The Telegraph said
Kashmir was the main issue between Pakistan and India.
94
July 19
The coverage went down as the summit failed.

No
1 Islamabad Rana Qaisar Musharraf optimistic OS P P
about talks continuity
2 Srinagar Nabbi Hawks in India played AS C N
Khayal havoc
3 New Delhi Iftikhar India won’t pick OS C N
Gilani threads from Agra
4 New Delhi Corresp. Comprehensive MS P P
agreement soon: says
Vajpayee
5 Islamabad Absar Alam Indian blocked joint AS C N
statement
6 Srinagar AFP Center for memory of MS C N
disappeared
Kashmiris
7 Muzaffarabad NNI No cross-border OS C N
terror: Harkat chief
The lead was based on Musharraf’s meeting with NSC. He sought to avoid blaming India
and hoped that talks will continue.124 On the other side of the border, Vajpayee was also
positive and The Asian Age reported that he termed his meeting with Musharraf as
successful. Absar Alam quoted sources that India went back on its position and blocked
joint statement. India was showing teeth as there was a report that it will not start the next
round of talks. The paper also carried a report from Srinagar that Indian hawkish lobby
scuttled the talks. AFP reported that families of the missing persons in Kashmir had
decided to build a center in the memory of the people who disappeared. The chief of
Harkatul Mujahideen group said that there was no cross border terrorism in held
Kashmir.
124
Rana Qaisar, “Musharraf optimistic about talks’ continuity,” The Nation, July 19, 2001.
95
July 20
The paper published seven stories.

No
1 New Delhi AFP Jaswant wants to visit OS P P
Pakistan
2 Rome AFP G8, EU hope OS N SP
Pakistan, India to
continue talks
3 Islamabad Afzal Bajwa Kashmiris observe MS C N
‘accession to Pakistan
Day’
4 Srinagar AFP 13 more killed in IHK AS C EN
violence
5 Islamabad Staff Pakistan asks India to OS C SN
Reporter avoid mistrust
6 Islamabad Staff Japan hoped Agra OS N SP
Reporter summit to be basis of
future dialogue
7 New Delhi Iftikhar Some Indian ministers OS C N
Gilani accused of sabotaging
Agra summit
The number of stories was going down but there was a positive story as MEA
spokesperson said that Jaswant Singh had received invitation from Pakistani counterpart
for a visit. Pakistan urged India to avoid statements which create mistrust. Violence
continued in Kashmir as 13 more people were killed. AFP reported from Rome that the
foreign ministers of developed countries hoped that Pakistan and India will continue the
talks. Japan also hoped that the summit will result in more talks. Iftikhar Gilani reported
that the sacked chief of Indian Council for Social Science Research accused some Indian
ministers of deliberately destroying the summit.
96
July 21
The coverage went further down as there were only six stories.

No
1 Islamabad Rana Peace process cannot be OS P EP
Qaisar stopped, says Musharraf
2 Islamabad Absar Peace needs OS P P
Alam compromises:Musharraf
3 Islamabad M.A. Niazi Post-Agra cycle ends MS N SN
4 New Delhi AFP India rejects Pak claim OS C N
of stepping back…
5 Taxila Rana Peace not at cost of OS C SN
Qaisar country’s security
6 Islamabad PPI No Indian POW in OS C SN
Pakistani jails
In his first proper post-Agra media interaction, Musharraf said that he had returned empty
handed but was not disappointed. He also insisted that Kashmir was the central issue. He
conceded that there should be give and take to end conflicts.125 MEA rejected allegations
by Pakistan that India backtracked from a commitment to sign the joint declaration. M.A.
Niazi wrote that post-Agra cycle of formalities had ended. It was visible from
Musharraf’s address to a ceremony to include first batch of homemade Al-Khalid tanks
when he said that there will be no compromise on security. Pakistan said after searching
jails that there was no Indian POW in any of its prisons.
July 22
The coverage period ended with five stories.

No
1 Islamabad AFP Pakistan to retaliate OS C EN
any fire across LoC
2 Islamabad NNI Formal invitation to AS P P
125
Absar Alam, “Peace needs compromises, says Musharraf,” The Nation, July 21, 2001.
97
Vajpayee next week

3 Srinagar AFP 46 killed in IHK MS C EN
blasts, encounters
4 Washington Afzal Khan US offers help on OS C SN
Kashmir
5 New Delhi Iftikhar Indian opposition MS C SN
Gilani braces for showdown
on Agra talks
It seems that things were moving fast to pre-summit days, as in the main story military
spokesman Rashid Qureshi said Pakistan will respond to any provocation on the LoC.
There was a sobering news item on the front page that Pakistan will extend formal
invitation to Vajpayee for talks in Islamabad. AFP reported about mass violence in
Kashmir where bombings and clashes killed at least 46 people, including 18 Hindu
pilgrims. Afzal Khan reported that the US was ready to help in Kashmir talks. Iftikhar
Gilani reported that Indian government and opposition were preparing for a tough
parliament session which was to discuss the Agra Summit.
3.2- Electronic Media and Agra Summit
The electronic media coverage of the summit is based on the interviews with three senior
journalists and media experts.
Ziauddin remembered the goodwill in the Indian media about Pakistan during and before
the Agra Summit. He said the Indian media was generous to publish pro-Pakistan stories
and at one time it looked that the Indian government was trying to get across the Indian
viewers to explain about Pakistan position on the Indo-Pak talks, because throughout that
period no responsible Indian journalist or Indian politician ever came on TV and talked
against Pakistan. He said every channel gave proper time to the Pakistani journalists to
speak out their mind on the issues and it appeared that the Indian government was
consciously letting Pakistan journalists to reach the Indian people. He was appreciative of
the Indian media about the coverage and said the “coverage of the summit did not play a
role in the failure of the summit.”126
126
M. Ziauddin, Interview by Researcher, Islamabad, July 24, 2014.
98
Ziauddin held Musharraf responsible for the overall failure of the summit but said that his
breakfast meeting with media was not directly responsible for it, though it contributed to
the process as the tough stance taken by the general led to the failure. “I don’t think it
(breakfast meeting) has any direct role in the failure. The failure was due to Musharraf.
The briefing was a victory for Musharraf but after this Pakistan lost a sympathetic Indian
media.” Ziauddin was also generally happy about the role of Pakistan media during the
Agra Summit. “I would say that it (Pakistan media) was playing a responsible role” but
suggested that the stories filed from Agra and Delhi could be more positive and
favourable to the talks. He said the stories related to Musharraf’s remarks that he was
ready to go beyond the stated positions were not received well by Pakistani media.
He said Pakistan media played no role in the failure of the summit, as the major cause of
failure was Musharraf. He said the Indians wanted Musharraf to denounce militancy in
Kashmir which he refused to commit. “The Indians were on the back foot as they were
feeling the impact of jihad in Kashmir - Pakistani sponsored jihad in Kashmir - and the
Indians were tired of the bloodshed. They wanted some sort of lessening of tension and
lessening of bloodshed…That was the reason that Mr. Vajpayee had invited
Musharraf.”127
Ziauddin said Musharraf was invited despite doubts about him due to the Kargil war and
his role in sabotaging the Lahore visit because the Indian purpose was to decrease the
tension in Kashmir. But the 9/11 had not happened and the situation was still in favor of
Pakistan, prompting Musharraf to think that since India was on the back foot, it was time
to push it closer to the wall. “So Musharraf refused to renounce militancy and it was the
major cause of failure.”128
Rahimullah Yusufzai said that Musharraf’s media talk was not the prime reason for the
failure of the Agra Summit as Musharraf by nature was very outspoken and media often
accepted his aggressive posture, as “he was not a politician and had that forthright style.”
But it was possible that he would annoy the people. “It could be reason that due to
127
Ziauddin, interview.
128
99
Musharraf’s openness, some issues were created,” said Yusufzai talking about media
coverage of his breakfast meeting.129
He also said that the Agra Summit failed due to Indian reluctance to cooperate with
Musharraf. Indian government faced some internal issues related to the invitation
extended to Musharraf. The government was divided between the hawks and doves and
could not come up with a single-point agenda. He said it does not mean that Pakistan was
not responsible for the failure because there were problems on both sides. “A lot of
expectations from Agra didn’t work out because of these reasons…So, because of the
high expectations and whatever happened there (during the talks), actually led to the
failure of the summit and we cannot blame one side as it was responsibility of both
sides.”130 He said in case of India-Pakistan conflicts, expectation shouldn’t be kept too
high because of the difficult nature of relations.
Talking about the role of media during the summit, he said, “The basic problem is that in
the context of India-Pakistan relations, media is very partial. It also becomes very
patriotic, nationalistic and sometimes even jingoistic.” Pakistan media was trying to say
that Musharraf was right and it was carrying the statements issued by the officials. At the
same time, the Indian media was supporting the Indian government. “There was no
objectivity, I must say, on both sides and I cannot really expect objectivity by media in
both countries on India-Pakistan relations,” he said.
Another issue highlighted by Yusufzai was that the Pakistani media felt that it needed to
respond equally and aggressively to the Indian media. It was also true for the Indian
media, as both sides indulge in point scoring. When the Agra Summit was held,
electronic media in Pakistan was quite young and still in the learning stage. The Indian
media was older and more established due to democracy. “We were still learning but
what about the Indians; they should have been more objective,” said Yusufzai131
Javed Siddiq took a comprehensive view of the electronic media coverage of Musharraf’s
visit to Agra and said that being a high-profile engagement after Kargil incident of 1999,
129
Rahimullah Yusufzai, Interview by Researcher, Islamabad, August 5, 2014.
130
Yusufzai, interview.
131
100
Musharraf’s every move was watched on the television and analysed. When he decided to
talk to the Indian editors, it was known that it will be taken up by the electronic media
and shown to the people of India. He said before the media interaction by Musharraf, the
talks were progressing and the understanding was being promoted on both sides that
Musharraf and Vajpayee would reach on some kind of understanding to resolve the major
differences including Kashmir. But things changed after the breakfast meeting, as
Musharraf told the Indian media that Kashmir is the core issue between the two countries
and without it the other issues cannot be resolved, and the normal relations between the
two countries is not possible. “It was taken by the Indian hawks in the government and
the cabinet as inflexible position of the Pakistani government and the military…Indian
construed his remarks as it was the key thinking of Musharraf government with regard to
relations with India.”132
He said Musharraf’s remarks (during media interaction) played vital role in spoiling the
atmosphere and subsequently the Indian took a very strong position on Kashmir and other
issues. He also said that the damage done by Musharraf was further compounded by the
statement of Indian Information Minister Sushma Swaraj. “So I think that Musharraf’s
remarks with Indian media played a role in derailing the peace process.”133
Talking about the electronic media role in the failure of the summit, he said when
General Musharraf went to India, there were hopes and expectations in Pakistan that
things will move forward and Musharraf will be able to build an era of peace with India.
Pakistan media was looking at the Agra Summit as an important event that could lead to a
conducive atmosphere between India and Pakistan to address the key issues like Kashmir,
Siachen, Sir Creek and others. Hence, the media coverage in Pakistan was positive and (it
was same in India also), barring a few papers which always take a very harsh line on
relations between India and Pakistan, he said.
He said the rightwing press and particularly the Nawa-e-Waqt Group of newspapers and
couple of other papers were not very optimistic about the visit of Musharraf. “They also
132
Javed Siddiq, Interview by Researcher, Islamabad, August 7, 2014.
133
Siddiq, interview.
101
criticised this (Agra) meeting and they thought that it was futile to meet the Indian
leadership, as the meetings in the past were fruitless.”134
Siddiq said some other media outlets in Pakistan criticised the visit because they believed
that Musharraf was undertaking the trip due to pressure from the West and the
Americans. They thought that the visit will undermine Pakistan’s position on the core
issue of Kashmir. “But majority of media was in favour of the dialogue and it was
hopeful that something positive will come out of it.”135
3.3- Print Media and Parliament Attack
The attack on Indian parliament was a major incident in the period under study (2000 to
2010). Dawn and The News have been used to examine its coverage. First, coverage in
the Dawn is given.
3.3.1- Dawn
The coverage period is from December 6-20, 2001.
December 6
The paper published only one story, a dpa report that 10 people were killed in Indian
Kashmir.
Table 3.32: Dawn Coverage on December 6

No
1 Srinagar Dpa 10 killed in Kashmir AS C EN
December 7
There was only one report in the paper, based on an article by Pakistan High
Commissioner to India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi in which he urged Vajpayee to ignore the
hardliner elements and discuss the main issue of Kashmir.136
134
Siddiq, interview.
135
Siddiq, interview.
136
Jawed Naqvi, “Ignore hawks, Vajpayee told,” Dawn, December 7, 2001.
102

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Ignore hawks, MS P P
Vajpayee told
December 8
There was only one story by AFP on the back page that five people were killed in
Kashmir.

No
1 Srinagar AFP Five killed in Kashmir AS C EN
December 9
It was another routine day of just one story. AFP said that at least nine people were killed
in Kashmir.

No
1 Srinagar AFP ‘Random shots’ kill 9 AS C EN
Kashmiris
December 10
The low coverage continued. The paper reported quoting PTI that India set up a special
committee to talk with APHC leaders.

No
1 New Delhi AFP/Reuters India to talks to MS P SP
Kashmiris
103
December 11
After several days of one story per day, the paper did not publish any story about India.
December 12
FO spokesman Aziz Khan said Pakistan was ready for talks with India.

No
1 Islamabad Hasan Pakistan ready to hold OS P SP
Akhtar talks with India
December 13
The day of attack on parliament saw just one story about India. Reuters reported that
India had tested a long-range missile.

No
1 New Delhi Reuters India tests long-range OS C N
version of Prithvi
December 14
The coverage was still mute as only three relevant stories were published.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed 12 die as gunmen OS C EN
Naqvi storm Indian
parliament
2 Muzaffarabad Staff Report MJC denies OS C N
involvement
3 Islamabad Hasan Pakistan condemns OS P SP
Akhtar shootout
4 Srinagar AFP 61 blasts on LoC AS C N
104
There was the headline about attack on the Indian parliament and in the same headline a
small box item said that Kashmiri fighters were not involved. Hasan Akhtar reported that
Pakistan condemned the attack. AFP quoted the Indian army in Kashmir that there were
61 small blasts on the no man’s land on the LoC to disrupt the communication system.
December 15
The coverage picked up as there were four stories.

No
1 Islamabad Ihtashamul Pakistan forces put on AS C EN
Haque high alert
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Delhi blames Lashkar AS C EN
for attack
3 Srinagar AFP 3 Hizb men among 12 MS C EN
killed in Kashmir
4 Hong Kong PPI India out to damage MS C N
Islamabad’s interests
The lead was about Musharraf chairing a high level security meeting and a decision to
put the military on the high alert due to Indian threat following attack on its parliament.
Jawed Naqvi reported that India had blamed Pakistan based LeT for the attack. AFP
reported 12 deaths in Kashmir. PPI reported that Musharraf charged India for trying to
harm the interests of Pakistan in Afghanistan. He also denied involvement in cross border
militancy in Kashmir in an interview to the Far Eastern Economic Review.
December 16
The coverage was low and only three stories were published.

No
1 Islamabad Agencies Pakistan will reply OS C N
with force, says CE
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Saarc summit in MS C N
doubt as tempers rise
3 Srinagar AFP 18 killed in Kashmir AS C EN
105
The lead was based on a TV interview by Musharraf in which he threatened to respond

with force to any misadventure by India. Jawed Naqvi reported that the SAARC Summit
was in jeopardy due to Pak-India tension. AFP reported that 18 people, mostly civilians,
were killed in the latest round of violence in Kashmir.
December 17
The paper published five stories.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi New Delhi warns of MS C EN
‘hard-hitting response
2 Islamabad Faraz Pakistan dismisses OS C SN
Hashmi Indian allegations
3 New York Masood US stresses restraint OS N SP
Haider
4 New Delhi Dpa 10 killed in Kashmir AS C N
5 Srinagar APP Kashmir body sees OS C N
Indian agencies hand
in attack
The paper in the second lead on the front page carried a report by Jawed Naqvi that
Indian leaders led by hardliners were talking about a hard hitting response to the
parliament attack for which Pakistan-based groups were blamed. On the same page, Faraz
Hashmi reported quoting government spokesman Rashid Qureshi that Indian allegations
about involvement of Pakistan were baseless. US Secretary of State Colin Powell termed
the situation as tense and urged restraint. Separately, dpa reported that nine fighters were
buried alive in an avalanche while another was killed by Indian forces in Kashmir. APP
reported that a small organization of Kashmir said that the Indian agencies were involved
in the attack.
December 18
No paper was published due to Eidul Fitr.

106
December 19
No paper published due to Eidul Fitr.
December 20
The coverage period ended with six stories.

No
1 Islamabad Faraz Pakistan denies troop OS P SP
Hashmi build-up
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Vajpayee slams party OS P SP
hawks for war frenzy
3 Washington Tahir Mirza US opposes flare up OS N SP
in region
4 United Corresp. UN chief calls of OS P P
Nations talks
5 Brussels Reuters Low risk of war: US OS N SN
6 Bahawalpur Corresp. Jaish chief refutes OS C N
Indian allegations
In the lead was based on a statement by FO and interview of Foreign Minister Abdul
Sattar, the paper reported that Pakistan denied building up troops and also said that so far
India had not provided any proof about involvement of LeT or JeM in the attack. Jawed
Naqvi reported that Vajpayee had criticised party hawks for creating a war like
atmosphere.137 Tahir Mirza reported from the US that State Department spokesman
Richard Boucher said India should first investigate and then take steps to protect its
people from terrorism. He said Pakistan should take action against the extremists. Kofi
Anan called for peace talks as US general Richard Myers saw only slim chance of a war
between Pakistan and India. The JeM chief reportedly told an Eid congregation that none
of his activists or from LeT was involved in the attacks on the Indian parliament.
137
Jawed Naqvi, “Vajpayee slams party hawks for war frenzy,” Dawn, December 20, 2001.
107
3.3.2- The News
The News is a leading paper of the country, owned by the biggest Jang media group. The
total coverage period is 15 days, starting from December 6 and ending on December 20.
December 6
No story about Pak-India ties appeared in the paper on the day.
December 7
There were two stories related to Pakistan-India ties.
Table 3.44: The News Coverage on December 7

No
1 Ayodhya Report Opposition asks MS C N
Advani to resign over
Babri issue
2 Srinagar AFP Jaish calls for strike OS C N
against POTO today
There was a report form Ayodhya that opposition had called on Advani to resign for his
alleged role in the demolition of the historic Babri Mosque in 1992. AFP reported that
JeM called for strike in IOK to protest against Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance
(POTO).
December 8
The paper published two stories.

No
1 New Delhi Report Qanuni warns OS C N
Pakistan…
2 Srinagar AFP 2 Indian agents among AS C N
5 killed in Valley
108
There was a report from New Delhi that Afghan Interior Minister Yunus Qanuni told
media that Pakistan should not interfere in Afghanistan. AFP reported that two Indian
army intelligence officials were killed during protests against the controversial POTO
law.
December 9
There were three stories and all focused on the negative aspect of the ties.

No
1 Islamabad NNI Musharraf assures OS C SN
support to Kashmiris
2 Srinagar AP 9 killed, 33 injured in AS C N
valley ambush
3 New Delhi AFP Advani vows to push OS C N
on with POTO
Musharraf met AJK premier Sikandar Hayat Khan and assured him that Pakistan would
continue support for the just struggle of the Kashmiris. AP reported that nine people were
killed and another 33 injured in Kashmir. Advani said at a public gathering that
government will enact POTO despite opposition.
December 10
The paper published just one story by Reuters.

No
1 Srinagar Reuters India kills 10 fighters OS C N
in Valley
December 11
Two stories appeared on the back page of the paper.

No
1 Srinagar AFP APHC considers OS P P
109
India’s talks offer

2 Jammu AFP 5 fighters, BSF officer OS C N
killed in IOK
AFP from Srinagar reported that APHC was considering a talk offer by India and
separately the same newswire reported that clashes in Kashmir left five militants and an
Indian solider dead.
December 12
There was just one story about India, and it was just a day before the Indian parliament
was attacked.

No
1 Islamabad Nusrat India for high profile MS C N
Javeed presence in Kabul
Nusrat Javeed reported that India was trying for high profile presence in Kabul and was
rushing special envoy S.K. Lambah there on the day Karzai was expected in the Afghan
capital. His visit was part of efforts to build links in the post-Taliban Afghanistan.
December 13
On the deadly day of attack, there were three stories in the paper about India.

No
1 New Delhi AP India successfully fires OS C N
Prithvi missile
2 New Delhi AFP Afghan FM arrives in OS C N
India, reunited with
family
3 Jammu AP Two top Mujahideen OS C N
killed in Kashmir
110
AP reported that India test-fired Prithvi missile from some undisclosed location. AFP
reported from New Delhi that Afghan leader Abdullah Abdullah arrived in India where
he was received by the Indian officials. He was to meet Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh
and reunite with his wife and three children living in India. AP said two militants were
killed in gun battle in Doda district.
December 14
There were nine stories a day after the attack on the Indian parliament.

No
1 New Delhi Agencies 12 killed in attack on MS C N
Indian parliament
2 New Delhi Agencies Vajpayee vows do or OS C N
die battle
3 Islamabad APP Musharraf OS P P
sympathizes with
Vajpayee
4 Islamabad Mariana Pakistan strongly OS P P
Baabar condemns attack
5 Srinagar AFP APHC condemns OS P P
attack, demands probe
6 Islamabad Shakil Pak forces on high AS C N
Shaikh alert
7 Occupied AP 61 mines exploded AS C N
Jammu along India-Pakistan
border
8 New Delhi AFP Afghan FM designate OS C SN
meets Indian PM
9 Islamabad PPI Germany for averting OS N SP
Pak-India nuclear war
The lead was about the attack on the Indian parliament which killed 12. The identity of
gunmen was not known but Advani said there was evidence about conspiracy to
destabilize India.138 Vajpayee said the attack was not on the Indian parliament but on the
entire nation and promised “do or die” in the battle against terrorism. Musharraf said:
“My government strongly condemns the attack”. FO spokesman Aziz Khan also
138
“12 killed in attack on Indian parliament,” The News, December 14, 2001.
111
condemned it. AFP reported that pro-Pakistan APHC also condemned it and asked for
probe.
On a different note, the paper reported that the security forces of Pakistan were put on the
high alert after the attack. AP reported 61 explosions along border with India but no loss
was reported. Afghan new designate FM Abdullah Abdullah met the Indian Prime
Minister. The meeting was important in the context of future regional politics. Pakistan
news agency PPI reported that German Minister for Cooperation and Development, Mrs.
Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, said in Islamabad that India and Pakistan should resolve
differences to avoid a nuclear war.
December 15
There were ten stories. Most of them were anti-peace, which shows the tragedy of
relations between India and Pakistan.

No
1 Islamabad Shakil India to pay price for AS C EN
Shaikh any misadventure
2 Islamabad AFP India using Kabul OS C N
against Pak interests:
Musharraf
3 New Delhi Agencies New Delhi blames OS C EN
Lashkar for attack
4 New Delhi Agencies India needs time to OS C N
response to attack:
Vajpayee
5 Islamabad Mariana Pakistan rejects OS C N
Baabar Indian charge
6 Peshawar Rahimullah Why NA ministers MS N SP
Yusufzai visit India?
7 New Delhi AFP Parliament attack OS N SN
same as Sept 11
strikes: US envoy
8 New Delhi AP Attackers made OS N SN
mistakes: Delhi police
9 Islamabad APP India to get matching OS C EN
response
112
10 Islamabad Nusrat Vajpayee preserves MS N SP

Javeed his cool
The tone of coverage had become belligerent as the lead on the front page was an
anonymous story that “India would pay a heavy price for any misadventure, as Pakistan
Armed Forces are operationally ready to pay back the Indians in the same coin.” 139 AFP
reported that Musharraf accused India for using the new government in Kabul against the
interests of Pakistan. Adding to the tension, Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh said
having evidence that the attack was handiwork of a terrorist organization based in
Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Office rejected the charge. Vajpayee said that India needed
time to respond to the attack while Rahimullah Yusufzai reported that Northern Alliance
ministers were visiting India as they had their families there.
The US ambassador to India, Robert Blackwell, likened the attack on parliament with
9/11, a dangerous analogy for launching attacks on the country suspected of such attacks.
AP reported Indian police saying that the attackers made mistakes which reduced the
impact of the strike. APP reported military spokesman Rashid Qureshi saying that any
violation of Pakistan’s air space or territory will be responded to. Nusrat Javeed in an
analytical article concluded that Vajpayee was keeping cool and stonewalling the
hawkish din by rejecting immediate response to the attack on parliament.
December 16
There were four stories in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad Shakil India warned against OS C N
Shaikh hasty action
2 Calcutta Agencies India may cross LoC, OS C EN
says Vajpayee
3 Srinagar AFP 18 killed in fresh held MS C EN
Kashmir violence
4 Karachi AFP Govt tightens security OS C N
139
Shakil Shaikh, “India to pay price for any misadventure,” The News, December 15, 2001.
113
in Sindh
The paper quoted Musharraf as saying that India should avoid any hasty military action.
“I would like to warn against any precipitous action by Indian government against
Pakistan,” he said in a short televised interview.140 Vajpayee told a meeting of business
leaders that his country had come to a limit and cannot tolerate any more attacks.141
Violence broke out in occupied Kashmir where according to AFP 18 people, half of them
civilians, were killed. AFP quoted the Sindh police chief that security was tightened in
the province and its capital Karachi to check activities of Indian RAW agency which was
active in the area.
December 17
The paper published three stories about India.

No
1 New Delhi AP Indian probe blames OS C EN
Pakistan for attack
2 Islamabad Shakil Islamabad asks Delhi OS C N
Shaikh to accept joint inquiry
offer
3 Islamabad Report Islamabad to retaliate OS C N
if attacked: Qureshi
The police commissioner of New Delhi, Ajay Raj Sharma, blamed Pakistan for attack.
“The ISI connection is very clear,” he said.142 Pakistan in response rejected the charges
and asked India for a joint probe to determine the attackers, while military spokesman
Rashid Qureshi warned of retaliation in case of any attack by India.
December 18
The paper was not published due to Eidul Fitr holidays.
December 19
140
Shakil Shaikh, “India warned against hasty action,” The News, December, 16, 2001.
141
“India may cross LoC, says Vajpayee,” The News, December 16, 2001.
142
“India probe blames Pakistan for attack,” The News, December 17, 2001.
114
The paper was not published due to Eidul Fitr holidays.
December 20
There were six stories related to India and its ties with Pakistan.

No
1 Islamabad Mariana FO summons Indian OS C N
Baabar diplomat
2 New Delhi Report Vajpayee says war is OS C EN
one option
3 Islamabad Report Pakistan rejects OS C N
Indian charge as self-
serving
4 Islamabad AFP Pakistan was not OS P SP
massing troops at
border
5 Srinagar AFP 13 killed in held MS C N
Kashmir clashes
6 Tehran APP Iran offers mediation OS N SP
in Pak-India row
Foreign Office summoned political consular of Indian High Commissioner and informed
that Pakistan was ready for a joint probe if India shared all relevant evidence. Vajpayee
told parliament that war was still an option to deal with Pakistan for its alleged links with
the attack on parliament. FO issued a statement rejecting the Indian charges about
supporting militancy and attackers of the parliament. AFP quoted ISPR spokesman that
Pakistan was building up troops at the border. There was a report by AP that 13 people
were killed in held Kashmir and APP reported Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi
that his country was ready to play role in reducing the tension between Pakistan and
India.
3.4- Electronic Media and Parliament Attack
Ziauddin was very candid in responding to the coverage of attack on the Indian
parliament in the Pakistani media. He said media had no independent position in
115
coverage of relations with India. “See, anything concerning about India-Pakistan conflict,
Pakistan media will go with the officially certified truth. The officially certified truth is
by the GHQ and by the ISI, and Pakistani media without any question would use that.”143
He said the attack on the Indian parliament came at a crucial juncture when the
international attitude towards militancy had changed due to the 9/11 incident. As India
blamed Pakistan-based militant groups, the officials in Pakistan blamed the Indian
agencies for it. Ziauddin said that it was stated that India wanted to implicate or malign
Pakistan and it could be the handiwork of RAW, which staged it. “In Indian parliament
attack, we thought we had no hand in it. Media took this position that somebody within
India was behind it,” he said.
He also explained the reasons behind the myopic view of the Indian society and politics
in Pakistan and said it was due to lack of information which forces the media to rely on
the second hand sources. He said Indian newspaper The Hindu and its news agency PTI
always had correspondents in Pakistan, whereas from Pakistan, APP and Radio Pakistan
had two reporters in India. But Pakistani reporters were not from the private media and
did not enjoy the liberty to file stories which the Indian media could file from Pakistan.
He said the Pakistani media could not develop an independent opinion about India and
remained dependent on the government. That is why in case of any big incident, the local
media have to get information from the anonymous official sources which are most of the
time skewed.
While talking about the emergence of electronic media, he said the private channels like
Geo were launched during this time. “Most of time the electronic media was focused on
our position- that was our denial (of any role in parliament attack).” The electronic media
was also upholding the official position, he said. About the mobilization of troops, he
said that the media supported the official position that though India mobilized the troops,
it would have to withdraw soon, which eventually happened.
Rahimullah Yusufzai said the media in Pakistan took the official line that the attack on
the parliament was stage-managed. It also blindly followed the government’s stated
143
116
policy concerning Pak-India relations. No investigation was done (in Pakistan), he said. If
some people were aware that some Pakistani groups were involved, nobody was willing
to say that on camera or (on record) in print media. He said the Pakistan media feels that
it needed to portray the Pakistani official view point and not to challenge the country’s
position on security interest. “So when the Indians blamed Pakistan or Pakistani militants
group or state actors, there is a tendency to deny it, and to defend Pakistan’s position. It
was not surprising as it happens all the time.”144
He said later it became clear that some Pakistani groups were involved. But it did not
improve the coverage and later when things became clear, even then the media continued
to deny the facts. It is not just in Pakistan but it happens on both sides, according to
Rahimullah. He also said that the media coverage was not impartial after the parliament
attack.
Javed Siddiq said that Pakistani media was skeptical about the parliament attack because
soon after the attack, the blame was squarely placed on Pakistan government and its
agencies. The military was particularly blamed for this attack. He said the media in
Pakistan portrayed it as the expression of Indian traditional view point as it always held
that Pakistan military and establishment were playing militancy card in India by
infiltrating militants for carrying out attacks. “So the blame for the parliament attack was
placed on Pakistani government and Pakistani media was critical that why immediately
without any investigating and sufficient evidence, India was blaming Pakistan.”145
He also said Pakistan media was also not happy with India blaming military and its
controlled agencies for the attack. Pakistan media viewed the entire attack as “fabricated”
and an effort to “malign” Pakistan. The sense in Pakistan was that there was something
sinister behind it which would lead to the confrontation between the two countries.
3.5- Print Media and Military Standoff
The military confrontation of 2002 - Operation Parakram - resulted from the attack at the
Indian parliament on December 13, 2001. Its 15-day coverage has been divided into three
144
145
Siddiq, interview.
117
phases. First five days of January, June and October - termed as Escalation, Escalation on
Peak and De-escalation - have been selected to scan the media coverage.
1- Escalation: Jan 1-5

2- Escalation on Peak: June 1-5
3- De-escalation: Oct 1-5
Dawn has been chosen as the main newspaper while Daily Times and The Frontier Post
selected as the second newspapers.
3.5.1- Dawn
First, coverage by the Dawn is presented for escalation: Jan 1-5
January 1
The paper published 15 stories on the first day of the coverage period.
Table 3.56: Dawn Coverage on January 1

No
1 Hyderabad Staff Report PPP leader slams OS C N
Indian war hysteria
2 Swabi Paris Report War seems imminent, OS C N
says JI leader
3 Washington Reuters Thaw seen in frosty MS P SP
Pakistan, India ties
4 Kathmandu APP Islamabad will never OS P SP
initiate action: FM
5 London Agencies UK media attention MS N SP
shifted to South Asia
6 Muzaffarabad Report Boy injured in Indian OS C N
shelling
7 Lahore Amjad The train that MS N P
Mahmood connected divided
families
8 Lahore Report Health deptt MS C N
preparing for ‘war’
9 Rawalpindi Staff Report Tension on border OS C N
leads to suspension of
AMTs
10 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Crackdown signals MS P SP
easing of tension:
New Delhi gives list
118
of ‘terrorists’ to
Islamabad
11 Crawford Reuters Bush hails action OS N SP
(USA) against extremists
12 Rawalpindi Report Commanders review MS C N
border situation
13 Islamabad Report Pakistan welcomes OS P P
Indian message
14 Lahore Report Peace rally at Wagah MS N SN
baton-charged
15 Islamabad dpa Musharraf satisfied OS C N
with PAF readiness
As the war hysteria was slowly building up, PPP leader Qaim Ali Shah expressed
concerns over looming conflict and criticised India for whipping up the tensions. The
paper also reported that the provincial chief of right-wing Jamaat-i-Islami, Prof
Mohammad Ibrahim, told reporters that a war between Pakistan and India was imminent.
From Washington it was reported that US was hoping for a thaw after Pakistan detained
Hafiz Saeed of Lashkar-i-Taiba. Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said in Kathmandu, where
the SAARC Summit was to begin, that Pakistan will not start the war. The paper reported
from London that UK media was focusing on the stand-off more than the issue
Afghanistan and for the first time in three months the news headlines were not about
combating terrorism but about the threat of war in South Asia.
There was a report from Azad Kashmir that a boy was injured and several houses
damaged in shelling by Indian troops. Amjad Mahmood reported from Lahore that
Samjhota train service between Pakistan and India faced closure due to tension after
about 25 years of service since its start in July 1976. As war threat continued, the Punjab
Health Department started preparations according to the ‘war book’, the paper reported.
Spokesman of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Brig. Saulat Raza, told Dawn that
ATMs operation in border areas faced suspension because of tension. Jawed Naqvi
reported India welcomed Pakistan’s actions against the militant groups and also decided
to send a list of wanted terrorists to Pakistan.
President Bush said it was a good sign that Pakistan was cracking down on the militants.
The Corps Commanders met in Rawalpindi with Vice Chief of Army Staff, General
119
Muhammad Yusaf Khan, in the chair to review the security situation. FO welcomed a
reconciliatory message from New Delhi which spoke of exhausting diplomatic channels
for defusing the tension. The paper also reported that a peace rally of various human right
groups led by Asma Jehangir was baton-charged at Wagah check post by the Pakistan
Rangers. Musharraf said he had “complete confidence” in the war-preparedness of the air
force.
January 2
It was another day of high coverage, with 10 stories.

No
1 Lahore Shujaat Ali Conviction, OS N SN
Khan punishment of Indian
upheld
2 Lahore Report Ramay fears India OS C N
may occupy part of
AJK
3 Islamabad Report Islamabad, Delhi OS N SP
exchange lists on N-
facilities
4 Kathmandu Reuters India sees no peace AS C N
talks at Kathmandu
5 Srinagar Reuters 15 killed in Kashmir MS C EN
violence
6 Islamabad Report World leaders laud MS N SN
Pakistan stance
7 Lahore Report Two buses to bring MS N SN
stranded people
8 Islamabad AFP 100 LT, Jaish men MS C N
held
9 Kathmandu APP Efforts on to defuse OS C SN
tension: Sattar
10 Islamabad Report VCOAS visits LoC OS C N
Shujaat Ali Khan reported that a high court upheld conviction of Indian national Manjeet
Singh in a terrorism case. Ex-speaker Punjab Assembly, Hameef Ramay, said there was
no possibility of a war with India. Pakistan and India exchanged lists of nuclear
installations and facilities under a bilateral agreement. Reuters reported that a top-level
120
Indian official said that Vajpayee would not hold peace talks with Musharraf at the
regional SAARC Summit in Nepal. Reuters also reported from Srinagar that 15 people
were killed in the violence in held Kashmir. Dawn reported quoting an official that
Musharraf held telephonic conversation with the leaders of various countries, who
expressed their concern over the Indian military build-up.
India announced to run two buses to carry stranded Pakistanis to Wagah border.
Spokesmen of LeT and JeM told Dawn that Pakistan had arrested about 100 activists of
the two militant groups. Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar told PTV that Pakistan was
making all-out efforts to defuse the tension with India. “The President and the
Government of Pakistan are making their best efforts to de-escalate tension, preserve
peace and avert use of force,” Sattar said.146 The army said Vice Chief of Army Staff
General Yusuf Khan visited the LoC and the Corps Headquarters to review the defensive
and offensive plans.
January 3
Hyper coverage continued. The paper published 15 stories.

No
1 New Delhi Dawn/LAT- Nuclear list MS N SP
WP News exchange eases
Service tension
2 Kathmandu AFP ‘Curse of the MS N SN
summits’ haunts
SAARC heads
3 Sanghar Report Four RAW agents OS C N
arrested, says SSP
4 Sialkot Report Two landmines MS C N
defused: Indian
shelling damages 25
houses
5 Lahore Report ‘India can take legal MS C N
action’
6 Islamabad APP Pakistan for stable OS C N
ties with India:
146
“Efforts on to defuse tension: Sattar,” Dawn, January 2, 2002.
121
Musharraf
7 Muzaffarabad Report Legislators briefed MS C N
on situation along
LoC
8 Islamabad Report Islamabad hopes OS C N
peace moves will
prevail: Any
aggression to be
repelled
violence
10 New Delhi Report Deployment OS C N
completed, says
Delhi
11 Islamabad Reuters Pakistan, China to MS N SN
discuss stand-off:
Meeting before Saarc
moot today
12 Rawalpindi Report JCSC reviews OS C N
counter-strategy
13 London Reuters/dpa Blair offers OS N SP
mediation
14 New York New York Musharraf tells ISI to AS C SN
Times Report stop backing
militants: report
15 Kathmandu Jawed Naqvi No thaw at MS C N
Kathmandu pre-
summit meeting
The paper carried a news item which was published in The Washington Post that
exchange of the nuclear lists at the height of tension was a positive sign. An AFP feature
about the SAARC Summit termed it as a nightmare for the regional leaders. A senior
police officer told media that they have arrested four agents of Indian secret service RAW
in Sindh. In the conflict area of Sialkot, the paper reported that bomb disposal experts
defused two landmines. It reported that 114 cattle killed and 25 houses damaged in Indian
shelling. The paper also reported a meeting of the intellectuals and the writer in Lahore,
who called for a complete unity to meet the Indian challenge. APP reported that
Musharraf in an exclusive interview to Saudi Gazette and Okaz said Pakistan will
respond in case of the war imposed by India. There was a report about Azad Kashmir
122
Prime Minister Sikandar Hayat asking lawmakers to visit the border areas and “prepare
people to fight the possible aggression by India.”
The paper reported a press conference by Secretary Information Anwar Mahmood who
said Musharraf told National Security Council that Pakistan wanted peace with honor. He
refused to hand over any person to India but promised to take action if credible evidence
was provided. AFP reported that 18 people were killed in Kashmir violence. Indian
Defence Minister George Fernandes said India had completed their biggest-ever buildup
along the border.
Pakistan Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) met in Rawalpindi and took briefings
on the Indian threat. Reuters and German Press Agency dpa reported that British Prime
Minister Tony Blair said he wanted to mediate in the Kashmir dispute. The paper also
carried a report published in the New York Times that Musharraf asked ISI to stop
backing militants. Jawed Naqvi reported from Kathmandu that no thaw was expected in
Nepal during the SAARC Summit.
January 4
There were 10 news stories in the paper.

No
1 Karachi Report Pakistan-India war OS P SP
won’t benefit either
side: official
2 Beijing Reuters Beijing supports OS C SN
Islamabad moves for
peace talks
3 Islamabad APP Musharraf visits MS C N
forward positions
4 Lucknow AFP War not a necessity, OS P SP
says Indian premier
5 Islamabad Report Pakistan backs talks OS P SP
to resolve all issues
6 Kathmandu Jawed Saarc leaders meet in MS P SP
Naqvi hope of peace
7 Kathmandu Report Pakistan seeks MS C SN
123
disputes debated at
forum
8 Washington Report Summit may ease OS N SP
tension, hopes US
9 Dhaka Reuters Stand-off threatens OS N SP
world peace: Blair
10 Muzaffarabad Report Woman dies, four AS C N
hurt in Indian troops’
shelling
The paper reported that Director-General of Foreign Service Academy Mansoor Alam
said any war between Pakistan and India will damage both sides. Reuters reported that
Musharraf met Chinese premier Zhu Rongji in Beijing and told him that his country was
willing to ease the tension. APP reported that Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal
Mushhaf Ali Mir, visited PAF bases including the forward operating bases. AFP reported
that Vajpayee said war with Pakistan was not a “necessity” if diplomatic methods could
be applied to resolve the problems. The paper reported that FO expressed commitment to
resolve all outstanding disputes with India including the core issue of Kashmir through
peaceful means. Jawed Naqvi said from Kathmandu that the SAARC regional summit
will be held with hopes to find peace between Pakistan and India.
Dawn reported that SAARC must let member states discuss the contentious bilateral
issues. The US hoped that the summit will help ease tension. Reuters reported British
Prime Minister Tony Blair warned that the mounting tensions could boil over and create
“enormous problems” for the global stability. There was a story from Muzaffarabad that a
woman was killed when Indian troops shelled Kotli district.
January 5
The coverage period ended with 13 stories.

No
1 Hyderabad Report Sindh jawans leave OS C N
for LoC
2 Muzaffarabad AFP Kashmiri refugees MS N P
yearn to return home
124
3 Gilgit Report NALC members OS C N

briefed on Indian
designs
4 Kathmandu AFP Musharraf, Vajpayee AS P P
dine with Saarc
leaders
5 London APP Blair’s visit may OS N SP
defuse tension, hopes
envoy
6 Muzaffarbad AFP Indian army shells AS C N
AJK village
7 New Delhi AFP JKLF leader flays war OS N SP
euphoria
8 Lahore Report Democracy deterrent MS P SP
to war: Nawabzada
9 Kathmandu Jawed Musharraf says India OS C N
Naqvi has no interest in talks
10 New Delhi Report Pakistan’s position on OS N SP
Kashmir strong: Blair
11 Karachi APP Gen Aziz reviews PN MS C N
preparedness
12 Washington AFP Powell hails OS N SP
Musharraf’s move
against militants
13 Islamabad APP 55 embassy staffers MS C N
due from India today
A batch of around 200 newly trained army jawans of Sindh Regimental Centre (SRC),
Hyderabad, was sent to the LoC and the Sialkot sector. AFP feature about the sufferings
of Kashmir refugees in a camp in Pakistan was carried by the paper. A Pakistani military
official in a briefing in the Northern Areas (Gilgit-Baltistan) said that Pakistan took a
principled stand after the 9/11 which was unbearable to India and it blamed Pakistan for
the attack on its parliament.
AFP reported that Musharraf and Vajpayee dined together with five other South Asian
leaders at a banquet hosted by the king of Nepal. APP quoted Pakistan’s High
Commissioner to UK that visit of Tony Blair to South Asia may defuse the tension. AFP
reported heavy exchange of fire on the LoC and Indian shelling at villages in Azad
Kashmir. The AFP also reported from New Delhi that Jammu and Kashmir Liberation
125
Front (JKLF), Yasin Malik, called for “courage, vision and restraint” to avoid a war and
resolve the Kashmir issue.
The paper also reported a seminar where speakers including pro-democracy Nawabzada
Nasrullah Khan and pro-rights Asma Jehangir urged Pakistan military government to
start a democratic process in the country. Jawed Naqvi said the SAARC Summit was
delayed as Musharraf got late due to fog. Musharraf’s spokesman Maj-Gen Rashid
Qureshi told reporters that the situation on the border with India remained threatening.
Tony Blair, who arrived in India, said that Pakistan’s position on Kashmir was “strong”.
An APP report said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Muhammad
Aziz Khan, visited Pakistan Navy fleet units to review the operational preparedness. AFP
said Secretary of State Colin Powell praised Musharraf after Pakistani security forces
rounded up scores of Muslim activists accused of fomenting the tensions with India. APP
filed from India that 55 staff members of Pakistan High Commission will leave for
Islamabad due to the tension.
June 1
The paper published four stories.
Table 3.61: Dawn Coverage on June 1

No
1 Washington Agencies Foreigners urged to MS C N
leave India
2 Paris Agencies France pursues phone OS N SP
diplomacy
3 New Delhi Reuters Delhi to take up OS C N
‘incursion’ issue
4 Islamabad APP India advised to grab OS P SP
Almaty opportunity
The paper reported news agencies that different Western countries had asked for the
voluntary departure of non-essential diplomatic staffs and their dependents from India. It
also reported that France was trying to end the tension and Foreign Minister Dominique
de Villepin called his Indian and Pakistan counterparts. Reuters reported that Vajpayee
126
would raise the issue of cross border terrorism at a regional conference in Kazakhstan
where he and Musharraf were due with several world leaders. APP reported that
Information Minister Nisar Memon said India should grab opportunity to talk with
Pakistan on Kashmir in Almaty.
June 2
There were seven stories in the newspaper.

No
1 Islamabad Agencies UN orders evacuation MS C SN
from Pakistan, India
2 Washington Agencies Nuclear war OS P SP
unthinkable:
Musharraf
3 Moscow PPI Islamabad criticizes OS C SN
Moscow
4 Muzaffarabad Agencies 4 more die as India MS C EN
continues shelling
5 Singapore Reuters Fernandes rules out OS P EP
attack
6 Srinagar Reuters India will be OS C N
responsible for war,
says Ghani Bhat
7 Almaty Agencies Speculation rife MS P SP
about Pakistan, India
talks
The paper reported that the UN announced to evacuate dependents of its foreign staff in
Pakistan and India because of the fears of war. President Musharraf in an interview with
CNN said nuclear war with India was unthinkable. PPI reported that Pakistan criticised
Russia for giving uninterrupted defence supplies to India. The paper also had a story that
four people were killed in Kashmir due to the shelling by the Indian army. Indian
Defence Minister George Fernandes told reporters after talks with US Defence Secretary
Paul Wolfowitz on the eve of a regional summit in Singapore that there was no
127
immediate threat of war with Pakistan. The APHC chief Abdul Ghani Bhat said that India
would be responsible in case of war. The paper reported about speculations regarding
possible meeting of Musharraf and Vajpayee in Almaty.
June 3
Five stories related to the conflict were published.

No
1 Jeddah AFP OIC urges dialogue OS P SP
on Kashmir issue
2 Singapore AFP ‘India under pressure OS C N
to attack terrorists’
3 New Delhi Agencies Vajpayee to watch OS C SN
steps against
terrorism
4 Muzaffarabad Agencies No let-up in Indian AS C EN
shelling: six killed
5 Dushanbe APP Musharraf says onus OS C N
on India for talks:
Accord signed with
Tajikistan
The paper reported that the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) asked India
and Pakistan to resolve their disputes and offered help to defuse tension. Indian Defence
Minister George Fernandes said in Singapore that India faced pressure to act against
Pakistan. Vajpayee was reported as saying that he would see what steps Pakistan takes to
eliminate militancy before any talks. His reaction came ahead of regional meeting in
Almaty where he was supposed to come face to face with Musharraf. The paper also
reported that there was no letup in shelling by the Indian forces in Kashmir which killed
at least six people. Musharraf stopped in Tajikistan for talks with its President Emomali
Rakhmnonov while on his way to Almaty, and told reporters that onus for the dialogue
was on India.
128
June 4
Another day of moderate coverage as the paper carried four stories.

No
1 New Delhi AFP/ Indian official says OS C EN
Guardian attack plan ready:
News Defence ministry
Service plays down report
2 Islamabad Reporter Pakistan to pay $1.8m MS C SN
to India
3 Sialkot Agencies Nine more die in AS C EN
border shelling
4 Almaty Reuters Musharraf ready for MS P SP
unconditional talks
with India
The paper carried a story based on the contradictory statements by the Indian officials
regarding use of nuclear weapons in case of nuclear attack by Pakistan. The defence
ministry in a statement said that India does not believe in the use of nuclear weapons.
This statement came after comment by Defence Secretary Yogendra Narain that they
would retaliate with the nuclear weapons if Pakistan used its atomic arsenal, and that both
countries must be prepared for “mutual destruction.”147 It was reported that Pakistan will
pay India for providing data related to advance flood forecast. As the tension continued,
at least nine people were killed in Pakistan by Indian cross border shelling. Musharraf
told reporters in Almaty that he was ready for the “unconditional” dialogue with India.
June 5

No
1 Almaty AFP Vajpayee rejects talks OS C EN
offer
2 Washington Agencies Armitage asks India MS N SP
147
“Indian official says attack plan ready: Defence ministry plays down report,” Dawn, June 4, 2002.
129
to behave responsibly
3 Islamabad Reuters Indian official AS C N
stopped
4 Muzaffarabad Agencies Two die, 15 injured MS C EN
in Indian shelling
5 Almaty Agencies Leaders agree on MS N SP
using peaceful means
6 Sialkot Agencies 11 cattle killed in MS C N
Indian shelling
Prime Minister Vajpayee lashed at Pakistan without naming it by saying that the
“epicenter of terrorism and religious extremism” was close to India’s borders. US Deputy
Secretary of State Richard Armitage was reported as telling India to behave in a
responsible manner. In another story Pakistan stopped an Indian embassy official,
accused of spying, from leaving the country. It was reported that two people died in
Pakistan due to the shelling by India. Leaders of both countries agreed to use peaceful
means to settle issues. Russian President Putin met Musharraf and Vajpayee. Another
interesting story was about the killing of 11 cattle in Pakistan due to the Indian firing.
October 1
There were only three stories.
Table 3.66: Dawn Coverage on October 1

No
1 Srinagar AFP Abdullah favours OS P SP
dialogue
2 Islamabad Report Tension has not eased OS C N
much, says Inam
3 Muzaffarabad Report Three die in Indian AS C EN
shelling along LoC
AFP reported that Omar Abdullah, head of the occupied Kashmir’s ruling party, said he
supported talks with Pakistan over the fate of the divided region. Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, Inamul Haque, said the tensions with India had of late lessened, but the
armed forces stood ready to meet any eventuality. The paper quoted police saying that
three people were killed and five injured in Kashmir due to the Indian shelling.
130
October 2
Another three stories were published on the second day of coverage.

No
1 Islamabad APP Japan asks Pakistan, OS N P
India to resume talks
2 New Delhi AFP Pakistan termed OS C N
epicenter of terrorism
3 Islamabad AFP Rocca calls for India, AS P SP
Pakistan talks
APP reported that Japanese ambassador to Pakistan Sadaaki Numata addressing a

farewell reception said that India and Pakistan should resume dialogue. According to a
report by AFP Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani said Pakistan was hub of the global
terrorism. Another AFP story said US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca met
President Musharraf and called for a dialogue with India.
October 3
The paper carried four stories.

No
1 Muzaffarabad Staff Woman dies in AS C EN
Corresp. shelling
violence
3 Islamabad APP Indian forces told to AS C N
get ready for
exigencies
4 New Delhi Jawed War last option, says OS P SP
Naqvi India
The staff correspondent reported from Muzaffarabad that a woman was killed by the
Indian shelling. AFP reported from Srinagar that 15 people were killed in the violence.
131
APP said that the Indian government had asked its armed forces to be prepared for all
exigencies by the third week of October 2002. Jawed Naqvi reported that Foreign
Minister Yashwant Sinha said war with Pakistan was only the last option.
October 4
The coverage was in low zone.

No
1 Toronto Report LoC as Permanent OS C SN
border opposed
2 Muzaffarabad Reuters Two killed in Indian AS C EN
shelling
3 Srinagar Reuters Eight killed in AS C EN
Kashmir
As Pakistan and India wrangled how to end the tension, a visiting parliamentary
delegation of Azad Kashmir to Canada strongly opposed the idea of converting the LoC
into permanent border. Reuter’s two stories about violence in Kashmir were also
published.
October 5
The coverage period for this slot ended with five stories.

No
1 Muzaffarabad Report One dies in Indian AS C EN
shelling
2 New Delhi Reuters/AFP Kashmir vote won’t OS C N
pave way for talks
3 New Delhi Report New Delhi test-fires OS C N
Akash missile
4 Islamabad Report Pakistan fires Hatf OS C N
132
The paper reported that one person was killed in Azad Kashmir by the Indian firing. A
report by Reuters and AFP quoted Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal that successful
elections in the Indian Kashmir would not automatically pave the way for the resumption
of dialogue. “We have always maintained that Pakistan must end cross-border terrorism
to clear all obstacles for a dialogue,” he said.148 The paper had a story that India test-fired
its domestically-built, surface-to-air Akash missile. It reported that Pakistan also test-
fired a medium-range ballistic missile.
3.5.2- The Frontier Post

As mentioned above, the coverage has been divided into three phases. Daily Times is the
major second paper for the coverage. Since the paper was launched on April 8, 2002,
hence the Frontier Post has been used for the Escalation Period from January 1 to 5.
January 1
There were seven stories, mostly about the ongoing tension due to attack on the Indian
parliament.
Table 3.71: The Frontier Post Coverage on January 1

No
1 Islamabad Naveed Army in top AS C N
Miraj operational gear
2 New Delhi Online India rules out talks OS C N
during Saarc summit
3 Islamabad FP Report Pakistan open to OS C N
mediation, diplomacy
4 Islamabad FP Report President briefed on MS C N
PAF preparedness
5 Peshawar Online Indian traders not to MS C SN
attend exhibition
6 Islamabad FP Report Pakistan-India war to OS P P
wreak havoc: JKLF
7 Lahore PPI Indian court moved MS N SN
for Kashmir freedom
148
“Kashmir vote won’t pave way for talks: India,” Dawn, October 5, 2010.
133
In the front page headline by Naveed Miraj, the paper reported that the army top
commanders met in Rawalpindi and reviewed the status of military preparedness in the
light of tension with India. Online agency reported that India ruled out any talks with
Pakistan during the SAARC Summit in Nepal. FO said Pakistan will not hand over any
person wanted in India. President Musharraf was briefed about the preparedness of the
Air Force. The paper also reported that the Indian traders refused to attend an
international exhibition in Peshawar. JKLF warned that any war between Pakistan and
India will bring disaster. There was a report from Lahore that Indian Supreme Court was
moved for production of thousands of Kashmiris confined in jails.
January 2
The paper published nine stories about ties and tension with India.

No
1 Islamabad FP Report Pakistan, India share OS N SP
nuclear info
2 Islamabad Naveed Cabinet, NSC joint MS C N
Miraj meeting to discuss
border situation
3 New Delhi FP Report Delhi says no talks OS C N
with Islamabad
4 Islamabad Naveed Yusaf visits LoC OS N SN
Miraj
5 Kathmandu NNI Saarc summit revives MS P P
hopes for peace in
region
6 Dhrampur Online India deploys more AS C EN
troops along Kashmir
border
7 Kathmandu NNI Saarc ministers laud OS N SP
Pakistan’s restraint
policy
8 Lahore PPI India blamed for OS C N
violating Lahore-
Delhi bus deal
9 Islamabad NNI Musharraf-Vajpayee OS N SP
meeting possible at
Saarc summit: Niak
134
The main story was about annual exchange ritual when India and Pakistan under an
agreement share the lists of respective nuclear installations. Naveed Miraj reported about
a joint meeting of cabinet and National Security Council that discussed the border
situation. It was reported from India that it will not hold talks with Pakistan. Vice Army
Chief General Yusaf visited the LoC. Online reported that India was amassing troops on
the border.
There were two reports by NNI about the upcoming SAARC Summit that revived hopes
of regional peace. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation slammed India for
violating the 1999 agreement to run the buses between the two countries for five years
but India stopped the traffic after the parliament attack. Though India had officially said
that no meeting with Pakistan will take place in Nepal but track two diplomacy guru Niaz
Niak said the meeting was still possible.
January 3
The paper carried 11 stories, including nine on the front page.

No
1 Islamabad Naveed Aggressor to regret: OS C EN
Miraj Musharraf
2 Islamabad FP Report Musharraf urges US OS C N
to restraint India
3 Islamabad FP Report Pakistan seeks world OS C N
help to end tension
4 New Delhi Agencies New Delhi hopes to OS P SP
avert showdown
5 Islamabad Agencies Pakistan, India troops AS C EN
trade fire
6 Kathmandu Agencies Sattar, Singh shake MS P SP
hands
7 Islamabad FP Report JCSC review border AS C N
situation
8 London Agencies Blair heads to India, MS N SP
Pakistan amid tense
standoff
135
9 Srinagar Agencies 18 injured in held MS C N

valley grenade attack
10 Washington Online US pushing for MS N P
Musharraf, Vajpayee
meeting
11 Srinagar APP 8 Kashmiris killed, 14 MS C N
houses burnt
Naveed Miraj reported that Musharraf while presiding a joint meeting of the cabinet and
National Security Council warned that the aggressor will regret its attack on Pakistan.149
FO said the international community should play its role in easing the tension with India.
Indian defence minister George Fernandes said the Indian forces were not in battle
position as “efforts are being made to defuse the tension”.150 There was a negative
development as reports showed an exchange of fire between the troops of the two
countries in Kashmir.
On the positive side, foreign minister of two countries shook hands in Nepal. Another
good development was that British Prime Minister Tony Blair was coming to India and
Pakistan to help reduce the tension. Pakistan military discussed the border situation at the
JSCS meeting and news agencies reported that 18 people were killed in the held Kashmir.
Online agency reported that America was pushing for a meeting between Musharraf and
Vajpayee on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit. APP reported that Indian troops killed
eight people and burnt 14 houses in Kashmir.
January 4
The coverage was still in high mode and there were eight stories related to India.

No
1 Islamabad FP Report No policy shift on OS C N
Kashmir issue
2 Lucknow Agencies Vajpayee speaks of OS C EN
war
149
Naveed Miraj, “Aggressor to regret: Musharraf,” The Frontier Post, January 3, 2002.
150
“New Delhi hopes to avert showdown,” The Frontier Post, January 3, 2002.
136
3 Beijing Agencies Pakistan willing to OS P SP

ease tension with
India: Musharraf
4 Dhaka Agencies Blair says India- OS N SP
Pakistan row
threatens world
stability
5 Islamabad Agencies Militants says moving AS C EN
into held Valley
6 Kathmandu Reuters India welcomes OS P SP
Pakistan steps but
wants more
7 Srinagar Agencies 20 killed as Kashmir MS C EN
violence escalates
8 Islamabad PPI Danger of Pakistan, OS P SP
India war abated:
Mushahid
FO said there was no change in the policy on Kashmir and Pakistan was willing for the
direct talks with India. There were two contrasting scenario as Musharraf said in Beijing
that Pakistan was ready to reduce tension with India while Vajpayee said at Lucknow that
war will follow if Pakistan failed to stem terrorism.151 News agencies reported Blair said
in Dhaka that the tension between Pakistan and India could destabilize the world peace.
There was an interesting news item that after crackdown by Pakistan, the militants were
moving into the held Kashmir, where according to a separate report at least 20 people
were killed due to the violence. Reuters reported that India was happy at the steps taken
by Pakistan against the militants but it wanted more to completely end the threat of
militancy. Former minister Mushahid Hussain said that the danger of war had receded.
January 5
The last day of coverage saw nine stories.

No
1 Kathmandu Agencies India rejects talks MS C N
with Pakistan
151
“Vajpayee speaks of war,” The Frontier Post, January 4, 2002.
137
2 Kathmandu NNI Pakistan wants to OS P SP

defuse tension on
borders: Qureshi
3 Islamabad Naveed US, India in concert AS C N
Miraj over Pakistan?
4 New Delhi Xinhua British PM arrives in OS N SP
Bangalore
5 Karachi NNI 300 more held as AS N SP
crackdown on Jihadis
continue
6 Islamabad APP Saarc summit can OS N SP
help de-escalate
tension: Zaki
7 Karachi Online Pakistan ready to OS C N
meet aggression: Gen
Aziz
8 Islamabad Online Pakistan not to use OS C EN
nuclear weapons in
war; Moin
9 Islamabad FP Report India blamed for MS C N
sponsoring state
terrorism
There was a major negative story on the front page that India was not willing for talks in
Kathmandu and that Pak-India leaders did not exchange a word at the dinner by the host
country. Military spokesman Rashid Qureshi said Pakistan wanted easing of tension on
the borders. Naveed Miraj reported that the US and India were in agreement to put
pressure on Pakistan on the issue of militancy. The British Prime Minister Tony Blair had
arrived in India to help reduce the tension and an important story was about crackdown
on militants in Pakistan. A former foreign secretary said the SAARC Summit can help to
end tension. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Aziz Khan said they
were ready if war was imposed on the country. A former general and now minister for
interior Moinuddin Haider said Pakistan will not use nuclear weapons in case of a war.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in a fact sheet said India was sponsoring terrorism.
138
3.5.3- Daily Times
Daily Times has been used for the rest of coverage of the period of military standoff. The
paper was launched in 2002 with progressive outlook. It has been supportive of peaceful
ties with neighbours and it is interesting to see its coverage during the 2002 crisis. The
10-day coverage during last two phases of military standoff is presented.
June 1
There were nine stories related to India and most of them were negative as they
highlighted conflict between the two countries.
Table 3.76: Daily Times Coverage on June 1

No
1 Singapore AFP/Reuters Border situation OS C N
stable: Fernandes
2 Washington Khalid Hasan Western states allow OS C N
staff to leave India
3 New Delhi Daily Times India planning 10- AS C EN
Report day AJK assault
4 New Delhi PTI/NNI Unmanned Indian AS C N
plane crashes near
Pak border
5 Muzaffarabad AFP/Reuters Two Pakistani AS C EN
civilians, 2 Indian
soldiers dead in LoC
shelling
6 Washington AFP Indian nuke arsenal MS C N
dwarfs Pakistan’s
7 Moscow NNI Pakistan raps OS C SN
Russia’s arms supply
to India
8 New Delhi Reuters Weather a key factor MS N SN
if India, Pakistan go
to war
9 Srinagar Reuters India responsible if OS C N
war erupts: APHC
chief
139
The paper carried a story of news agencies that Indian Defense Minister George
Fernandes said that the border situation with Pakistan was tense but there was no threat of
war. Khalid Hasan reported from Washington that US State Department had alerted all
Americans living in India of voluntary departure due to the tension. The paper also
quoted Christian Science Monitor, which reported officials that India was planning a 10-
day “limited” assault in Kashmir if “infiltration did not significantly drop.” There was a
report about an unmanned Indian Air Force reconnaissance plane crashing near Pakistan
border. In the ongoing exchange of fire, two Pakistani civilians and two Indian soldiers
were killed in firing along the LoC.
The paper also published Jane’s defense publications story that India has up to 150
nuclear warheads while Pakistan had only a third of that total. NNI reported that
Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia Iftikhar Murshed was quoted as saying by the Interfax
news agency that Moscow’s support and arms supply to India had created problems.
Reuters in a feature said that weather will play key role in case of war between Pakistan
and India. Reuters from Srinagar reported that APHC chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat said
India would be responsible in case of eruption of war.
June 2
The paper published four stories.

No
1 Islamabad Reuters/AFP Nuclear war OS C SN
unthinkable, says
Musharraf
2 Washington Khalid Hasan End to infiltration no MS C N
guarantee India
won’t attack: CSIS
3 Islamabad Shaukat Indian ‘spy’ nabbed AS C EN
Piracha in capital, India
alleges ‘tit for tat’
response
4 Lahore Staff Report Qazi baiting govt to OS C N
act against India
140
The paper reported Musharraf said in a CNN interview that no sane person can think of a
nuclear war. Khalid Hasan reported that according to the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS) think-tank, any new terrorist attack in India could trigger an
Indian decision to take military action.152 Shaukat Piracha reported Pakistan nabbed an
Indian High Commission employee Kulwant Singh in Islamabad while he was receiving
“documents”. The arrest followed the detention of a Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi.
The paper said chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said Musharraf
government was endangering the Kashmir cause.
June 3
Four stories were published in the paper.

No
1 Moscow AFP Russia won’t recall MS N SP
diplomats from
Pakistan
2 Singapore Reuters/AFP India under pressure OS C N
to attack ‘terrorists’
in AJK
3 Dushanbe APP Onus on India to OS C N
open dialogue, says
Musharraf
4 Sialkot AFP 4 more killed by AS C EN
Indian shelling across
LoC
AFP reported quoting Interfax news agency that Russia will not pull out diplomatic
mission from Islamabad despite the tension with India. Indian Defence Minister George
Fernandes said his country would keep pressure on Pakistan for action against the
militants. He conceded that Delhi was under pressure to launch limited attacks at the
“camps” of terrorist in Kashmir. APP reported that Musharraf said at a joint press
conference with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmanov in Dushanbe that Pakistan was
ready for talks with India “anytime, anywhere”. AFP in a report from the border city of
152
Khalid Hasan, “End to infiltration no guarantee India won’t attack: CSIS,” Daily Times, June 2, 2002.
141
Sialkot said that four Pakistanis and one Indian were killed in the exchange of firing on
the LoC.
June 4
There were five relevant stories.

No
1 Almaty Reuters/AFP Musharraf offers OS N SP
‘unconditional’ talks
to India
2 Islamabad Agencies Pak counter-attack MS C EN
leaves 35 Indian
soldiers dead or
wounded
3 Almaty Reuters/AFP India wants warning OS C N
to ‘terrorism’
sponsors
4 New Delhi Iftikhar Defence Ministry AS C N
Gilani allowed Rs 3 billion
carte blanche
5 Washington Reuters/AFP Rumsfeld leaves for AS N P
India, Pakistan today
The paper carried a report that Musharraf said he was ready for the unconditional talks
with Vajpayee to solve the Kashmir issue. Newswires reported that Pakistan killed or
wounded at least 35 Indian soldiers in an offensive along the LoC. Vajpayee speaking at
a lunch hosted by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev ahead of Conference on
Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) said that the summit
should warn countries supporting terrorism. Iftikhar Gilani reported India was on an arms
shopping spree as Defence Ministry authorized to purchase weapons up to Rs 3 billion.
Reuters and AFP reported from Washington that Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
was going on a trip that will include visits to India and Pakistan.
142
June 6
The coverage on June 5 was not available. Hence the coverage was extended to June 6.
The paper had five stories on the day related to the topic of the research.

No
1 Islamabad Rana Qaisar Indo-Pak tension OS P SP
reduced: Musharraf
2 Islamabad Staff Report India proposes, AS C SN
Pakistan rejects joint
LoC patrols
3 Islamabad Staff Report Pakistan asks Indian MS C N
official to leave
4 Washington Daily Times The India-Pakistan MS C N
Report war machine
5 Berlin APP Germany asks India, OS N SP
Pakistan to reduce
tension
Rana Qaisar reported Musharraf saying that the tension between Pakistan and India had
decreased. The paper published a report that India proposed joint border patrols but
Pakistan rejected the offer as unworkable. It reported that Pakistan declared Kulwant
Singh, an official of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, persona non-grata and
asked him to leave the country within seven days. The paper reported about an editorial
in the Washington Post that a proposal by Russian President Putin to broker a peace
between Pakistan and India on the sidelines of the 15-nation summit in Almaty failed to
get positive response. The tension was so high that leaders of Pakistan and India even did
not shake hands despite present under the same roof. APP reported that German Foreign
Minister Fischer urged Pakistan and India to reduce tensions.
October 1
There was only one story on the first day of coverage for de-escalation period. Shaukat
Piracha reported that FO said Pakistan’s defence forces were fully aware of the ‘war-like’
preparations of India.
143
Table 3.81: Daily Times Coverage on October 1

No
1 Islamabad Shaukat Pakistan aware of OS C N
Piracha India’s warlike
preparations: FO
October 2
The second day saw good coverage as there were five stories.

No
1 Srinagar Agencies Kashmiris shun polls’ MS C N
3rd phase
2 Washington Staff Report Pervez, Vajpayee can OS N SP
resolve Kashmir:
Midways
3 New Delhi AFP India can sustain air OS C N
deployment for
another year’
4 Washington Khalid India, Pakistan cited MS N SN
Hasan for lack of religious
tolerance
5 Islamabad Khalid India agrees to OS P P
Mustafa discuss Bag liar
project
The paper reported that most of the voters stayed away in the third phase of polls in
Indian Kashmir. Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani during a function of ‘Anti-
Terrorism Day’ organised by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) termed Pakistan the ‘cradle
of global terrorism’. Large-scale violence marred elections in the Indian-held Kashmir,
claiming 21 lives. Pro-Pakistan Kashmir leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in
Washington that Musharraf and Vajpayee can bring peace in Kashmir. Indian Air Chief
Marshal S Krishnaswamy said IAF can sustain its present level of deployment against
Pakistan for at least another year.
144
Khalid Hasan reported from Washington that US Commission on International Religious

Freedom has recommended that 12 countries, including India and Pakistan, should be
designated as “countries of particular concern” (CPCs). Khalid Mustafa said India had
agreed to discuss with Pakistan the issue of controversial 450-megawatt (MW) Baghliar
hydroelectric project.
October 3
No story related to the topic was carried on the day.
October 4
Again there was no story in the paper linked to the relations with India.
October 5
On the last day of this coverage slot, there were three relevant stories in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad Mobarik Pakistan, India test OS C N
Virk missiles
2 New Delhi AFP ‘IHK polls don’t OS C N
oblige India to begin
talks’
3 Islamabad NNI India plans to disrupt OS C N
polls in Pakistan, says
Moin
The paper reported tit-for-tit missile tests by Pakistan and India, showing that although
the border tension had been reduced but the two sides were still focused on the military
preparedness. AFP reported India saying that election in its part of Kashmir will not pave
way for talks with Pakistan. NNI news agency said that Interior Minister Moinuddin
Haider accused India of planning to disrupt the elections in Pakistan which were being
held on October 10.
145
3.6- Electronic Media and Military Standoff
Ziauddin’s position on the 2002 military standoff was not much different from his views
on the coverage of the parliament attack in the Pakistani media. He said Pakistan media
“took a position which was the position of the government.” After the parliament attack,
Indian mobilized its troops and Pakistan responded by mobilizing its forces towards the
border. They were in an eyeball-to-eyeball position. Media was with the troops at that
time and supported the mobilization. He said, “I don’t think Pakistan media played any
positive role at that time”. He recalled some of the editorials of Dawn which were urging
the two sides for peace otherwise the nationalistic mood overwhelmed the media.
According to Rahimullah Yusufzai, the 2002 standoff was decided by the government
and media had no role in the mobilization of troops. He said army wanted to mobilize the
force due to the Indian threat and deploy them on the border. “Army could have been
aware that it should be on the border as the Indian troops had been mobilized and that the
Indians were in an aggressive mood. I think they would have done that (mobilized) in any
case.”153 He also said that there is question of border security and no country can leave
the borders open. “That is why when Pakistan is fighting militants in tribal areas as part
of the war on terror, the border with India is well defended,” he said.
He criticised India for threatening Pakistan for one year that it will launch attack and
enter Pakistan to take the revenge for the parliament attack. He said it was mainly due to
the domestic compulsions in India and the government and army wanted to tell the people
that they were serious about it. “So, Pakistan had no choice but to defend. Media also
came into patriotic mood and there was a lot of display of patriotism in the media.”
He also said that the strange part of the standoff was that local media just wanted the
Pakistan army to defend the country and no one talked about the important issue of the
Indians that Pakistan-based militants could be involved in the attack on their parliament.
When asked about any talk-show or stories in media about the destruction which war can
cause, he said, “These were few and far between. There are some pacifists who do this
153
146
but there are limited and their voices are not really heard.”154 He also complained that
there was no effective campaign to stop the war and projects like Aman ki Asha was
launched after the Mumbai attack. He also acknowledged that this joint initiative by Jang
group and Times of India has been criticised. He said that the occasional comments and
articles against war were mostly by the politicians and nationalists. Yusufzai said that
these pro-peace voices were weak.
Javed Siddiq criticised Pakistani electronic media for creating hype during the standoff.
He said the two militaries were arrayed against each other and the media thought that the
Indians might attack Pakistan or start a limited war. “So, Pakistani media was geared up
to promote a sentiment of patriotism in the country.”155 He said the two countries were
involved in the blame game like the past, and the establishment in Pakistan was “feeding”
the local media that the entire standoff issue was due to the Indian hardline attitude.
There was also a pervasive view in the media that Pakistan was under tremendous
pressure due to the war on terror and India wanted to extract some benefit out of its
predicament and exploit its strategic weakness due to its heavily involvement in the war
on terror. He said the local media believed that India wanted to punish Pakistan as it had
a tactical advantage over the Pakistan army. “There was no attempt to cool down the
situation as the media was busy in creating the hype”.156
Talking about the pro-peace efforts in media, he said there were a few positive steps and
some Indian journalists were invited to TV talk-shows. But it didn’t create any positive
impact as the rival participants often disagreed on the military standoff and exchanged
heated arguments. There were analyses and talk-shows to highlight the horrors of wars
but it lacked substance. “I think there was no somber, objective analysis done in the talk
shows, barring a few ones where restraint was advised to both India and Pakistan.” He
said some strategic experts on television urged the governments to control the situation
due to the nuclear threat. They said if war broke out even at limited level, it may result in
a nuclear showdown. “The prospect of nuclear war was very alarming,” he said.
154
155
Siddiq, interview.
156
Siddiq, interview.
147
3.7- Print Media and Composite Dialogue
The launch of composite dialogue in 2004 was a comprehensive effort to find peace. The
process continued for about five years until it was suspended by India after Mumbai
terrorist attacks in 2008. Its coverage period has been divided into three parts:
1- Launch of Dialogue: January 3-7, 2004

2- Mid-term Review (Around Musharraf visit to India): April 15-19, 2005
3- Final Review (Around Mumbai Train attack): July 9-13, 2006
Dawn has been used as major paper to scan the coverage while three papers, including
The Nation, The Frontier Post and Daily Times, have been used as second papers. First,
coverage in Dawn is presented.
3.7.1- Dawn
The coverage for the launch of dialogue period is from 3 to 7 January, 2004.
January 3
The paper carried 11 stories about the relations with India.
Table 3.84: Dawn Coverage on Jan 3

No
1 New Delhi dpa Great expectations of OS P P
peace rest on Saarc
summit
2 Islamabad Report Russia backs peace OS N SP
moves between India,
Pakistan: envoy
3 Islamabad APP Pakistan, India urged OS N SP
to resolve disputes
4 Rawalpindi Report/AFP Full-dress rehearsal AS N SP
inspected: Special
device to move ahead
of Indian PM's
convoy
5 Karachi Report Jubilations as divided MS P P
families meet again:
Karachi-Mumbai
148
flights
6 Srinagar AFP India stops Geelani OS C N
from Haj
7 Islamabad Report Mishra's early arrival AS P SP
raises hope for
bilateral meeting
8 Islamabad Reuters India ready to OS P P
consider gas pipeline
via Pakistan
9 New Delhi Reuters Vajpayee seeks OS C SN
change in Pakistan's
stance
10 Islamabad Report Islamabad summit to OS N SP
be historic, says
Sinha
11 Islamabad Report Vajpayee due today MS P EP
German newswire dpa reported Vajpayee saying that the 12th SAARC Summit from
January 4-6 will provide an opportunity for the regional peace including better ties with
Pakistan. The paper reported that Russian ambassador to Pakistan, Edward Shevchenko,
said his country supported the peace efforts between Pakistan and India. APP reported
that Russian ambassador urged both countries to resolve differences. There was a news
story that Indian security officials were bringing a special device to Pakistan to boost
security for their prime minister during the SAARC Summit. The device known as
"Initiator" can detect and detonate any explosive device before time. The paper also
reported about the start of flights between Mumbai and Karachi.
AFP reported Syed Ali Geelani, a pro-Pakistan APHC leader, said that 40 Muslims were
denied permission to travel to Saudi Arabia for Haj. Also, it was reported that Vajpayee's
lead adviser on foreign policy Brajesh Mishra arrived in Islamabad ahead of him, which
raised hopes for the peace. According to Reuters Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha told a
business forum that Pakistan was a vital link between India and Gulf and Central Asian
regions. Reuters reported that Vajpayee said in an interview ahead of Pakistan visit that
Kashmir could be solved if Pakistan changed its policy that the region belongs to it
because of its Muslim majority. Yashwant Sinha said the SAARC Summit will be
successful. The paper reported that Vajpayee was coming to Islamabad after nearly a
149
quarter century since his first visit in 1978 as Foreign Minister of Prime Minister Morarji
Desai.
January 4
The coverage was moderate as the paper carried six stories.

No
1 Karachi Report Pakistan, India MS P SP
urged to respect
rights
2 Islamabad APP Saarc moot to be OS P SP
historic: Shashank
3 Islamabad Report Summit opens MS N SP
today on optimistic
note
4 Islamabad Report Sinha sees winds of OS P P
change in region:
Islamabad making
history
5 Islamabad Reuter/AFP/APP Vajpayee willing to OS P P
hold talks with
Musharraf: Indian
PM arrives in
Islamabad
6 Islamabad APP Warm welcome MS P P
accorded
A civil society group, Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy
(PIPFPD), met in Karachi and urged both countries to respect the basic rights. APP
reported that Foreign Secretary (FS) Shashank told media that the SAARC Summit will
be historic. The paper also noted that the summit opens on January 4. Yashwant Sinha
said at the SAARC journalist summit organized by SAFMA that important decisions
were made at the Council of Ministers meeting. Vajpayee told PTV in an interview that
Musharraf was someone he could talk but needed time for agreement on Kashmir. APP
reported Vajpayee was given warm welcome on arrival to attend the summit. He was the
150
second Indian leader to land at Islamabad International Airport after late Prime Minister
Rajiv Gandhi visited in 1988.
January 5
Five stories were published.

No
1 Islamabad Report Vajpayee seeks MS P P
mutual trust
2 Srinagar AFP Kashmiris pledge to MS P P
work for peace
3 Islamabad Report Jamali, Vajpayee hold OS P EP
one-on-one meeting:
Talks with Musharraf
today
4 Islamabad Report High hopes mark start MS P EP
of summit
5 Islamabad Report President pleads for MS P EP
end to rifts: Reception
for Saarc leaders
The paper reported that the SAARC Summit had started. Vajpayee was applauded when
he gave his speech. "We must make the bold transition from mistrust to trust, from
discord to concord, and from tension to peace," he said. AFP reported that both hardline
and moderate separatists in Kashmir vowed to work for peace. The paper also reported
that Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali met counterpart Vajpayee and discussed the vital
issues. An important meeting was scheduled between Musharraf and Vajpayee.
Separately, it was reported that SAARC had rekindled hopes for the regional peace.
President Musharraf speaking at a reception for the SAARC leaders highlighted need for
peace through the resolution of the political disputes.
January 6
The coverage went dramatically up due to the meetings of Vajpayee with the Pakistan
leaders.
151

No
1 Islamabad Report Musharraf, Vajpayee MS P EP
hold historic meeting
2 Islamabad Report Secretary level AS P EP
discussion soon
3 Islamabad APP 'New answers' being OS P P
sought, says Vajpayee
4 Islamabad APP Joint efforts sought to OS P P
resolve issues
5 Muzaffarabad Report MJC doubts Saarc OS C N
summit's success
6 Chakothi Report Kashmiris hope for MS P P
durable truce
7 Islamabad Report It might be real this MS P P
time
8 New Delhi APP Indian press MS P P
commends peace
moves
9 Islamabad Report Fahim welcomes OS P SP
peace efforts
10 Srinagar APP APHC calls for OS C SN
Saarc's role in peace
process
The lead of the day was a meeting between Musharraf and Vajpayee. In their 65-minute
meeting, they discussed all important issues and also agreed to launch the composite
dialogue.157 APP reported that Vajpayee said the dialogue will continue to find a solution
for the problems. Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali urged for collective efforts
to confront the problems faced by South Asia. Chairman of the Muttahida Jihad Council
and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Salahuddin said he doubted the outcome of
SAARC to establish durable peace. It was also reported that hopes were high among the
people living along the LoC in Azad Kashmir that the gathering of leaders will create
peace.
The paper also carried an analysis that it was time for making advances towards the real
peace between Pakistan and India. APP gave an overview of the Indian press which was
157
“Musharraf, Vajpayee hold historic meeting,” Dawn, January 6, 2004.
152
positive about the peace moves. Leader of PPP and chairman Alliance for the Restoration
of Democracy (ARD) Amin Fahim welcomed the efforts initiated by Pakistan and India.
APP in its report said that APHC leader Syed Ali Gilani urged the SAARC leaders to
persuade India to initiate a serious, sincere and meaningful dialogue on Kashmir.
January 7
There were 10 relevant stories.

No
1 Islamabad Report Dialogue to start next OS P EP
month
2 Islamabad Report It's a leap forward, OS P P
says president
3 Islamabad Report Early contacts to focus AS P P
on trade
4 Islamabad Report Economic and OS N SP
political issues
interlinked: PM
5 Islamabad APP Pakistan, India Joint OS P P
Statement
6 Islamabad Report Kashmiri leaders MS C SN
express concern:
Pakistan-India peace
move
7 Islamabad Report Vajpayee to be gifted AS P P
sherwanis
8 Sialkot Report Talks vital for OS N SP
Kashmir solution:
congressmen
9 New Delhi Report Kashmiri leaders to OS N SP
wait for their turn in
talks
10 New Delhi APP Vajpayee returns MS N SP
In a major development the two sides issued the joint statement of Musharraf-Vajpayee
meeting in which they agreed to start peace talks from the next month.158 Officials told
Dawn that talks will also focus on trade with other problems. PM Jamali was quoted as
158
“Dialogue to start next month,” Dawn, January 7, 2004.
153
saying that the economic and political issues were mutually linked and SAARC had taken
initiatives for better ties among the members. The paper also published the full text of
joint statement. Leaders from Kashmir welcomed the start of the dialogue. Pakistan gifted
four sherwanis to Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee by designer Amir Adnan who also
made sherwanis for Musharraf. Three US Congressmen welcomed the talks of Musharraf
and Jamali with Vajpayee during SAARC, while pro-freedom Kashmiri leaders said they
will wait for their inclusion in the talks. APP reported that Vajpayee had returned after
the summit.
April 15
The coverage period for the mid-term review of the dialogue is from April 15-19, 2005.
Dawn’s coverage continued in this period, which carried four stories on this day.
Table 3.89: Dawn Coverage on April 15

No
1 New Delhi Agencies Islamabad abetting OS C N
terrorism: Delhi
2 Lahore Reporter India frees 24 MS P P
Pakistani prisoners
3 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi India hints at troop MS P P
reduction in Valley
4 Rawalpindi Reuters Musharraf optimistic OS P P
about visit outcome
The paper reported Defence Minister Parnab Mukherjee as saying that Pakistan was
encouraging religious terrorism in Kashmir. His cabinet colleague Foreign Minister
Natwar Singh said it was not possible to give any timeframe for the resolution of
disputes. There was a report that India released 24 Pakistani prisoners and Pakistan
announced to set free 564 Indian prisoners. In a major development ahead of visit of
Musharraf, India hinted to reduce troops in Kashmir. “If the level of violence comes
down, and if the infiltration remains low… then the level of Indian forces can come
down,” India’s National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan said.159 Musharraf said in an
159
“India hints at troops’ reduction in Valley,” Dawn, April 15, 2005.
154
interview with Reuters that he hoped for the resolution of Kashmir issue and that the
peace process was irreversible.
April 16
Only three stories were published in the paper.

No
1 Washington Anwar Iqbal Bush urges India to MS N SP
‘encourage’
Musharraf
2 Islamabad Reporter Pakistan-India MS P P
summit today
3 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Singh call for joint OS N SP
anti-terror strategy
Dawn reported from Washington that President George Bush met Indian Foreign
Minister Natwar Singh and told media that he had asked the Indian diplomat to be
appreciative of Musharraf’s efforts against al-Qaeda. An important story was about the
landing of Musharraf in India, where he was scheduled to meet Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh. Natwar Singh was set to meet Musharraf before his meeting with the
Indian premier. Jawed Naqvi reported that Manmohan Singh said that there was need of a
joint anti-terror strategy with Pakistan to fight militancy.
April 17
The coverage of relations with India went up to eight stories as Musharraf had arrived in
India for talks on the sidelines of the SAARC conference.

No
1 New Delhi Unknown Optimistic mood MS P P
prevails in New Delhi
2 New Delhi Habib Khan ‘Musharraf in Delhi OS P P

Ghori with open mind’
155
3 New Delhi AFP ‘We need to seize this OS P P

opportunity’
4 Srinagar AFP ‘Mujahideen ready OS P P
for talks with India’
5 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Resolve Kashmir OS C SN
issue for peace, says
Musharraf
6 Muzaffarabad Reporter Many AJK citizens MS C SN
still in Indian jails
7 Ajmer AFP Musharraf prays for MS P P
peace, visits to Ajmer
shrine
8 Islamabad APP APHC leaders arrive OS C SN
in Delhi
The paper reported from Indian capital that optimism was in the air as Musharraf arrived
for a three-day visit to attend the SAARC Summit and hold talks with the Indian leaders.
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said Musharraf had gone to India with an
open mind to hold dialogue. AFP reported that Musharraf said soon after reaching in
Delhi that he was hopeful to resolve all issues through talks. He also said it was time to
create peace. AFP also reported that Hizbul Mujahideen said it was ready for talks with
India and its chief Syed Salahuddin in an interview with the Zee News said the dialogue
“should be serious and sincere and involve no political maneuvering.” Separately,
Musharraf said he had brought a message of peace and solidarity but also cautioned that
Kashmir could not be brushed under the carpet. The paper also reported that a number of
people from Azad Kashmir were in the Indian jails. AFP reported that Musharraf visited
shrine of a Sufi saint in Ajmer and prayed for peace. APP reported that a delegation of
APHC had arrived in New Delhi to meet Musharraf.
April 18
Another eight stories appeared in the paper.

No
1 New Delhi AFP Musharraf, joins MS N P
156
Singh, Sonia at Delhi

stadium
2 New Delhi Unknown Majority of Kashmiris MS C SN
want independence:
poll
3 New Delhi Unknown Islamabad, Delhi OS N SP
sideline Iran pipeline
issue in talks
4 New Delhi Reuters Accord to revive OS P P
business council
5 Ahmedabad AFP Over 150 fishermen OS P P
released
6 New Delhi AFP India offers new talks OS P P
on Baglihar
7 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi India to consider AS P P
Valley troops cut:
Musharraf satisfied
with talks
8 Lahore Reporter Justice basic OS P P
condition: Tarar:
Friendship with India
AFP reported that Musharraf joined Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi
in a bullet-proof glass enclosure to catch the opening overs of the last one-day match
between Pakistan and India at Ferozeshah Kotla ground. The paper said that according to
the poll conducted by Synovate India, a market research agency, majority 53.9 per cent of
the respondents in Kashmir areas of Srinagar and Rajouri chose for independence when
asked in the survey to choose between staying with India or going to Pakistan or
becoming an independent country. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told a news
conference that the Iran gas pipeline issue was discussed by the two sides. Reuters
reported that the two countries had “positive and businesslike” talks, agreeing to boost
trade and transport links to bolster the peace process.
Shyam Saran said the two sides had agreed to revive a joint business council to boost
economic links. AFP reported that India released 156 Pakistan fishermen jailed in
Gujarat. AFP also reported that India said it was open to a new round of talks to resolve
the differences with Pakistan over the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Kashmir.
Separately, India promised to consider the troops reduction in Kashmir to improve ties
157
with Pakistan. The paper quoted official sources that Musharraf and Manmohan met for
20 minutes with delegations and then went into a one-to-one session that lasted more than
two hours, thereby delaying a lunch that President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was to host for
Musharraf. Pakistan ex-President Rafiq Tarar welcomed the Pakistan-India friendship
and called for basing it on principles of justice and fairness.
April 19
The coverage period ended with seven stories as Musharraf completed his visit.

No
1 New Delhi Agencies Tensions can erupt OS C N
again: president
2 New Delhi Agencies Singh says Baglihar OS P P
design can be changed
3 New Delhi Habib Khan Visit ‘beyond OS P P
Ghori expectations’:
Musharraf
4 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Peace process OS P EP
‘irreversible’:
Pakistan, India to
work for Kashmir
issue settlement: joint
statement
5 United Unknown Annan hails statement OS P P
Nations
6 Faisalabad APP Sikhs visit birthplaces MS P SP
7 New Delhi Special Advani sees progress OS P P
Corresp. in peace process
President Musharraf asked India’s senior editors to press New Delhi to work for a
genuine resolution of the Kashmir dispute. “If you brush issues under the carpet it doesn’t
work,” Musharraf said at a breakfast interaction with the Indian Editors’ Guild. Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh assured a group of visiting Pakistani editors that the design of
the controversial Baglihar hydroelectric project could be changed. “Nothing will be done
which violates the Indus Water Basin Treaty in letter and spirit,” he said. Musharraf
declared that his visit was ‘very successful’. Talking to Pakistani journalists who
158
accompanied him, he said that in his meetings with the Indian leaders, all issues between
the two countries, including Kashmir, Baglihar dam, bus service and trade and commerce
were discussed in the spirit of sincerity and flexibility.160
A joint statement read out by Manmohan Singh with Pervez Musharraf said it was their
considered assessment that the peace process had become irreversible. They agreed to re-
establish the Khokhrapar-Munnabao and to re-open the consulates in Mumbai and
Karachi. Separately, the paper reported that the UN Secretary-General welcomed the
joint declaration that “the dialogue had become ‘irreversible’”. APP reported that a group
of 40 Sikhs from India visited Faisalabad to refresh memories of their pre-partition
homes and localities in Lyallpur. In another story, the paper reported that opposition
leader LK Advani expressed satisfaction over the talks.
July 9
The coverage period for the final review of the composite dialogue is from July 9-13.
Dawn’s coverage continues and the paper carried only two stories on July 9.

No
1 Islamabad Report ANP leaders leave for OS N SP
India tomorrow
2 Islamabad Agencies Five die in Kashmir MS C N
shrine attack
The paper reported that a six-member team of the Awami National Party (ANP) led by its
President Asfandyar Wali Khan will visit India. It also carried a new item that five people
were killed in Occupied Kashmir in an attack by militants.
July 10
Like the previous day, only two stories were published.
160
“Visit ‘beyond expectations’: Musharraf,” Dawn, April 19, 2005.
159

No
1 Islamabad Report FO says no OS C SN
information about
Indian plan for troops
in Afghanistan
2 Bhubaneshwar Report Long-range Indian AS C SN
missile hits snag
Foreign office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan has no information about a
reported proposal for deployment of Indian troops in Afghanistan under the coalition
command. AFP reported that India test-fired its longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic
missile Agni- III for the first time which failed to hit its target.
July 11
Only one story was published on the day of attack on the Mumbai trains.
Table 3.96: Dawn Coverage on July11

No
1 New Delhi AFP India shrugs off OS N SN
missile failure
AFP report said that Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee shrugged off the
unsuccessful maiden missile test by saying that the problem faced by Agni was not
unusual and there is nothing to worry about it.
July 12
Four stories were carried by the paper one day after the trains’ bombing.

No
1 Mumbai Report Terror bombs cause MS C EN
mayhem on
Mumbai’s lifeline
160
2 Washington Reuters Kasuri says blasts OS C N

show need for talks
3 New Delhi Jawed Singh vows to defeat OS C N
Naqvi forces of terrorism
4 Islamabad AP A despicable act: OS P SP
president and PM
The paper reported that bombs ripped through seven packed commuter trains and stations
during the rush hour in Mumbai, killing at least 163 passengers and injuring about 600.
Reuters reported that the terrorist attack in Mumbai shows Pakistan and India should
address their outstanding issues. Jawed Naqvi reported Manmohan Singh condemned the
attack, saying his government had been sworn in to “defeat forces of terrorism”. AP
reported that President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz condemned
bombings on the commuter trains as a “despicable act of terrorism.”
July 13
It was next day to the bombing and number of stories related to India increased to six.

No
1 Karachi Report Terrorism in Mumbai MS P SP
condemned
2 Islamabad Report Mumbai blasts OS P SP
condemned
3 Mumbai Reuters Muslims give blood MS P P
for Hindu victims
4 Washington Anwar Iqbal ‘Pakistan ready for OS C N
bilateral N-freeze’
5 Islamabad Report Kasuri did not link OS C SN
blasts to Kashmir
dispute: FO
6 Mumbai AP India sees Lashkar OS C EN
behind blasts
The paper reported that Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) condemned the series of bomb
blasts in Mumbai. Reuters reported that Indian Muslims gave blood to their Hindu
neighbours wounded in the Mumbai train bombings, in a rare show of harmony between
the two communities. Dawn correspondent in Washington wrote that Foreign Minister
161
Khurshid Kasuri told a select gathering at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
that if India agrees to reduce its nuclear stockpiles, Pakistan will follow. FO said that
Kasuri in remarks on the Mumbai bomb blasts did not link them with the Kashmir issue.
AP reported India said that Mumbai attack was carried out by the LeT.161
3.7.2- The Nation
The Nation as second newspaper covers the launch of composite dialogue period from 3
to 7 January 2004.
January 3
The paper carried six stories about the ties with India.
Table 3.99: The Nation Coverage on January 3

No
1 Rawalpindi Raja Assad Vajpayee due today MS P P
Hameed amid tight security
2 Islamabad Absar Alam Mishar-diplomacy MS N SP
and diplomats
3 Islamabad Dilshad JUI-F contacts India AS P SP
Azeem HC to fete Vajpayee
4 Islamabad Staff Kashmir parties not MS N SN
Reporter asked to close offices
in capital
5 Islamabad Afzal Bajwa Summit to be a OS P P
success: Sinha
6 Rawalpindi NNI Vajpayee will have to OS C SN
meet Musharraf, says
Sheikh Rashid
The paper published a key story on the front page that Prime Minister Vajpayee was due
to arrive in Pakistan to attend the SAARC Summit. Absar Alam delved into the
diplomacy of Birjesh Mishra who was Vajpayee’s point man and met with the “people”
in Rawalpindi as sign of developments in the ties. Dilsahd Azeem wrote that JUI-F had
approached the Indian High Commission to arrange a reception for the Indian Prime
161
“India sees Lashkar behind blasts,” Dawn, July 13, 2006.
162
Minister. Two interesting stories were published on the back page. The paper reported
that Kashmiri parties were not asked to close offices in Islamabad and Yashwant Sinha
said that the SAARC Summit will be a success. NNI reported that Information Minister
Sheikh Rashid said Vajpayee will have to meet Musharraf otherwise the entire summit
will be a failure.
January 4
Another six stories were published on the day.

No
1 Islamabad Shaiq SAARC summit open MS P P
Hussain today
2 Islamabad Agencies Vajpayee ready for OS P P
Kashmir talks with
Musharraf
3 Rawalpindi Absar Alam The ego has landed MS C SN
4 Islamabad Dilshad JUI awaits Indian HC AS N SN
Azeem response to fete
Vajpayee
5 Islamabad Staff FMs discuss AS N SP
Reporter Vajpayee’s meetings
with Pak leaders
6 Islamabad Staff Vajpayee comes with AS C SN
Reporter ‘Black Cats’
The lead was about the SAARC Summit being held in Islamabad. The second lead was
about Vajpayee who had landed a day before in Pakistan. He was quoted as saying that
India was ready to discuss Kashmir. Absar Alam reported that the Indian leader after
wasting five years since 1999 had finally come to Pakistan. There was a report that JUI-F
was still waiting for a response from the Indian officials about its invitation to hold a
reception for Vajpayee. Separately, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India discussed
meetings of Vajpayee with Pakistan leaders. Also, the paper published an interesting
report that Indian PM brought his limousine and 25 commandoes known as ‘Black Cats’.
163
January 5
The coverage increased to eight stories.

No
1 Islamabad Absar Alam Musharraf-Vajpayee OS P EP
meeting today
2 Islamabad Staff Retreat at PM House MS P SP
Reporter today
3 Islamabad Shaiq SAARC leaders focus MS P P
Hussain on terror, poverty
4 Islamabad Javed Rana No new inclusion in OS N SN
SAARC: FO
5 Rawalpindi Abrar Saeed Pak-India CBMs be MS C SN
started from Kashmir
6 Islamabad Staff Pak opposition MS P P
Reporter leaders meet
Vajpayee
7 Islamabad APP Rashid hopeful of OS P SP
Pak-India talks
8 Lahore PPI Samjhota Express OS P P
resumes today
Absar Alam reported about the upcoming meeting between Vajpayee and Musharraf. The
paper reported about a retreat for the leaders of SAARC at the PM House, while the
leaders during the summit discussed how to combat terrorism and poverty. Javed Rana
reported that Sinha and Kasuri had discussed the agenda for the meeting of leaders as
Pakistan rejected the idea of inclusion of any new country into the SAARC.
The paper on the back page carried some major stories. It reported that leaders from the
two sides of Kashmir demanded that the CBMs should start from Kashmir and the
massacre of the people of Kashmir should be stopped. Pakistan opposition leaders from
Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy met Vajpayee while Information Minister
Sheikh Rashid said that the composite dialogue between the two countries will start soon.
There was another important story that the Samjhota express train started between the
two countries. Earlier, the road and air links were restored.
164
January 6
As Vajpayee settled in Islamabad and held preliminary talks, the coverage increased.

No
1 Islamabad Javed Rana Musharraf, Vajpayee OS P EP
for more CBMs
2 Islamabad APP Talks should OS P P
continue: Vajpayee
3 Islamabad Shaiq Pakistan, India urged MS N P
Hussain to resolve bilateral
issues
4 Islamabad Absar Alam What are new MS C SN
question?
5 Lahore APP Saarc terror talks OS C N
target Kashmiris, says
Qazi
6 Islamabad APP Sheikh Rashid says OS P P
joint declaration soon
7 Islamabad Staff Indo-Pak leaders OS P P
Reporter meeting a good omen:
Fahim
8 New Delhi AFP Pakistani baby gets OS N P
gift of vision
9 Muzaffarabad Roshan Kashmiris protest MS C N
Mughal self-determination
right denial
10 Islamabad APP Gujral greets OS P P
Vajpayee, Musharraf
for a new start
11 Islamabad Arif & Pak-India peace MS N SP
Lamia Zia process overshadow
summit
The headline on front page was about the meeting between Musharraf and Vajpayee.
They agreed on more CBMs.162 Leader from the SAARC nations asked the two countries
to resolve their differences, while Vajpayee said that more talks were needed. Absar
Alam criticised Vajpayee for saying that there were new questions in ties which needed
162
Javed Rana, “Musharraf, Vajpayee for more CBMs,” The Nation, January 6, 2004.
165
answers. Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad criticised the SAARC anti-terror
talks which he said aimed at Kashmir. Sheikh Rashid said soon a joint declaration will be
issued. Opposition leader Amin Fahim welcomed the meeting of leaders of Pakistan and
India.
AFP reported a rarely good story that a 15-month Pakistani boy got vision due to the
transplant of vital parts from a deceased Indian woman. Separately, the Kashmiris
protested for denial of the right of self-determination. Former Indian premier I.K. Gujral
welcomed the meeting of Pak-India leaders. The paper also reported that Pak-India peace
parleys overshadowed the summit.
January 7
The last day of coverage saw seven stories in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad Staff Report Talks from February OS P EP
2 Islamabad Javed Rana India, Pakistan to fight OS P P
terrorism together
3 Islamabad Absar Alam From Lahore to MS P P
Islamabad
4 Islamabad Dilshad MMA terms joint OS C N
Azeem statement
disappointing
5 Islamabad Staff Repot Vajpayee, 2 others MS N SP
leaders leave for home
6 Islamabad Staff Report Shujaat, Saifullah hail OS P P
talk resumption
7 Islamabad Afzal Bajwa India still averse to AS C SN
gas pipeline via
Pakistan
There was the news on the front page as lead that Pakistan and India agreed to launch
peace process. Musharraf termed it as epoch making. 163 The two sides were happy at the
progress and India hinted to fight terrorism together with Pakistan. “There is certainly
163
“Talks from February,” The Nation, January 7, 2004.
166
likelihood to fight terrorism together,” said national security advisor Brajesh Mishra.164
Absar Alam wrote about the journey from Lahore to Islamabad, saying that India will sell
it at the election campaign. Opposition MMA rejected the joint statement while the
SAARC leaders started leaving. Local politicians Shujaat Hussain and Salim Saifullah
welcomed the start of talks. Afzal Bajwa quoted sources that India was not ready for gas
pipeline passing through Pakistan due to the security reasons.
3.7.3- The Frontier Post
The paper covers the mid-term review as the second newspaper. The coverage period is
from April 15 to 19, 2005.
April 15
The paper had only two stories.
Table 3.104: The Frontier Post Coverage on April 15

No
1 New Delhi Online India urges Pakistan OS N SP
not to impose deadline
over Kashmir impasse
2 Islamabad FP Report Musharraf to watch MS P P
cricket with
Manmohan, Vajpayee
Foreign minister Natwar Singh urged Pakistan that it should not insist on a timeframe to
solve a complex issue like Kashmir. The paper reported that Musharraf will watch a
cricket match with Indian leaders during his visit starting on April 16.
April 16
Only one story was published on the day. Foreign Office spokesman said that Musharraf
during his visit to India will focus on all important issues of concern.
164
Javed Rana, “India, Pakistan to fight terrorism together,” The Nation, February 7, 2004.
167

No
1 Islamabad FP Report Musharraf visit to OS C SN
focus on vital issues:
FO
April 17
Musharraf had arrived in India and also met Manmohan but the coverage was still mute.

No
1 New Delhi APP Musharraf, Singh vow OS P P
to move on peace path
2 Washington INP US impressed with OS N P
peace moves: Rice
3 Chennai Inp India test-fire OS C SN
Brahmos for tenth
time
The paper reported that Musharraf and Manmohan Singh vowed to bring peace as they
met at a banquet. Musharraf also called for resolution of the Kashmir issue.165 Foreign
Secretary Condoleezza Rice said US appreciates what Pakistan and India achieved
through their peace efforts. It was also reported that India had tested Brahmos missile for
the tenth time.
April 18
The paper increased the number of stories to seven as there were major developments.

No
1 New Delhi APP Pak-India warm to OS P P
new land links
2 New Delhi Online Manmohan ruled out OS C SN
redrawing of Indian
165
“Musharraf, Singh vow to move on peace path,” The Frontier Post, April 17, 2005.
168
map
3 New Delhi Online Musharraf, Kalam MS P P
discuss peace process
4 New Delhi Online Musharraf to meet MS N SP
Vajpayee
5 New Delhi Online ‘Pakistan not leave OS C SN
Kashmiris in
isolation’
6 New Delhi Inp Sonia accepts OS P P
invitation to visit
Pakistan
7 Islamabad Saqlain Pak-India friendship MS P P
Mehdi responding to positive
signals
The paper reported that Musharraf was satisfied with his talks with the Indian leaders
where he discussed all issues including Kashmir and a proposal to open up new links like
the Monabao-Khokrpar rail. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran giving details of the meeting
quoted Manmohan Singh that Kashmir was an issue and India was ready to talks on it but
there will not be any redrawing of the boundaries.166 Musharraf also met President Abdul
Kalam and discussed the peace process. It was reported that Musharraf was also planning
to meet Vajpayee. He met with APHC and said that Pakistan will not leave the people of
Kashmir. There was a story that Sonia Gandhi met Musharraf and accepted an invitation
to visit Pakistan. The paper also carried an analytical story that the relations between
Pakistan and India were improving.
April 19
Five stories were published on the last day of the coverage period.

No
1 New Delhi APP Pakistan, India say OS P EP
peace irreversible OS
2 New Delhi Online Kashmir cannot be OS N SN
resolved in one say,
says Manmohan
166
“Manmohan rules out redrawing of Indian map,” The Frontier Post, April 18, 2005.
169
3 Karachi APP 156 fishermen arrive MS P P

today
4 New Delhi APP President: Time for OS P SP
Kashmir resolution
5 Lahore APP Govt committed to OS P SP
fruitful talks with
India: Khusro
There was front page lead based on a joint press conference by Musharraf and
Manmohan. They expressed satisfaction at the peace process and termed it irreversible.167
Manmohan told a group of Indian editors at his residence that a step-by-step approach
will help move forward on Kashmir. APP reported that 156 fishermen were released by
India as a goodwill gesture. APP in another report said that Musharraf told the journalists
and writers in New Delhi that it was time to address Kashmir. Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar said Pakistan was committed for the resolution of all
outstanding issues with India through the talks.
3.7.4- Daily Times
The final review has been studied through the Daily Times. The period of coverage is
from July 9 to 13, 2006.
July 9
There was just one story about India in the paper.
Table 3.109: Daily Times Coverage on July 9

No
1 New Delhi Iftikhar US-India nuclear deal: OS N SN
Gilani IAEA hopes for early
safeguards pact with
India
Iftikhar Gilani reported that the head of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
delegation visiting Delhi and said agreement with India on the safeguards for the civil
nuclear facilities would be concluded soon.
167
“Pakistan, India say peace irreversible,” The Frontier Post, April 19, 2005.
170
July 10
The paper published only one story about India.

No
1 Islamabad Staff Report ANP delegation MS P SP
leaves for India
The paper reported that a delegation of six members of Awami National Party headed by
Asfandyar Wali left for India on the invitation of the Indian government.
July 11
There was a story about the IPI price issue.

No
1 Islamabad Fida Hussain 'IPI gas pricing issue OS N SP
to be resolved in July'
Fida Hussain reported that Iran told Pakistan and India that it was ready for resolving the
price of Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline.
July 12
Two stories were published one day after the attack.

No
1 Islamabad Staff Report Pakistan condemns OS P P
blasts, attacks
2 Srinagar AFP 7 tourists killed in OS C N
held Kashmir
171
Indian financial hub Mumbai was rocked by bombings and Pakistan Foreign Office in a
statement condemned the act of terrorism.168 AFP reported that seven tourists were killed
in the held Kashmir.
July 13
The paper did not publish any story about India.
3.8- Electronic Media and Composite Dialogue
The composite dialogue was an exception in the conflict-ridden history of Pakistan and
India, as the two sides had agreed for a broad approach to explore the possibility of
peace. (As mentioned above, this section is based on the interviews with three Pakistani
journalists).
M. Ziauddin highlighted an important aspect of the process. He said the composite

dialogue was success for Pakistan Foreign Office because India did not want to have a
dialogue solely focused on Kashmir. Pakistan gave the formula of a composite dialogue
which was accepted by India. Since it came from the “top”, the media was ecstatic about
it and fully supported it. He said that media took a favorable view of the meetings and
interactions and supported it. The media also tried to sell it as an initiative based on
Pakistan’s view of Kashmir.169
Rahimullah Yusufzai said that composite dialogue was an important stage in the history
of Pak-India relations as it created a lot of goodwill which was also reflected in the
media. “That (launch of composite dialogue) was good news as far as Pakistan was
concerned.”170 He said Pakistan was seeking dialogue but the Indians were not
forthcoming because of the Kargil War. The Indian position was strengthened after
Kargil incident as Pakistan was “branded” as an aggressor. Under such circumstances, it
was an achievement that the dialogue was agreed and started, he said. The media was
very positive about it. “It was very positive and since we do not have many positives in
168
“Pakistan condemns blasts, attack,” Daily Times, July 12, 2006.
169
170
172
relations between India and Pakistan, so even a small movement is celebrated. There was
a sigh of relief that they (Pakistan-India) have started composite dialogue,” he said. There
were articles about positive impact of peace. “Pakistan media portrayed it as an
achievement. They were talking about the benefit of peace with India,” said Yusufzai.
Javed Siddiq like the other two experts appreciated the role of media at the launch of the
composite dialogue. He said that media in Pakistan, by and large, favoured the process of
the composite dialogue as it thought that the tension would come down and normalcy
return in relation. “Most of media was talking about the importance of stability in the
region so that there should be economic progress. It was the main angle taken by the
media in Pakistan,” he said.171 The coverage was positive as media was touched by the
bilateral desire for the peace but things changed after Mumbai attacks, he concluded.
3.9- Print Media and Mumbai Attack
The Mumbai terror attack was a watershed in the history of Pakistan and India. Dawn and
The News have been used to see the coverage of the incident in the Pakistani media.
3.9.1- Dawn
First, the coverage by Dawn is presented and the coverage period is from Nov 19 to Dec
3, 2008.
Nov 19
There were two relevant stories in the paper.
Table 3.113: Dawn Coverage on November 19

No
1 Srinagar Report Four militants killed AS C N
2 Srinagar Reuters ‘Good election turnout MS N SP
does not undermine
Kashmiri movement’
171
Siddiq, interview.
173
The paper reported from Srinagar that the Indian troops killed four suspected militants.
Reuters said that the good turnout in the first phase of election in Kashmir may not
undermine the freedom movement in Kashmir.
November 20
Only two relevant stories appeared in the paper.

No
1 Dadu Report Indian writers urge OS P SP
soft visa policy
2 New Delhi PTI Terror probe may OS C SN
harm talks with
Pakistan: BJP
The paper reported from Dadu district of Sindh that the visiting Indian intellectuals urged
liberal visa policies. There was a PTI report that BJP criticised the ruling Congress and
also said that Pakistan’s links with terror will harm the peace process.
November 21
There was not a single relevant story in the paper.
November 22
The paper carried three stories.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi India assails FO’s OS C N
Kashmir comments
2 New Delhi Agencies 47,000 died in OS C EN
Kashmir, says Delhi
3 New Delhi Report Pakistan ready for OS P EP
nuclear no first use
offer: Zardari
174
Jawed Naqvi reported that India reacted angrily to the comments by FO that elections in
the occupied Kashmir were not an authentic expression of the aspirations of the people.
The paper carried a report by various news agencies that according to the official Indian
data, over two-decade old conflict in Kashmir killed 47,000 people and injured over
20,000.172 President Asif Ali Zardari made a video link address to a conference in India
and said Pakistan was ready for no first use of nuclear weapons.173
November 23
There were just two news item and both were positive for Indo-Pak ties.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Zardari suggests OS P P
Naqvi accord to avoid
nuclear conflict in S.
Asia
2 Islamabad APP APHC hails Zardari’s OS P P
comments on Kashmir
Jawed Naqvi reported that Zardari addressing a videoconference hosted by The

Hindustan Times suggested a mutual agreement with India to avoid use of nuclear
weapons. APP reported that APHC Chairman Umer Farooq welcomed the Kashmir-
specific comments of Zardari.
November 24
Four stories found way to the pages of the paper.

No
1 Multan APP Govt keen to improve OS P P
ties with India: FM
2 Ganderbal Agencies No election, no MS C N
172
“47,000 died in Kashmir, says Delhi,” Dawn, November 22, 2008.
173
“Pakistan ready for nuclear no first use, Zardari,” Dawn, November 22, 2008.
175
(Occupied selection — we want

Kashmir) freedom, say
Kashmiris
3 Lahore Report Indian team due on OS N SP
29th
4 Islamabad APP Pakistan to free 101 MS P P
Indian prisoners
APP reported that FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan wanted to improve ties with
India. There was a report based on dispatches by the agencies that riots broke in the
occupied Kashmir as police tried to control the protestors demanding freedom. The paper
also reported that an Indian team of water experts was to visit Pakistan on November 29.
APP reported that Pakistan decided to free 101 Indian prisoners including 99 fishermen.
November 25
No story related to India was published.
November 26
On the day of deadly attack in Mumbai, there were just two stories about India.

No
1 Karachi Report KARACHI: 99 Indian OS P P
fishermen released
2 Islamabad Syed Irfan Accord with India to OS P SP
Raza fight terror together
The paper said that Pakistan has released 99 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture. Syed
Irfan Raza reported that Pakistan and India discussed the cooperation to control cross-
border terrorism, illegal immigration and to liberalise the visa system under a joint anti-
terrorism mechanism.
November 27
A day after the attack, the coverage was still low to just three stories.
176

No
1 Mumbai Agencies Mayhem in Mumbai: MS C EN
Terrorist attacks
claim at least 80 lives;
hundreds taken
hostage
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Peace linked to OS C N
Kashmir, says France:
Qureshi, Mukherjee
meet
3 Islamabad Syed Irfan Indian request to AS C N
Raza release Sarabjeet
turned down
The paper reported the mayhem in Mumbai which killed dozens of people. Pakistan was
not blamed on the first day but the incident dealt a blow to the peace process. Jawed
Naqvi reported that the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan held wide-ranging talks,
amidst international hopes that the resolution of Kashmir will have good impact on the
situation in Afghanistan. Syed Irfan Raza reported that Pakistan rejected a request for the
release of the alleged Indian spy and death row prisoner Sarabjeet Singh, convicted for
blasts in Lahore in 1990.
November 28
Again three stories were published.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed NaqviTerror attacks test MS N SN
peace agenda
2 Islamabad Syed Irfan Zardari calls it a OS N SP
Raza detestable act
3 Mumbai Agencies India facing threat of MS C N
home-grown
militancy?
177
Jawed Naqvi reported that Manmohan Singh issued a veiled threat that if Pakistan-based
groups were involved in the attack, then the relations will be back to square one.
President Zardari termed the attack as detestable while PM Gilani condemned it.
Separately, the attacks were claimed by a previously unknown group the ‘Deccan
Mujahideen’ in an email to the news organisations.
November 29
The coverage was stuck at three stories.

No
1 New Delhi Reuters What after Mumbai MS C N
mayhem
2 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi Clues nudge India to MS N SP
look beyond Pakistan
3 Islamabad Syed Irfan Govt accepts India’s AS P P
Raza plea for ISI help in
Mumbai probe
Reuters wrote a detailed story about the aftermath of the Mumbai incident and said the
trust between the two countries will suffer. Jawed Naqvi reported that there were clues
that the attack had links to India’s Middle East policy, as a Brooklyn rabbi and his wife
were among the dead. He also mentioned the news conference by Shah Mahmood
Qureshi that there was no terror training camp in Pakistan. The paper also reported that
Pakistan will send the chief of ISI agency to help in the probe of the attacks.174
November 30
There were two stories about the Mumbai attack.

No
1 Muzaffarabad Reuters UJC terms Mumbai OS N SP
slaughter
174
Syed Irfan Raza, “Govt accepts India’s plea for ISI help in Mumbai probe,” Dawn, November 29, 2008.
178
reprehensible
2 Islamabad Report Mumbai fallout tests MS N SN
govt-military ties
Syed Salahuddin of United Jihad Council called the slaughter of civilians in Mumbai
‘reprehensible’ and denied that any member of his alliance was involved. The paper also
reported that Mumbai attack will be a test case of relations between army and civilian
government in Pakistan, as the government wanted to send the ISI chief to India which
will be opposed by the powerful military.
December 1
The coverage remained low to five stories.

No
1 New York Masood Can US stop an Indian MS C N
Haider attack on Pakistan?
2 New Delhi APP Pakistan should not be MS P P
linked to bloodbath,
says Abdullah
3 Lahore Report Bullying by India OS C N
undiplomatic: Fazl
4 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi India sending top OS C N
official to US: Home
minister quits over
carnage
5 Mumbai AP Gunmen spoke Hindi AS C N
with strong Punjabi,
north-Indian accent
Masood Haider reported from the US that New York Times reported that unlike in 2002,
US may not prevail upon India from a military response against Pakistan. APP reported
that Indian leader Farooq Abdullah asked his government to stop blaming Pakistan for
the Mumbai attacks. Chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazlur Rehman told reporters in
Lahore that the Indian attitude was un-diplomatic as it had no right to summon any
official of Pakistan. He was referring to reports that Pakistan was sending the ISI chief to
India. Jawed Naqvi reported that Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned for the
179
failure to stop the attacks in Mumbai, while India was sending Foreign Secretary
Shivshankar Menon to US for putting pressure on Pakistan. AP reported that gunmen
who attacked Mumbai spoke Hindi with Punjabi accent.
December 2
Five stories were carried by the paper.

No
1 New Delhi Jawed Naqvi India toughens stand, MS C EN
calls for strong action
2 Mumbai Agencies Attackers trained in AS C EN
Pakistan, alleges India
3 Islamabad Report Pakistan, India asked OS N SP
to desist from blame
game
4 Islamabad Syed Irfan Zardari offers India OS N SP
Raza unconditional help
Jawed Naqvi reported that Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik was called to the
Indian foreign ministry and told that the Mumbai attack was carried out by the elements
from Pakistan. India was also demanding extradition of men like Masood Azhar and
Dawood Ibrahim. Agencies reported that India concluded that the militants involved in
the Mumbai attack had received training in Pakistan.175 A Pakistani minister, Raza
Rabbani, urged India not to let the militants derail the peace efforts. According to a report
by Syed Irfan Raza, President Zardari said he will provide unconditional cooperation in
probing the Mumbai carnage, as New Delhi blamed Pakistan-based elements for the
mayhem.
December 3
Six stories were carried on the day, which was the last day for the coverage of the
Mumbai attacks.
175
“Attackers trained in Pakistan, alleges India,” Dawn, December 2, 2008.
180

No
1 Islamabad Syed Irfan Nothing new in AS C N
Raza India’s list of wanted
persons: Pakistan
seeks credible
evidence
2 Washington Anwar Iqbal US urges Pakistan to OS N SP
cooperate with India
3 Islamabad Baqir Sajjad Pakistan proposes OS C N
Syed joint probe
4 New Delhi Reuters Military action not MS P EP
being considered,
says Mukherjee
5 Washington AFP No military moves on AS N P
border: US
6 Hong Kong AFP Gilani seeks Mumbai OS C N
evidence
The paper had a report by Irfan Raza that an official of the Interior Ministry rejected a list
of wanted men by India as it carried the same names which India had given several years
earlier. Anwar Iqbal reported from Washington that US asked Pakistan to cooperate with
India as Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon arrived there to seek support. Baqir Sajjad
Syed reported that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi briefed the foreign
diplomats a day before US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began her visit to the
region and proposed a joint probe to investigate the attacks. Separately, India, Foreign
Minister told NDTV that they were not considering any military action against Pakistan.
AFP reported a US official saying that both India and Pakistan had not made any overt
military move. In a report from Hong Kong, AFP reported that Prime Minister Gilani said
in an interview with the CNN that India should provide evidence about the involvement
of Pakistan in the attack.
3.9.2- The News
The News has been used as second newspaper and its 15-day coverage from Nov 26- Dec
3 in 2008 is given below.
181
November 19
Only one story was published by The News.
Table 3.126: The News Coverage on November 19

No
1 Islamabad Report Indo-Pak secretaries AS P P
to meet on 25th
The paper reported that a meeting of the interior secretaries of Pakistan and India will be
held on November 25 in Islamabad.
November 20
The paper published three stories.

No
1 Islamabad APP India taking keen AS N SP
interest in Benazir
Income Support
Programme: Tarzana
Raja
2 Islamabad Mariana Will India share AS C N
Baabar information on
Samjhota train blast
now?
3 New Delhi Report India must prosecute OS N SN
cops for torturing
Muslims: HRW
Mariana Baabar reported that Pakistan was planning to raise the issue of Lieutenant
Colonel Prasad Prohit with visiting Indian Home Secretary. Prohit was reportedly
involved in the attack at the Samjhota train. Chairperson of Benazir Income Support
Programme (BISP) Farzana Raja was reported saying that India had taken keen interest in
the programme. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement that India must punish
the officials involved in torturing the Muslims.
182
November 21
There was no story about India in the paper.
November 22
The coverage was limited to three stories.

No
1 Islamabad Qudssia Crucial Pak-India AS P P
Akhlaque talks on 26th in New
Delhi
2 Srinagar Report India puts Kashmir OS C SN
toll at 47,000
3 Islamabad Qudssia Zardari may still write AS C SN
Akhlaque to Manmohan on
Chenab water
Qudssia Akhlaque reported that Shah Mahmood Qureshi will travel to India and hold a
crucial meeting with Parnab Mukherjee on March 26. The paper reported that Kashmir
Chief Secretary S S Kapur said in a statement that more than 47,000 people died and over
20,000 injured in nearly two decades of the insurgency in Kashmir. There was a report
that Zardari delayed a decision to write to Manmohan Singh about the promise which the
Indian leader made in a meeting with Zardari to settle the Chenab water dispute.
November 23
Two stories were published in the paper.

No
1 New Delhi Report Pakistan ready for no OS P EP
first use of nukes:
Zardari
2 Islamabad Muhammad It is surrender MS C N
Saleh Zaafir without battle!
183
The paper reported about an address of Zardari through a video link to a conference that
Pakistan was willing to commit no first use of the nuclear weapons.176 Saleh Zaafir
reported what Zardari said on the key issues with India was like a surrender without fight.
November 24
Two news stories were carried by the paper.

No
1 Lahore Correspondent ‘India to make OS C EN
Pakistan barren by
2014’
2 New Delhi Report US to support Indo- OS N SP
Pak talks to resolve
Kashmir issue:
Obama aide
The paper reported Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah saying that India was
blocking water to Pakistan which would turn it into a barren land by 2014. Karl
Inderfurth, aide to president-elect Barack Obama, told Karan Thapar of CNN-IBN that
the US will support Pak-India talks to resolve Kashmir.
November 25
The paper did not publish any story about India-Pakistan ties.
November 26
On the day of attack, there were just three relevant stories.

No
1 Islamabad Mobarik Pakistan asks India to AS C N
Virk stop blame game
2 New Delhi Report Qureshi meets Indian OS P P
176
“Pakistan ready for no first use of nukes: Zardari,” The News, November 23, 2008.
184
counterpart today
3 Islamabad Abrar Pak group hacks MS C SN
Mustafa Indian sites
Mubarik Virk reported that Pakistan had asked India to avid blaming it before proper
investigation. The home secretaries of the two countries met in Islamabad as part of the
composite dialogue. FM Qureshi was in India and the paper said he was meeting
counterpart Parnab Mukherjee. Abrar Mustafa reported that a Pakistani group hacked five
Indian websites.
November 27
The paper published three relevant stories a day after the Mumbai attack.

No
1 Mumbai Reports/ 80 dead in Mumbai’s MS C EN
Agencies night of terror
2 New Delhi Report Islamabad wants OS C N
meaningful talks on
Kashmir
3 Rawalpindi Report Indian home secretary OS N SP
meets Rehman Malik
The main story was about the Mumbai terror attack which killed at least 80 people. Shah
Mahmood Qureshi reportedly said at a news conference after the talks with Mukherjee
that Pakistan looked for a meaningful dialogue to solve Kashmir. Indian Home Secretary
Mukhukar Gupta met Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik and discussed about the 5th
round of secretary-level talks under the Composite Dialogue.
November 28
Six stories were published, showing Pakistan media interest in the Mumbai attack.

No
185
1 Mumbai Reports/ Mumbai death toll MS C EN

Agencies rises to 125 ; India
blames neighbours
2 Islamabad Farrukh Who’s behind MS C N
Saleem Mumbai attacks?
3 Mumbai PTI Indian security forces AS C EN
arrest ‘Pakistani
militant’ in Mumbai:
report
4 Islamabad Reuters Lashkar-i-Taiba OS N SN
denies role
5 Chandigarh Report Pakistan ready to OS N SP
cooperate with India
at all levels: FM
6 Islamabad Report Qureshi meets OS N SP
Manmohan today
The death toll in the Mumbai attacks had gone up to 125 and Manmohan Singh blamed
Pakistan without naming it.177 Farrukh Saleem tried to prove that India failed to stop
militancy and it may be home-grown elements who wreaked the havoc in Mumbai. The
paper carried a PTI report that India arrested three militants including a Pakistani
involved in the attack. He was identified as Ajmal Kasab, resident of Faridkot. It was also
reported that the attackers were part of LeT. Reuters reported that LeT had denied reports
about its involvement. Qureshi who was in India on a four-day visit condemned the
attack and offered cooperation. There was a report from Pakistan that Qureshi will meet
Manmohan.
November 29
The coverage increased to nine stories.

No
1 Islamabad Rauf Klasra ISI to aid Mumbai OS P P
probe
2 Islamabad Report ISI nominee to OS P SP
represent DG
177
“Mumbai death toll rises to 125; India blames neighbours,” The News, November 28, 2008.
186
3 Islamabad Saleh Zaafir RAW chief visited AS P SP

Pakistan last year
4 Islamabad Report Pakistan urged to OS C EN
dismantle ‘terror
infrastructure’
5 Islamabad Qudsia Pak-India talks on Sir AS C N
Akhlaque Creek postponed
again
6 Islamabad Report Pakistan calls for OS C N
avoiding blame game
7 Mirpur Report Collective Indo-Pak OS N SP
strategy must to
combat terrorism:
AJK PM
8 Washington Report Pakistan, India need OS P SP
to work together
against terrorism:
Haqqani
9 Peshawar Report Mumbai mayhem not OS N SP
to derail Indo-Pak
peace process: Bilour
Rauf Klasra reported that Manmohan Singh has asked Pakistan to send the ISI chief to
help in the Mumbai terror probe, as elements in Pakistan were involved in it. Separately,
the paper said that a representative of the ISI chief will go to India to help in the probe.
Saleh Zaafir reported that head of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agency,
Ashok Chatuarvedi, visited Pakistan last year and held discussion with officials. He also
wrote that the ISI chief cannot go to India as he was busy with the war on terror.
Separately, it was reported that India had blamed a Pakistani militants group for the
attacks. “Preliminary evidence, prima facie evidence, indicates elements with links to
Pakistan are involved,” Mukherjee told a news conference.
Qudsia Akhlaque reported that an important next week meeting on Sir Creek was
postponed. In another report, it was said that Pakistan was ready to help India but it was
not happy with the knee-jerk reaction and blame by India. Prime Minister of Azad
Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Atiq Ahmad Khan, told media that Pakistan and India
should have a joint strategy to combat terrorism. Pakistan’s ambassador to the United
States Husain Haqqani in an interview with the CNN urged both Pakistan and India to
187
cooperate to eliminate terrorism. Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said in
Peshawar that the peace process will not be harmed by the Mumbai carnage.
November 30
On the last day of the month, the paper published seven stories.

No
1 Islamabad Reports Pak troops to move AS C EN
to Indian border if
tensions escalate
2 Islamabad Qudsia Rice call prompted AS N SN
Akhlaque hasty decision to
send DG ISI
3 Islamabad Reports Pakistan asks India to OS C N
act sensibly
4 Washington Reports US fears Pakistani AS C N
role in India attacks
5 Islamabad Mumtaz Politicians assure AS C SN
Alvi support to PM
6 Muzaffarabad Report Kashmiri leader OS P P
slams Mumbai
carnage
7 Lahore Report Elahi criticises India OS C SN
for blame game
The paper quoted officials saying that troops will be moved from Afghan to Indian border
if the escalation continued after Mumbai attacks.178 Qudsia Akhlaque reported that US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made telephone call to President Asif Ali Zardari
and asked him to send the ISI chief to New Delhi to help in the probe. Shah Mahmood
Qureshi was reported as saying that border situation was serious and India should try to
reduce the tension.
The paper reported with Washington dateline that a US official said that the attack at
Mumbai was the handiwork of LeT. Mumtaz Alvi reported that PM Gilani talked to
various political leaders about the situation after the Mumbai attack and they offered to
178
“Pak troops to move to Indian border if tensions escalate,” The News, November 30, 2008.
188
support the government. As the situation was tense, Syed Salahuddin of United Jihad
Council, an umbrella organisations banding together around a dozen ethnic Kashmiri
militant groups, condemned the Mumbai attack, calling it “reprehensible”. Pakistan
Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said India
should not level charges against Pakistan.
December 1
Another seven stories were carried by the paper.

No
1 New Delhi/ Reports/ Pakistan, India deny OS P SP
Rawalpindi Agencies troops build-up
2 Islamabad Our Zardari talks to world OS N SP
Corresp. leaders
3 Washington Report US to back India’s OS N SN
hunt for terrorists:
Bush
4 Washington Report Haqqani seeks Indo- OS P SP
Pak efforts against
terrorism
5 Islamabad Farrukh India afraid to admit MS C N
Saleem failure
6 Islamabad Report India should not use OS C SN
Mumbai attacks for
electioneering: PML-
N
7 New Delhi Report Pakistan not involved OS P SP
in attacks: Farooq
Abdullah
Pakistan and India officially denied any military build-up as the tension was still high
after the Mumbai attacks. Pakistan army spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas said they had
not found any unusual military movement by India. The Indian External Affairs Ministry
said India was considering suspending the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, but there
was no directive for the movement of the army. Zardari talked to French President
Nicolas Sarkozy and Afghan President Hamid Karzai as part of effort to take the world
189
into confidence over the tension. US president George Bush said that his country would
help India track down the elements involved in the attack. Pakistan envoy to US Husain
Haqqani said in an interview with the ABC channel that militants involved in the attack
in India were not linked to Pakistan government and he urged India for the collective
effort against terrorism. Farrukh Saleem said India had failed to protect its citizens as it
failed at political and intelligence level to thwart the attack. Pakistan Muslim League-
Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said India should not use attacks for
the elections and focus on the militants working on its soil. In a major development, pro-
Congress, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said that Pakistan was not
involved in the Mumbai attacks.
December 2
There were six stories in the newspaper on this day.

No
1 Washington/ Reports No evidence of Pak OS N SP
London involvement: White
House
2 New Delhi Report India demands strong, OS C EN
swift action
3 Lahore Amir Mir India may target AS C EN
Muridke to avenge
attacks
4 Islamabad Reuters Post-Mumbai attacks AS C N
scenario
5 Islamabad Report ‘Pakistan willing to OS N SP
cooperate with India to
probe Mumbai attacks’
6 Lahore Our Pakistan, India should OS N SP
Corresp. overcome
misunderstandings:
Aitzaz
The United States said that Pakistan was not involved in the Mumbai attacks according to
available evidence and there was no reason to doubt the pledges by Islamabad to help
India in the investigation. Foreign Secretary Rice urged Pakistan to cooperate in the
190
probe. India’s foreign ministry summoned Pakistan’s High Commissioner and lodged an
official protest over the Mumbai attack. Amir Mir reported that India may attack Muridke
headquarters of the Jamaat-ul-Dawah (JuD), headed by chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba Hafiz
Mohammad Saeed, to avenge the Mumbai attacks.
Pakistan called a special meeting of the parliament to discuss post-Mumbai attack

situation and its impact on the security situation. Foreign Minister Qureshi told a private
TV channel that Pakistan was willing to help India in the probe. Respected lawyer and
politician Aitzaz Ahsan said it was time for India and Pakistan to overcome their
misunderstandings instead of going to war.
December 3
The last day was the highest in term of coverage as 13 stories were published.

No
1 Islamabad Asim Yasim Nation unites to OS N N
defend sovereignty
2 New Delhi Report No military action OS P P
against Pakistan:
Mukherjee
3 Islamabad Qudsia Pakistan proposes OS P SP
Akhlaque commission to assist
in probe
4 Washington Reports Pakistan, India AS N SP
nuclear posture
unchanged: US
military
5 Brussels Report US official links AS C EN
Pakistan-based group
to Mumbai attacks
6 Islamabad Mazhar Pakistan not to hand AS C N
Tufail over any terror
suspect to India
7 Washington Report No evidence linking OS N SP
Pakistan to Mumbai
attacks yet: US
8 Lahore Report Scholars urge India to MS P SP
avoid endangering
191
regional peace
9 Islamabad Tariq Butt No tough message AS N SN
sent to Pakistan after
Mumbai attacks
10 Islamabad Asim Yasin Sherry asks Pak-India OS P SP
media to cool down
tempers
11 Washington Report Islamabad will smash MS P SP
any group linked to
Mumbai attacks:
Haqqani
12 Islamabad Mumtaz Former Army chief OS N SP
Alvi rules out Pak-India
war
13 Peshawar Report NWFP minister terms OS N SP
Mumbai terror attack
inhuman act
Pakistan Prime Minister chaired a meeting to discuss the post-Mumbai situation, which
condemned the attack and offered help to India.179 Pranab Mukherjee said India was not
contemplating military action against Pakistan. Qudsia Akhlaque reported that Pakistan
proposed India to set up a join probe commission. The paper quoted a US military official
saying that India and Pakistan were not changing the nuclear posture after the Mumbai
attack. Another US official said that a group based in Pakistan carried out the attack.
Mazhar Tufail reported that Pakistan will not handover any terror-suspect to India. US
State Department said it was too early to say wherefrom the Mumbai attackers came.
The paper reported from Lahore that a group of scholars at a conference urged Pakistan
and India to resolve difference through talks. Tariq Butt reported that Pakistan had not
received any tough message from any country after the Mumbai attack during the
telephonic talks of Gilani and Zardari with world leaders. Asim Yasin reported that
Information Minister Sherry Rehman said Pakistan would not allow the terrorists to use
its soil. Pakistan ambassador to US Husain Haqqani said his country will smash any
militant group found guilty of the Mumbai attack. Mumtaz Alvi reported that former
Army Chief Aslam Beg said there was no chance of war between Pakistan and India.
179
Asim Yasin, “Nation united to defend sovereignty,” The News, December 3, 2008.
192
NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the Mumbai attack was
inhuman.
3.10- Electronic Media and Mumbai Attack
Pakistan media took a lot of interest in the attack, according to the selected three experts
interviewed for the research.
M. Ziauddin said that by the time the Mumbai attack happened, Pakistan media had
matured a bit. The media was now discussing issues in a way which were not in
conformity with the “official certified truth”. He said there was a difference in the
coverage of Pakistan media and stories other than based on official truth were also being
broadcast. He called it as an important moment in Pakistan where media, which
traditionally followed the officials, was breaking away from its path. Conversely, the
Indian media which in the past had a more liberal view of Pakistan was towing the
official position of Indian establishment towards Pakistan.180
Rahimullah Yusufzai termed the Mumbai attack as a turning point in the history of
relations with India. It was for the first time that Pakistani media mostly gave the factual
coverage to the incident and did not try to simply highlight the official point of view. He
said the Mumbai attack was important from coverage angle because “it was the Pakistani
media which actually broke this news that Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani and his village
and family were traced.”181 He said that during the 72 hours of attack, there was first
confusion in the Pakistani media as how to respond, as India was already accusing
Pakistan. In normal times, the media would have rejected Indian allegations as
propaganda but it followed restraint. Yusufzai also said that, unfortunately in some
sections, there was satisfaction over the attack at the Indian financial hub. He also said
that media was caught unaware and it had no clue that the attack would have
repercussions and the composite dialogue would be suspended.
He said that another aspect which media failed to understand was that Pakistan would get
a very bad image in the world. “I think the coverage was straight forward, reporting only
180
181
193
what happened and not doing many analyses at that time,” he said.182 According to
Yusufzai, the media in Pakistan was not careful about the official view point, as local TV
channels raced to trace down the village and identity of Ajmal Kasab, which was
unthinkable a few years ago.
Javed Siddiq highlighted the new role of Pakistani electronic media in the wake of
Mumbai attack. He said a Pakistani TV channel was the first to trace the whereabouts of
militant Ajmal Kasab who was arrested alive during the attacks. “When the news of the
attack came, one of the electronic media, Geo group, came out with the story that Ajmal
Kasab belonged to Pakistan (which changed the coverage pattern)”, because the initial
Pakistani line was that those involved in the attack were not Pakistanis. It was generally
believed that the attackers were from some other country or may be from India. He said
that the media coverage of Mumbai changed the entire atmosphere and Pakistan came
under a lot of pressure after that.183
He also said that the Mumbai attack created a “new dynamic” in the Pakistani media
regarding coverage of relations with India, as it ignored the official line and tried to give
the factual coverage to the attacks. It had implications as India used the issue of Kasab to
convince the international community that Pakistani military establishment was involved
in the attack. India became so bold that it demanded Pakistan to send the chief of ISI spy
agency to India for the discussion over the issue of attack, he said. It created a lot of
resentment in Pakistan as public generally was against sending the head of the premier
agency to India. Siddiq said that at another level the local media was also trying to cool
down the situation so that the escalation should be avoided.
182
183
Siddiq, interview.
194
Chapter 4
Indian Media: An Assessment
India is big country with hundreds of newspapers and TV channels. Their circulation and
viewership runs into hundreds and thousands of people. It was a huge challenge to select
a sample of the media outlets for the research, as mentioned in the introduction. Finally,
The Hindu has been used as the major paper for the coverage of five selected incidents
from 2000 to 2010. The second papers have been changed in order to get wider picture of
the coverage. The coverage plan for the Indian newspapers is given below:
Table 4.1: Coverage in Indian Newspapers
Sr Events First Second Coverage (15

No. Newspaper Newspaper days)
1 Agra Summit: 2001 The Hindu Hindustan July 8-22
Times
2 Parliament Attack: 2001 The Hindu The Times of Dec 6-20
India
3 Military Escalation The Hindu The Tribune Jan 1-5
Standoff: Escalation The Hindu The Tribune June 1-5
2002 on Peak
De- The Hindu The Tribune Oct 1-5
escalation
4 Composite Launch of The Hindu The Indian Jan 3-7
Dialogue: Dialogue Express
2004-8 Mid-term The Hindu The Telegraph April 15-19
Review
Final The Hindu Deccan Herald July 9-13
Review
5 Mumbai Attack: 2008 The Hindu The Times of Nov 19- Dec
India 3
Indian electronic media is big and diverse. For the sake of this study, the overall pattern
of the coverage has been analysed. The coverage of five key events already identified has
been used to map the impact of the electronic media on the Pak-India relations. The
technique is based on the interviews of key journalists, who were active during the period
of the study and had covered some of the events. On the basis of the criteria already
discussed in the methodology, the researcher used the techniques like emails and face-to-
195
face interviews. During a conference in Islamabad towards the end of September 2013,
two prominent journalists - Suhasini Haidar and Syed Shujaat Bukhari - agreed to record
interviews. Another Indian journalist - Karan Thapar – gave written interview through
emails. These interviews are structured around the already mentioned five events.
First, the coverage of Indian print media is presented, followed by the electronic media
coverage.
4.1- Print Media and Agra Summit
The Hindu has been used as main newspaper and the Hindustan Times as the second
paper to study the coverage of the Agra Summit.
4.1.1- The Hindu
Its coverage of the summit from July 8-22, 2001 is presented below:
July 8
Table 4.2: The Hindu Coverage on July 8

No
1 Islamabad Muralidhar Focus will be on Kashmir OS C N
Reddy during summit, says Pak.
2 Islamabad Muralidhar `Not officially told of OS P SP
Reddy CBMs'
3 New C. Raja Indo-Pak. talks: an air of MS C EN
Delhi Mohan pessimism
4 Mumbai Special Tushar Gandhi writes to OS C N
Corresp. Musharraf
5 New Staff India, Pak. must give up OS C N
Delhi Report confrontation: Advani
6 New Atul Siachen issue may be AS C N
Delhi Aneja linked to forces reduction
Muralidhar Reddy reported from Islamabad that Pakistan was focused on Kashmir and
will use the summit for seeking its quick solution. Separately, he reported that Pakistan
has said to give due consideration to any Confidence Building Measures (CBMs)
196
proposal by India. Raja Mohan in an article said that pessimism was creeping up in India
ahead of the summit due to Pakistan’s harsh statements over Kashmir.184 The paper also
published a story based on a letter written by Tushar Gandhi, a great-grandson of
Mahatma Gandhi, to Musharraf, asking him to stop giving protection to Dawood Ibrahim,
Tiger Memon and others allegedly involved in the Mumbai blasts of 1993. Advani asked
Pakistan to give up confrontation. Atul Aneja reported that the security establishment is
considering the idea of linking the pullout of troops from the Siachen Glacier to the
overall reduction of forces along the LoC.
July 9
The paper published 14 stories related to Pakistan and India. It showed that media was
taking keen interest in the upcoming summit.

No
1 New C. Raja More unilateral Indian AS P SP
Delhi Mohan gestures on the way
2 Islamabad Muralidhar Pak. Commerce Minister AS C SN
Reddy may be left out
3 New Atul Aneja DGMO for Pak. 'early AS P SP
Delhi next week'
4 New Special Clarify stance on summit, OS C SN
Delhi Corresp. Govt. told
5 Islamabad Muralidhar Pak. harps on 'centrality MS C N
Reddy of Kashmir'
6 New Harish No visa for Altaf Hussain AS C SN
Delhi Khare
Islamabad Muralidhar Musharraf convenes NSC MS N SP
7 Reddy meeting
8 Islamabad UNI Pak. unaware of DGMO OS C N
visit?
9 Islamabad VoA Onus of summit success MS N SP
Interview on both of us: Musharraf
10 New PTI Fernandes against OS C EN
Delhi removing troops from
Kargil
11 New K.K. Change in stance due to MS C N
184
C. Raja Mohan, “Indo-Pak. Talk: an air of pessimism,” The Hindu, July 8, 2001.
197
Delhi Katyal pressure

12 Uri in Shujaat On the 'road' to peace MS P SP
Kashmir Bukhari
13 Chennai Staff Indo-Pak. summit will OS P EP
Reporter bring two nations
together'
14 Shimla Staff Talks not under pressure: OS C N
Reporter BJP chief
Raja Mohan wrote in a front page story that India will be positive in talks with Pakistan
and may take steps like easing travel restrictions to improve the atmosphere. Muralidhar
Reddy filed from Islamabad that Musharraf will visit India but Commerce Minister
Razzak Dawood will not accompany him, which is an indication that Pakistan will only
focus on Kashmir. Atul Aneja reported quoting military sources that the Indian Director
General Military Operations (DGMO), Lt. General G.S. Sihota, will travel to Pakistan to
discuss the security issues. The paper had a report by the special correspondent that
opposition parties asked Vajpayee to clear its position on the summit with Pakistan.
Reddy in another report said Pakistan was just harping on the “centrality of Kashmir”. A
minor story about India saying that it will not grant vsia to Muttahida Qaumi Movement
(MQM) leader was also in the paper. Reddy also reported that Musharraf decided to
convene a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to consult the senior officials
for talks. UNI reported that FO said Pakistan was not aware of any plan of visit by the
Indian DGMO. The paper also reported about Musharraf’s interview with the VoA that it
was common responsibility to make the summit successful.
Defence Minister George Fernandes opposed any plan to withdraw the troops from
Kargil or Siachen. K.K. Katyal criticised Pakistani government’s insistence on the
negative rhetoric ahead of the talks.185 Shujaat Bukhari wrote from Kashmir that
possibility of re-opening of a crucial road across the LoC after the summit was hailed by
the Kashmiris. There was a pro-peace story based on a statement by activist Nirmala
Deshpande, who said that the summit will help the two nations come together. BJP
185
K.K. Katyal, “Change in stance due to pressure,” The Hindu, July 9, 2001.
198
President Jana Krishnamurthi said talks with Pakistan were not being held under any
pressure.
July 10
The paper published 12 stories about Pakistan.

No
1 New Neena Vyas Kashmir not the only OS C SN
Delhi subject: Opposition,
Govt. agree
2 New Atul Aneja India to lift barriers on OS P P
Delhi LoC for family
reunions
3 New Special Hurriyat leaders OS C N
Delhi Corresp. invited for tea party
4 Islamabad Muralidhar No sign of Pak. OS C N
Reddy granting MFN status
5 Islamabad Muralidhar No problem about OS P SP
Reddy DGMO visit:
Musharraf
6 Islamabad Muralidhar Small delegation OS C SN
Reddy coming with
Musharraf
New Sushma Prospects bleak for MS C N
7 Delhi Ramachandran economic issues at
summit
8 New PTI Sangh Parivar hardens OS C N
Delhi stand
9 New Neena Vyas Tea party: 'It is for MS C N
Delhi parties to decide'
10 New Special PM begins discussions OS N SP
Delhi Corresp. with party leaders
11 New K.K. Katyal National consensus MS C SP
Delhi dictates India, Pak.
position
12 New Special Indo-Pak. social OS P SP
Delhi Corresp. scientists' meet begins
Neena Vyas reported that Vajpayee called an all party conference and got support for the
meeting with Musharraf. Atul Aneja reported that Vajpayee announced to open the
199
designated points along the LoC for family reunions of the divided Kashmiris. The paper
also said the APHC was invited for a meeting over tea with Musharraf, which angered the
Indians. From Pakistan, The Hindu correspondent reported that Pakistan was not ready to
grant the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. In another report from Pakistan,
the correspondent said Musharraf welcomed the Indian decision to send DGMO to
Pakistan. The reporter also filed a separate story that Musharraf will take a smaller
delegation to India.
Sushma Ramachandran reported that though the major political issues will be discussed
but there is no chance of any talks on the economic matters. PTI reported that Sangh
Parivar had hardened stand on the summit. Neena Vyas reported that the Indian political
leaders may stay away from the tea party hosted by Pakistan High Commission due to the
invitation to the APHC leaders. There was a report by the special correspondent that
Indian premier started discussion with the party leaders to get support for the summit.
K.K. Katyal wrote that both Vajpayee and Musharraf had national consensus on their
back but the problem is that India wants to talk about the entirety of relationship but
Pakistan is insisting on the centrality of Kashmir. There was also a story about the
meeting between the social scientists of two countries who urged for peace.
July 11
Another big day of stories about Pakistan as 14 stories were published.

No
1 New C. Raja India ready for a long AS P P
Delhi Mohan haul
2 Islamabad Special Musharraf for joint press OS C SN
Corresp. meet
3 New PTI PM meeting on OS N SP
Delhi Musharraf visit
4 Islamabad PTI Narrow escape for OS N SP
Musharraf
5 Islamabad Muralidhar Pak. unimpressed with OS C N
Reddy 'unilateral peace
offensive'
200
6 New Special DGMO to visit Pak. after OS C N

Delhi Corresp. summit
Lucknow Special Summit in itself OS P SP
7 Corresp. significant: Fernandes
8 New Special Congress may not MS C N
Delhi Corresp. boycott tea party
9 New Special JD(S) hails summit OS C SN
Delhi Corresp.
10 New K. K. Lahore exercise still MS N SP
Delhi Katyal relevant
11 Srinagar Shujaat Will summit cool down MS C N
Bukhari the 'hot' Siachen
12 Srinagar Shujaat JKNF extends 'full' OS P SP
Bukhari support to summit
13 Mumbai Reporter M.F. Hussain's painting OS P P
for Musharraf
14 New Special Call for peace talks OS P P
Delhi Corresp. beyond the summit
Raja Mohan reported that India was ready for long-term engagement with Pakistan
irrespective of the outcome of the summit. The paper published a report from Islamabad
that Pakistan proposed a joint press conference by Musharraf and Vajpayee but India had
not responded to it. PTI reported that Musharraf had a narrow escape when a private car
crashed into his convoy injuring one of his bodyguards and the driver of an escort
vehicle. Muralidhar Reddy reported that Pakistan was not impressed with the unilateral
CBMs by India, which seemed an effort to put pressure on Musharraf. The paper had an
interesting report about a telephonic talk between Indian DGMO Lt. Gen. G.S. Sihota and
his counterpart Maj. Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani who asked the Indian counterpart to
visit Pakistan after the summit. George Fernandes reportedly said in Lucknow that
Vajpayee-Musharraf summit would be significant even if they failed to make any
headway.
Congress leadership decided to boycott the tea party hosted by Pakistan High
Commission while Janta Dal, a secular party, welcomed the summit but suggested the
talks be held on the basis of the Shimla and Lahore accords. Katyal wrote that the Lahore
Declaration was still relevant. Shujaat Bukhari wrote from Srinagar that it was not clear
whether the meeting could pave way for the resolution of the Siachen issue. Separately,
201
he filed that independent-minded Jammu and Kashmir National Front (JKNF) extended
full support to the summit. On a positive note, the paper said that Vajpayee would present
a painting by renowned F.M. Hussain to Musharraf. In another positive news, participants
in a contest for peace agenda for the summit opposed terrorism.
July 12
Eleven news stories were published.

No
1 New Delhi Special NDA to keep off tea OS C N
Corresp. party
2 New Delhi Special BJP not invited, Cong. MS C SN
Corresp. rethink
3 Srinagar Shujaat JKLF strikes a OS C N
Bukhari different note
4 Washington Sridhar Indo-Pak. issues OS N SP
Krishnaswami important for U.S.'
5 Islamabad Muralidhar Nawab wants OS C SN
Reddy Musharraf to plead
Junagadh's case
6 Islamabad Special No POWs in Pak. OS C N
Corresp. jails'
7 New Delhi C. Raja Talks to focus on MS C N
Mohan framework
8 New Delhi Special Officials tight-lipped AS C SN
Corresp. on security
arrangements
9 Banreogal Special India should not be OS C N
Corresp. fussy about Pak.-
Hurriyat meet'
10 New Delhi K. K. Katyal Does Musharraf have MS C N
a fallback option?
11 New Delhi Special Limited live TV AS C SN
Corresp. coverage for
Musharraf visit
The major story of the day was a decision by the BJP led ruling National Democratic
Alliance (NDA) to stay away from the controversial tea party at Pakistan High
Commission. In another related story, the paper said that BJP boycotted the tea party
202
though it was not even invited as yet. Bukhari reported from Srinagar that JKLF decided
to stay away from the tea party, a setback to the APHC. Sridhar Krishnaswami filed from
Washington that the Agra Summit was important for the United States. Muralidhar
Reddy reported that as if the Kashmir dispute was not enough, the `Nawab of Junagadh'
claimed that accession of Junagadh (now part of Rajasthan) to India was disputed and
that Pakistan should not ignore the sentiments of the `subjects of Junagadh' as and when
it took up issues with India. Reddy also reported that chief spokesman of the military
government, Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi, told a news conference that there was not any
Indian POW in Pakistan.
Raja Mohan reported that the two leaders at summit will try to create mechanisms for the
resolution of issues. “If General Musharraf is prepared to move towards a normal
relationship with India that is free from violence, it is strongly held here, New Delhi may
be more than willing to address Islamabad's concerns on Kashmir.”186 The paper also
reported that the Indian police was not giving any details about the security arrangements
ahead of the visit by Musharraf. Opposition Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Manmohan
Singh, said that India should not waste time about the tea party issue. Katyal reported that
Musharraf cannot afford the summit to fail due to the possible backlash at home. There
was also a story that only limited live coverage will be provided to Musharraf.
July 13
The paper carried 11 stories.

No
1 New Delhi C. Raja We will be positive at OS P P
Mohan Agra: Jaswant
2 Islamabad Muralidhar 'Kashmir, main cause OS C N
Reddy of tension'
3 New Delhi Special It will be token Cong. MS P SP
Corresp. presence at tea party
4 Islamabad Special Hurriyat leaders to MS C N
Corresp. meet Musharraf at
186
C. Raja Mohan, “Talks to focus on framework,” The Hindu, July 11, 2001.
203
reception
5 Islamabad Muralidhar Let us move forward: OS P EP
Reddy Vajpayee
6 Islamabad Muralidhar CBMs won't move OS C N
Reddy ahead alone: Pak.
7 Islamabad Special Lashkar against visa OS C N
Corresp. posts along LoC
8 New Delhi Atul Aneja An agenda for peace MS P SP
likely
9 New Delhi Kalpana For Kashmiris, peace is OS P SP
Sharma a question of survival'
10 Chennai Reporter An online school for OS P P
Indian, Pak. youths
11 Jaipur Special Entertainment for Pak. MS P P
Corresp. team in Agra
Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh said his country will show positive approach
towards Musharraf despite the displeasure over his meeting with the Kashmir leaders.
Reddy reported that Pakistan spokesman Rashid Qureshi said the basic objective at the
Agra Summit would be the resolution of Kashmir.187 Congress decided to make token
presence at the tea party. Pakistan sources said that APHC leaders will meet Musharraf
on July 14. Muralidhar reported that Vajpayee in an interview to the Associated Press of
Pakistan said the time had come for two the countries to shed “narrow and cliché-ridden''
approaches and take their relationship forward by addressing the core concerns. The
Hindu correspondent in Pakistan reported that Musharraf said without solving Kashmir,
the CBMs will not help. On a different note, the paper quoted chief of the Lashkar-e-
Taiba, Hafiz Saeed, that his organisation would not allow India to establish visa posts on
the LoC.
Atul Aneja wrote that after early posturing, the two sides were settling for a workable
formula for the talks. As the two sides were busy talking terms of peace, private peace
activists gathered in Delhi and asked the leaders to solve the problems and bring peace,
reported Kalpana Sharma. In another private initiative, the paper reported that the South
Asian Community Center for Education, Research and Action Trust, based in Chennai,
set up an “India-Pakistan Reconciliation School'' on the eve of Musharraf's visit. Also, it
187
Muralidhar Reddy, “‘Kashmir, main cause of tension,’” The Hindu, July 12, 2001.
204
was reported that noted musician and Grammy Award winner Pundit Vishwa Mohan
Bhatt will perform live in Agra during the summit to entertain the Pakistan delegation.
July 14
The paper published 15 stories, which were a mix of pro-peace and pro-conflict pieces.

No
1 New Delhi C. Raja A 'new opportunity' for AS P P
Mohan India, Pak.
2 New Delhi PTI Let's bury the past: OS P EP
Vajpayee
3 Islamabad Muralidhar We are for building OS P P
Reddy trust: PM
4 Manama Kesava Musharraf against OS C N
(Bahrain) Menon permanence to LoC
5 New Delhi PTI Indians barred at OS C N
Hurriyat, Pak. scribes
meet
6 New Delhi Gargi Parsai Will Tulbul navigation MS C N
project be taken up at
Agra?
7 New Delhi Special PM briefs President on OS N SP
Corresp. summit
8 New Delhi Neena Vyas Change in BJP stand? MS P SP
9 New Delhi Special Cancel summit, says OS C N
Corresp. VHP
10 New Delhi UNI A good beginning: OS P P
RSS
11 New Delhi Special Cong. disapproves of OS C N
Corresp. Musharraf remarks
12 New Delhi Nirnimesh PIL on Musharraf visit OS P SP
Kumar dismissed
13 Mumbai Arunkumar Thackeray questions OS C N
Bhatt concessions to Pak.
14 New Delhi K. K. Katyal Overcoming hiccups, MS N SP
over to Agra now
15 New Delhi Special Rabbani plea to OS C N
Corresp. Vajpayee
205
Raja Mohan reported that despite escalation in Kashmir, India decided to stay calm and
positive ahead of the summit. PTI quoted Vajpayee saying that no one can forget
Pakistan’s aggression in Kargil but it was time to move forward. Reddy reported an
interview of Vajpayee with Dawn newspaper in which he said that India would like to
build peace and trust by placing a stable structure of cooperative ties with Pakistan.
Musharraf in an interview with the Gulf News said that he was against making the LoC a
permanent border. PTI reported that Indian media was barred from attending a meeting of
APHC with Pakistani media. There were also speculative stories like one by Gargi Parsai
whether Tulbul navigation project will be part of the talks.
Indian Prime Minister briefed President K.R. Narayanan about the summit. He also met
several other leaders as part of the pre-summit consultations. Neena Vyas reported that
BJP accepted that Kashmir was an issue with Pakistan. The offshoots of the extremist
Sangh Parivar were divided over the summit: Vishwa Hindu Parishad asked government
to cancel the meeting and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) termed the summit
as a good beginning. Congress criticised Musharraf’s remarks related to rejection of
Shimla and Lahore agreements and terming APHC as sole representatives of Kashmir.
The Delhi High Court threw out the Public Interest Litigations challenging Musharraf
visit. The Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray criticised Vajpayee for showering concessions
to Pakistan before the summit. Katyal said the time of the summit had finally come and
all irritants of the past week were overcome. Separately, Afghanistan leader Burhanuddin
Rabbani asked Vajpayee to raise the issue of Pakistan’s role in spreading regional
instability through Taliban.
July 15
It was the first day of the summit level talks and the paper published 22 stories.

No
1 New Delhi C. Raja Hopes rise for a MS P P
Mohan productive summit
2 New Delhi Shujaat We are satisfied: OS C N
Bukhari Hurriyat leaders
206
3 New Delhi C. Raja We need to show OS P SP

Mohan boldness: Musharraf
4 New Delhi Staff Ceremonial welcome at OS N SP
Reporter Rashtrapati Bhavan
5 New Delhi Special President calls for OS P P
Corresp. 'structured dialogue'
6 New Delhi Special Advani raises cross- OS C N
Corresp. border terrorism
7 New Delhi Gaurav The General keeps his MS P P
Vivek date with haveli
Bhatnagar
8 New Delhi Atul Aneja India, Pak. Naval MS P SP
hotline?
9 New Delhi Special 'Undaa Hai', exclaims MS P SP
Corresp. Musharraf
10 New Delhi Special Let's agree on adequate OS P P
Corresp. nuclear safeguards:
Sonia
11 New Delhi PTI Tipnis handshake MS C N
12 New Delhi Shujaat Chaos, confusion at OS C N
Bukhari party
13 New Delhi Special Gandhiji's ideals MS P P
Corresp. required now for
bringing peace, says
Musharraf
14 New Delhi Special No place for Musharraf MS C N
Corresp. plant?
15 New Delhi Staff Hope, disappointment, MS C SN
Reporter then business as usual
16 Agra PTI The Taj can be seen MS P SP
from every room
17 New Delhi Special I will convey your OS P SP
Corresp. views to my husband:
Sehba Musharraf
18 New Delhi Javed Ansari The General won MS P P
some, lost some
19 Hyderabad Special Church council hails OS N SN
Corresp. Vajpayee initiative
20 New Delhi Staff Report She came, she saw, she MS P SP
left captivated
21 Agra PTI Agra administration AS C SN
shells out Rs. 1.5 cr.
22 New Delhi Special Military solution to OS P SP
Corresp. Kashmir ruled out
207
Raja Mohan reported that there was a chance of fresh start in ties as Musharraf arrived to
hold talks. APHC leaders were satisfied after their meeting with Musharraf, reported
Shujaat Bukhari. Musharraf in his first interaction with a group of intellectuals said he
was hopeful of a breakthrough. Musharraf was given the ceremonial welcome as he
visited the presidential palace to meet President K.R. Narayanan. It was also reported that
Home Minister L.K. Advani conveyed concerns over terrorism to Musharraf in his brief
meeting. Musharraf’s visit to his ancestral haveli in New Delhi was also reported as an
“emotional homecoming”. Atul Aneja reported that defence ministry proposed a hotline
between the two navies. The paper also had a story about the food served to the Pakistani
leader who termed it as “undaa hai” (excellent).
Sonia Gandhi also met Musharraf with a three-member delegation. PTI reported that
Marshal A.Y. Tipnis, Chief of Air Staff, did not salute Musharraf at the ceremonial
reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and only shook hands, a reminder of 1999 when
Musharraf as army chief refused to come to the border to greet Vajpayee. Shujaat
Bukhari reported that the tea party was marred by chaos and confusion. Musharraf’s visit
to Samadhi of Gandhi at Raj Ghat was also reported as he became the first Pakistani
leader to pay the homage. “Never has the requirement of his ideals been more severely
felt than today, especially in the context of Pakistan- India relations. May his soul rest in
eternal peace,'' Musharraf wrote in the visitors' book. Another story was about
cancellation of Musharraf’s visit to the dargah of Hazrat Nizamddin Auliya.
A story from Agra captured the details of the suite of Amar Vilas where Musharraf was
supposed to stay. He could see the Taj from the room. An address by Sehba Musharraf to
a group of women was also part of the day’s coverage. The details of high-profile
luncheon to Musharraf were also published. The National Council of Churches in India
(NCCI) described Kashmir as an “integral part of India''. There was also a report about
Sehba Musharraf being appreciated by the media. The paper reported that the Agra
administration spent Rs 1.5 crore on the security arrangement. Musharraf said that there
was no military solution to Kashmir.
208
July 16
The day was full of interesting stories as it was the first day of the summit.

No
1 New Delhi C. Raja 'Cordial, constructive' MS P P
Mohan talks on day one at
Agra
2 Islamabad Muralidhar Sushma remarks cause OS C EN
Reddy a flutter
3 Agra UNI Casuals all the way MS P SP
4 Islamabad Muralidhar Pakistanis euphoric, MS C SN
Reddy militants to wait and
watch
5 Agra Neena Vyas Will the Big Two seize MS P P
the moment?
6 Agra Neena Vyas Media kept out of MS C N
'action'
7 Agra Anita Joshua Agra back in Centre MS N SP
stage
8 New Delhi Gaurav One more Indo-Pak OS P SP
Vivek summit: this one is
Bhatnagar different
9 New Delhi UNI 'We are not sheltering AS C N
Dawood'
10 Agra Anita Joshua 'Lucky to have visited OS P P
the Taj'
11 Agra PTI Wish I stayed here OS P P
longer: Musharraf
12 New Delhi Reporter A pilgrimage for Sehba MS P P
13 Indore PTI 'Musharraf should have OS C N
avoided meeting
Hurriyat exclusively'
14 Guwahati Special Will ISI support to AS C N
Corresp. ULFA stop?
15 Aligarh PTI Situation will worsen if OS C SN
the summit fails'
16 Agra UNI Third party AS P SP
intervention'
As the historic talks started at Agra, the media went ecstatic with the hope of a
breakthrough. In the front page lead, The Hindu reported that the two countries were
209
hopeful to bury the bitter past for a promising future. The big story of the day was about
the controversial remarks by Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj who
after the first day of the summit gave the impression that issues other than Kashmir
figured prominently in the dialogue. The casual attire of the two leaders was also
prominently reported, as Musharraf wore an open-neck cream colour shirt and black
trousers, while Vajpayee was clad in a dhoti, kurta and sleeveless jacket. Reddy reported
Pakistan was positive about the prospects of the talks but Kashmiri militants did not share
the optimism. Neena Vyas reported from Agra that it appeared the two leaders were
willing to write a new chapter in the history of relations. Vyas also reported media was
kept on a tight leash during the first day of the summit.
Anita Joshua wrote Agra, the capital of Mughal Empire till 17th century, was back on
stage due to the summit. Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar filed a story about a poetry recitation
show joined by the writers from Pakistan and India who sang for peace. A Pakistan
official was quoted as saying that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was not staying in
Pakistan. Joshua reported about Musharraf trip to Taj Mahal with his wife. PTI reported
that Pakistani leader said he should have stayed longer at Agra. Sehba Musharraf visited
shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Salim Chishti.
The deputy leader of Congress parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, Madhavrao Scindia,
said Pakistani President should have avoided the exclusive meeting with the APHC
leaders. In another story, the paper said that it was time to see if ISI would stop support to
the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) rebels in Assam. Former Prime Minister
Chandra Shekhar said that the situation will worsen if the summit failed. The paper had
also an interesting story that when Vajpayee and Musharraf were chatting during the
lunch at Taj Palace Hotel, Indian Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah walked
towards them to join them in their talks. “Gen. Saheb, this is third party intervention
taking place,'' Mr. Vajpayee, known for his felicity with words, said, official sources told
UNI. In response, the Pakistani leader just smiled.
July 17
The talks had failed and the paper published 17 stories.

210

No
1 New Delhi Raja Mohan Agra talks fail MS C EN
2 Agra Malini We cannot brush OS C EN
Parthasarathy Kashmir under the
carpet: Musharraf
3 New Delhi Neena Vyas We will counter MS C N
terrorism: PM
4 Agra UNI CCS holds informal MS C N
meeting
5 Agra Neena Vyas When propaganda MS C N
played spoilsport
6 Agra Special MEA spokesperson MS C N
Corresp. manhandled
7 Lucknow Special 'An attempt to gain OS C N
Corresp. cheap popularity'
8 Agra Special Media kept on MS C SN
Corresp. tenterhooks
9 Agra Special Attracting attention - MS C N
Corresp. the Sena way
10 Agra Atul Aneja Stuck for the right AS C N
language
11 Ajmer Mohammed Musharraf fails to keep AS C SN
Iqbal date at Ajmer dargah
12 Agra Special Sehba Musharraf takes MS P SP
Corresp. in Agra Fort
13 Agra Shujaat Pak. media persons MS P SP
Bukhari optimistic
14 Agra PTI Never forget view of MS P SP
Taj: Musharraf
As the two day-summit failed, The Hindu reported, “Fundamental differences over
Kashmir and cross-border terrorism turned out to be too strong to let both the countries
reach a broad accommodation of each other's core political concerns.”188 Musharraf’s
breakfast meeting with Indian journalists was given extensive coverage and his insistence
to keep Kashmir at center of talks invited backlash. It was said that the frank talk by
Musharraf contributed to the failure of talks. Vajpayee chaired a crucial meeting of the
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and it was later reported that he was asked to be
188
C. Raja Mohan, “Agra talks fail,” The Hindu, July 17, 2001.
211
tough with Musharraf. Neena Vyas said both countries continued to unleash
disinformation to their advantage during the summit. They were trying to address the
home audience without realising that it will hurt the goodwill and atmosphere. It was also
reported by Indian media that spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Nirupma
Rao, was “virtually manhandled” by the members of the Pakistani media.
As the summit failed, criticism started pouring in. Former Prime Minister Chandra
Shekhar said Vajpayee knew that Pakistan will not budge on Kashmir and still he went
ahead to invite Musharraf. Media also faced problems as the flow of information was
blocked. Shiv Sena burnt Pakistan flag in front of Mughal Sheraton hotel to protest the
talks. The paper also carried a report by Atul Aneja that the two countries tried to agree
on the joint statement but they could not. In other twist of the day, Musharraf failed to
pay visit to Ajmer as he dashed home after the failure but Sehba made a tour to the Agra
Fort. Shujaat Bukhari reported after interviewing Pakistan journalists and academicians
that they were hopeful about the direction set by the summit. PTI reported Musharraf
saying that he will never forget the view of historic Taj Mahal from Kohinoor
presidential suite of Amar Vilas Hotel.
July 18

No
1 New Delhi C. Raja Ready to pick up the OS P P
Mohan thread, says Jaswant
Singh
2 Islamabad Muralidhar Summit inconclusive, OS P P
Reddy not a failure: Sattar
3 New Delhi Special Cong., BJP blame Pak. OS C N
Corresp. for failure
4 Islamabad Special POWs: Musharraf OS P P
Corresp. orders probe
5 New Delhi Special Dialogue must OS P P
Corresp. continue, say Left
parties
6 Agra Neena Vyas Killing with kindness, OS C N
212
Jaswant style
7 Agra Special Pak. diplomacy one OS C EN
Corresp. factor for failure'
8 New Delhi PTI Gujral blames Pak. OS C EN
leadership
9 Agra Neena Vyas Sushma, Jaswant and MS C N
the media
10 Srinagar Shujaat Kashmiris keep hope MS P SP
Bukhari alive
11 New Delhi Staff Report Musharraf was tense at MS C N
Raj Ghat'
12 New Delhi Special Industry to send team OS P SP
Corresp. to Pakistan
The post-summit official reaction from India was positive and Foreign Minister Jaswant
Singh said they were ready to continue to seek reconciliation. Also, positive messages
were issued from Pakistan and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said that the summit was
inconclusive and not a failure. Congress and BJP blamed Pakistan for the failure.
Pakistan showed further commitment to the spirit of the summit when Musharraf ordered
administrative action to locate if any Indian POW was in jails, which was raised during
the summit. The Indian parties of the left expressed disappointment at the failure and
asked that the dialogue should continue. Jaswant Singh told media that Musharraf was
never stopped from visiting the shrine of Sufi saint in Ajmer. He also said Pakistan’s
reluctance to sit for the preparatory talks and doing diplomacy through media was cause
of failure. Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral also blamed Pakistan for failure.
Jaswant Singh also said that Information Minister Sushma Swaraj had full backing of the
party when she spoke with media. Bukhari wrote that Kashmiri people were positive
about the ties between Pakistan and India despite failure. An interesting story was based
on the handwriting of Musharraf in the visitor’s book at the Raj Ghat. A specialist of
writing said that he was nervous. The paper reported that Associated Chambers of
Commerce and Industry of India decided to send a trade delegation to Pakistan.
July 19
After end of the summit, the coverage went down.

213

No
1 New Delhi Atul Aneja 'We must start from OS C N
Shimla, Lahore'
2 Islamabad Muralidhar Pak. dumb-struck AS C EN
Reddy
3 New Delhi PTI Pak. apologises for AS C N
heckling of official
4 Islamabad Muralidhar India goes ahead with MS P SP
Reddy CBMs
5 New Delhi Neena Vyas India against holding MS C N
ties hostage to
Kashmir question
6 New Delhi Special India to brief U.S. AS C N
Corresp. official on summit
7 New Delhi K.K. Katyal Peace lost a chance in MS P EP
Agra
8 Mumbai Mahesh Vajpayee should not OS C N
Vijapurkar go to Pak.'
9 New Delhi Special Panun Kashmir wants OS C N
Corresp. PM to come clean on
summit
India said the future engagements should be based on the Simla and Lahore agreements.
Reddy reported from Pakistan that the military establishment was ‘dumb-struck’ at the U-
turn by India over the Agra Summit and considered it as setback for the reconciliation. It
was also reported that Pakistan spokesman apologised to the External Affairs Ministry
spokesperson Nirupma Rao who was heckled by the Pakistani journalists. Reddy also
reported that India was going ahead with the CBMs and secretary of the Indian Council
of Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), Bhaskar Chatterjee, was in Pakistan with 27
fellowships to senior researchers.
Neena Vyas reported that India was against holding the ties hostage to Kashmir. It was
also reported that India will brief the visiting Chief of the US Army, General Henry
Shelton, about ties with Pakistan. Katyal made an analysis of who gained and who lost at
Agra, and came out that it was the peace which suffered. Shiv Sena said Vajpayee should
not go to Pakistan. Kashmir Pundits demanded the government to explain why APHC
was allowed to meet Musharraf.
214
July 20
The coverage further nosedived after failure of the summit.

No
1 New Delhi Special Summit 'not OS C SN
Corresp. unsuccessful': PM
2 Islamabad Muralidhar The Agra journey must OS C SN
Reddy continue, says Pak.
3 New Delhi Neena Vyas BJP executive to AS C N
analyse Agra summit
4 New Delhi Special Be better prepared next OS C N
Corresp. time, says V.P. Singh
5 New Delhi UNI Militancy may OS C N
escalate: Gujral
The paper reported Vajpayee said that the summit was not unsuccessful and efforts would
be made for more talks. Reddy reported that Pakistan showed disappointment over the
Indian decision to reject the understanding reached at Agra. Pakistan contested Indian
view that since the formal joint statement was not issued, hence they were not bound by
it. Neena Vyas reported that ruling BJP will meet soon to extract the political mileage out
of the summit, which many thought was a bad show on its part. Former Prime Minister
V.P. Singh told the government to be better prepared in the next interaction with
Pakistan. Another ex-premier I.K. Gujral said that militancy will increase due to the
summit failure.
July 21
There were just three stories and all were negative.

No
1 Islamabad Muralidhar Resolution of Kashmir OS C EN
Reddy only way to amity:
Musharraf
2 Islamabad PTI Musharraf derailed OS C EN
215
summit: Sushma
3 New Delhi Neena Vyas BJP blames it on AS C N
Jaswant Singh
Musharraf gave his first press conference since the summit and said it was a failure as
they could not agree on the centrality of Kashmir. PTI reported Sushma Swaraj said that
Musharraf derailed the summit. She told a Pakistani daily that it was not she but
Musharraf who must be blamed for the failure. As the two countries blamed each other,
BJP accused Jaswant Singh for the failure.
July 22
The coverage of the day was limited to mutual bickering over apportioning the blame for
the failure.

No
1 Islamabad Muralidhar Pak. accuses India of OS C EN
Reddy firing on LoC
2 Islamabad Muralidhar 'Cross-border terrorism OS C EN
Reddy was linked to Kashmir'
3 Srinagar Pak. firing in Kargil AS C N
continues
4 New Delhi PTI Sonia convenes MS C N
Opposition leaders'
meet
5 New Delhi Special BJP hits out at OS C N
Corresp. Musharraf
6 New Delhi Special Centre must snap out OS C N
Corresp. of diplomatic stupor:
Cong.
7 New Delhi Special Seize the opportunity, OS P SP
Corresp. CPI(M) tells Govt.
8 New Delhi Special Govt. accused of OS C SN
Corresp. 'diplomatic paralysis'
216
The failure of the Agra Summit was visible on the LoC as Pakistan accused India for
firing.189 Reddy reported Musharraf saying that the issue of cross border terrorism was
due to Kashmir. PTI reported from Srinagar that the Pakistani firing was continuing in
Kargil. Sonia called a meeting of the opposition parties to discuss the bungling of BJP at
the summit. BJP on its part hit back at Musharraf’s press conference and called him the
biggest hawk. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) called on the government to
continue the talks. Former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said that Musharraf’s
obsession with Kashmir prevented the settlement.
4.1.2- Hindustan Times
The Hindustan Times is considered as an important newspaper in India. Its coverage

period of the Agra Summit is from July 8 to 22, 2001.
July 8
Table 4.17: Hindustan Times Coverage on July 8

No
1 New Delhi Manoj Joshi No quick fix on MS C SN
Kashmir possible
2 New Delhi PTI Altaf Hussain to visit AS C N
India soon
3 New Delhi Pramit Pal Pak vitriol seen as AS C N
Chaudhuri panic over India
CBMs
Manoj Joshi reported that both countries would try to tackle the issue of Kashmir at the
summit but no quick solution was visible.190 The paper reported that leaders of Muttahida
Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain will visit India to highlight the plight of his people. It
also reported that India was not happy with the negative response from Islamabad over a
series of CBMs, as Indian officials suspected that Pakistan wanted to keep the focus on
Kashmir and believed that the concession by India would deflect the attention.
189
Muralidhar Reddy, “Pak. Accuses India of shelling on LoC,” The Hindu, July 22, 2001.
190
Manoj Joshi, “No quick fix on Kashmir possible,” Hindustan Times, July 8, 2001.
217
July 9
There wasn’t any relevant story on July 9.
July 10
There were six stories but five of them were negative for Pak-India ties.

No
1 New Delhi Tribune Qazi invites Hurriyat OS C N
News Serviceleader
2 New Delhi Shakti Pervez’s host-to-be MS N SN
Sharma was police’s guest
3 New Delhi HTC No concession on OS C N
Kashmir, says
Vajpayee
4 New Delhi HT Corresp. ‘Govt in a bind over MS N SN
Qazi’s high tea’
5 New Delhi HT Corresp. More border gates to AS P P
open for Pakistanis
6 New Delhi Vinod Musharraf mood MS C N
Sharma & mirrors popular
Udayan mindset
Namboodiri
The paper reported that High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi had invited APHC
leaders for the high tea and meeting with Musharraf, disregarding the Indian reservations.
There was an interesting story by Shakti Sharma who traced the criminal record of the
man, now living in the Neharwali Haveli where Musharraf was born. Rakesh Gola, part-
owner of the property, was arrested for stealing Rs 5 million. The paper also reported that
Vajpayee told a meeting of 37 political leaders that there will be no compromise on
Kashmir.
The issue of high tea was also getting blown out as the Indian government was in
dilemma to attend the party or skip it. The paper also reported that India was announcing
more CBMs to facilitate visitors from Pakistan, which included issuing visas at the border
and opening new entry points at the border and the LoC. Vinod Sharma & Udayan
218
Namboodiri reported that Pakistan was not responding to the unilateral CBMs, fearing
that India was trying to sideline Kashmir.
July 11
The paper published four stories related to Pakistan.

No
1 New Delhi Chandan Slew of CBMs MS C N
Nandy compound security
worries
2 New Delhi Poonam A gift from Husain to OS N SP
Goel Musharraf via
Vajpayee
3 Srinagar Rashid Hurriyat divided over MS C SN
Ahmad invitation to Qazi’s tea
4 New Delhi Vivek High Commissioner’s AS N SP
Shukla house hold special
memories
The paper reported that the Indian security establishment was disturbed due to the CBMs
like relaxation of visas for Pakistanis and opening up new entry points, as it may
compromise the security. Poonam Goel reported that master painter F.M. Husain created
a special painting of horses on the request of Vajpayee for Musharraf. Rashid Ahmad
reported from Srinagar that APHC was divided over the invitation to the tea party and
JKLF announced to boycott it. An interesting story was about the High Commissioner’s
house, as the paper reported that Musharraf’s visit to the building for the tea party will be
like a pilgrimage as his family once took refuge in it after the partition riots in 1947.191
July 12
There were four stories about Pakistan.
191
Vivek Shukla, “High Commissioner’s house holds special memories,” Hindustan Times, July 11, 2001.
219
No
1 New Delhi Report Pak President actually OS C N
holding pistol to our
head, say Gujral
2 New Delhi Shekhar Iyer ‘We’ll boycott Qazi OS C N
tea’: NDA
3 New Delhi Rajnish Pakistan media MS N SP
Sharma & person are here for
Sutirtho serious business
Patranobis
4 New Delhi Saurabh Kandahar highjack MS C N
Shukla victims wait for
Musharraf to deliver
justice
Ex-premier I.K. Gujral said that Pakistan was dictating terms on Kashmir, reducing hopes
for a breakthrough during the summit. The NDA decided to stay away from the tea party
due to the invitation extended to APHC while other leaders from Kashmir were ignored.
The paper also had a report about the 78-memebr strong media team flown from Pakistan
to India for the coverage of the Agra Summit. Saurabh Shukla reported that the victims of
the Indian plane high-jacked by Pakistani militants wanted justice from Musharraf.
July 13
The paper carried five stories a day before Musharraf was arriving in India.

No
1 New Delhi HT Corresp. Pak for Mandela’s AS C N
meditation
2 London Vijay Dutt Bhutto, Hussain OS P SP
welcome summit
3 New Delhi Udayan President to put AS N SN
Namboodiri democracy on the
menu at banquet
4 New Delhi Saurabh Pak team lands India AS N SN
Shukla in seating soup
5 New Delhi Sutirtho Pak VIP at Rajghat MS N SP
Patranobis after 21 years
220
The paper reported that Pakistan wanted to haul in Nelson Mandela to mediate on
Kashmir.192 Vijay Dutt reported from London that former premier Benazir Bhutto and
leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain, both living in self-imposed exile,
welcomed the summit. Indian President who was hosting a banquet planned to deliver a
speech extolling the virtues of democracy which may appear too hot for a general, who
seized power through a coup. But to Musharraf’s relief, K.R. Narayanan was not going to
touch cross-border terrorism or Kargil.
There was an interesting story about seating protocol at the summit, termed as “protocol
nightmare”. The paper said that Musharraf was accompanied by just one minister,
Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar and rest of 19-memebr team comprised bureaucrats. Three
each of whom were secretary and additional secretary level officers. India had three
ministers and was in quandary who will be seated in front of whom. Musharraf was
visiting Rajghat which was the first visit by any Pakistan VIP since Foreign Minister
Agha Shahi paid a visit on July 16, 1980.
July 14
The coverage peaked on the day of Musharraf’s arrival and the paper published 11
stories.

No
1 New Delhi HT Corresp. Two summits, two MS N SN
ethos
2 Srinagar Rashid ‘Jaswant’s statement OS C N
Ahmad on Kashmir
discouraging’, says
Lone
3 New Delhi Sudhi Ranjan “Advani to take up AS C N
Sen issue of Pakistan
giving shelter to
criminals”
4 New Delhi HT Corrsep. Digvijay Singh to be MS N SP
Pak president’s
192
“Pak for Mandela’s meditation,” Hindustan Times, July 13, 2001.
221
minister-in-waiting
5 New Delhi HT Corresp. Talks will be OS C N
meaningless
6 Dubai PTI “LoC as permanent MS C N
border not
acceptable”
7 New Delhi Vinod Dhindsa seek meet MS C N
Sharma with Musharraf on
upkeep of Sikh
shrines in Pak
8 Agra Sourish Menu laces with MS N SP
Bhattacharya Ayurvedic elixirs to
set the right mood
9 New Delhi Jay Raina Pervez will have some MS N P
food for thought
10 New Delhi HT Corresp. Anti-Pervez PIL cost OS N SP
litigant Rs 50,000
11 New Delhi HT Corresp. Kashmir cloud over MS C N
summit
The paper compared the Lahore and Agra Summits, focusing how Lahore trip was
historic but Musharraf sabotaged it by launching the Kargil War. Rashid Ahmad reported
from Srinagar that senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone said the statement of
Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh that Kashmir was non-negotiable was unfortunate.
Advani was planning to raise the issue of at least 50 hardcore criminals wanted in India
and allegedly hiding in Pakistan. Railway Minister Digvijay Singh was designated as
minister-in-waiting for Musharraf to accompany him during the three-day trip. VHP
lashed at Musharraf and said he was not serious in the talks. Its leader Acharya
Dharmnedra also announced two-day protest fast against the summit. PTI reported that
Musharraf in an interview to the Gulf News said Pakistan will not accept the LoC as
border.
Vinod Sharma reported that Akali leader and union minister S.S. Dhindsa wanted to meet
Musharraf for involving Sikh leaders from India in the maintenance of their holy places
in Pakistan. An interesting report said that Vajpayee and Musharraf will be served a food
laced with Ayurvedic substances and the philosophy was that this kind of food keeps
222
people at peace with themselves and with others.193 Jay Raina reported that Vajpayee
would serve the best lunch to Musharraf during the summit break where a galaxy of
Bollywood stars will be invited. A litigant has field petition against visit of Musharraf but
it was dismissed and a fine of Rs 50,000 was imposed on him. The paper also reported
that due to the hard line taken by Pakistan on Kashmir, the entire Agra Summit may end
in failure.
July 15
The coverage for the first day of the summit was limited to four stories.

No
1 New Delhi Udayan Narayanan focuses on OS P P
Namboodiri social issues,
development
2 New Delhi Vinod No military solution OS P SP
Sharma of Kashmir:
Musharraf
3 New Delhi Vinod Soft notes after shrill MS P SP
Sharma & rhetoric
Udayan
Namboodiri
4 New Delhi HT Corresp. Musharraf to ask OS P P
Vajpayee to visit
Pakistan
Indian President K.R. Narayanan reportedly gave a new meaning to the unfinished
agenda of partition when he urged Pak-India cooperation for the development of the sub-
continent. Musharraf made a conciliatory speech at the banquet saying that Kashmir
cannot be solved through military means. The paper reported that Musharraf arrived on
July 14 and looked grim but by the evening he had changed and looked more relaxed.
Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq told media that Pakistan would invite Vajpayee for a
return visit to have back-to-back summits.
193
Sourish Bhattacharya, “Menu laced with Ayurvedic elixirs to set the right mood,” Hindustan Times, July
14, 2001.
223
July 16
There were five stories on the second day of summit.

No
1 Fatehpur Soni Peace in city of clove OS P P
Sikri Sangwan
2 Agra Vinod The “joint” statement MS N SP
Sharma & was a sign of
Udayan changing times, ties
Namboodiri
3 Agra Pramit Pal Kashmir discussions AS P P
Chaudhuri may be bumped up to
political level
4 Agra Vinod So far, so good MS P P
Sharma &
Udayan
Namboodiri
5 Agra Vir Sanghvi In search of the half- MS N SN
way house
The main story in the paper was that the first day of talks was good, as the two leaders
met one-on-one and delegation levels. They also agreed to carry on the meetings for the
next day. Vajpayee also accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan. In his analysis of the first
day, Vir Sanghvi reported that the basic differences over Kashmir and cross-border
terrorism were still there and it will be expecting too much if someone felt that a major
breakthrough would come.
The paper reported about the visit of Sehba Musharraf to the shrine of saint Salim in
Fatehpur Sikri. Later, she told media that she prayed for peace. Vinod Sharma & Udayan
Namboodiri reported that the mid-summit press statement was approved by both sides.
There was a report that the two sides were considering scaling up discussion on Kashmir
by setting up a ministerial level group from the existing bureaucratic level parleys. 194
194
Pramit Chaudhuri, “Kashmir discussion may be bumped up to political level,” Hindustan Times, July
15, 2001.
224
July 17
The two-day summit failed and the paper published nine stories about it.

No
1 Agra Vinod Summit comes to OS C EN
Sharma & dead end
Udayan
Namboodiri
2 Agra Vir Sanghvi The Pervez Musharraf OS C N
breakfast show
3 Agra Pramit Pal Where do India, Pak MS N SP
Chaudhuri go from here?
4 Agra Soni “Indian warmth MS P SP
Sangwan welcome surprise”
5 Agra Vinay Menon Who is real villain of MS C SN
peace
6 Agra Report PM for broad based OS N SN
approach
7 Agra PTI & AFP Here is how MS C SN
Musharraf wants the
Kashmir tangle
resolved
8 Agra Pramit Pal Hopes a t dawn gave AS C N
Chaudhuri way to gloom at dusk
9 Agra HT Corresp. Negotiators from hell AS C N
The paper in the front page reported that the summit had failed and the two sides could
not agree on a joint statement. “I am disappointed to inform all of you that although the
commencement of a process and beginning of journey has been made, the destination of
an agreed joint statement has not been reached,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman
said.195 Vir Sanghvi wrote about the breakfast meeting with Musharraf, saying he
dragged Kashmir in everything, and perhaps spoiling the entire show. Pramit Chaudhuri
reported that it was not known where the two sides were going after failure of the
summit. The uncertainty was due to lack of any announcement about the future of talks.
195
Vinod Sharma and Udayab Namboodiri, “Summit comes to dead end,” Hindustan Times, July 17, 2001.
225
Soni Sangwan wrote about Pakistan media team, drawing parallel between the old
generation and the new that people born around partition were more stubborn in ties with
India while the younger people were more accommodative. The paper reported that
Sushma Swaraj was blamed for allegedly wrecking the summit, though it was none of her
faults. The paper also carried the initial remarks of Vajpayee at the summit who talked
about making the ties broad-based. PTI and AFP reported about Musharraf’s three-step
policy to resolve the Kashmir dispute. Pramit Chaudhuri traced how the mood and tone
of the summit changed from the morning to evening when it was declared as a failure.
The paper said that Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar played key role in the failure as he was
a hardcore diplomat and refused to give concessions on the joint statement.
July 18
The coverage went down on the day and there were just three stories.

No
1 New Delhi HT Corresp. Tough-talking AS C N
General surprises
PM’s team
2 Washington S. It will be long, OS N SN
Rajagopalan difficult process: US
3 New Delhi HT Corresp. Media was the third OS C SN
party at the summit,
says J N Dixit
The paper quoted an official saying that Musharraf’s tough talk on Kashmir with editors
at the breakfast meeting was a shocker for the Indians. They came to know about it when
TV channels all over India were beaming his hard hitting conversation and Musharraf
was having one-on-one meeting with Vajpayee. At this time a piece of paper was passed
on to Vajpayee to formulate his position. For the Indians, it was end of the summit. The
United States had welcomed the peace talks but said it will be a long and difficult
process. Former Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit in a panel discussion said that media was
the third party and played a role in the failure of the summit.
226
July 19
There was further dip in the coverage.

No
1 New Delhi Surabh CBMs hit reality AS C N
Shukla hurdle: Forces object
to opening visa posts
2 New Delhi HT Corresp. No draft, just OS C N
disagreement: India
The paper reported that a slew of CBMs announced by Vajpayee government had hit
snags as the security forces objected to the opening of posts in Kashmir. Indian
spokeswoman Nirupma Rao said no agreement was reached at Agra, so Simla and Lahore
documents were still the basis of talks with Pakistan.
July 20
The coverage improved in terms of numbers and the paper published four stories.
Table 4.28: The Hindustan Times Coverage on July 20

No
1 Washington S. ‘No US agenda for OS N SN
Ragagopalan Indo-Pak talks’
2 New Delhi Udayan Pakistan dumps visa AS P SP
Namboodiri rules for Musharraf’s
press conference
3 New Delhi HT Corresp. Agra ‘draft’ is OS C N
Pakistan ace
4 New Delhi Saroj Nagi No structured OS C N
Agenda, no Pak visit:
Vajpayee
The United States in reaction to Pak-India talks said that it will not set the agenda or play
a role of a mediator but will only encourage sustained dialogue. The paper reported that
20 India journalists were given visas in record time and some of the confirmed
227
passengers were offloaded to let them fly to Islamabad for a press conference by Pervez
Musharraf.196 Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said in a media
interview that a draft was almost ready with nine areas including Kashmir identified for
the talks. Vajpayee already under criticism for showing softness said ahead of a crucial
parliament session that there was no change in Kashmir policy and he will not visit
Pakistan without a structured agenda for the talks.
July 21
Two stories were published, each one from New Delhi and Islamabad.

No
1 New Delhi HT Corresp. India rejects core OS C N
status for Kashmir
2 Islamabad Vinod Pervez plays both OS C N
Sharma statesman and hawk
Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh rejected that Kashmir was the core issue and said that it
was actually the core of Indian nationalism. Vinod Sharma reported after flying to
Islamabad to attend the press conference by Musharraf that he refused to accept that the
cross border terrorism was an issue and insisted that Kashmir was the main issue.
July 22
The last day of coverage in the stipulated period was limited to just three stories.

No
1 Islamabad Vinod For Musharraf, MS C N
Sharma dialogue is one way
traffic
2 New Delhi Anju Sharma Cong to go for the OS C N
196
Udayan Namboodiri, “Pakistan dumps visa rules for Musharraf’s press conference,” Hindustan Times,
July 20, 2001.
228
jugular over Agra

summit failure
3 Islamabad Mubashir A matter of honour MS N SP
Zaidi
Vinod Sharma in his analysis wrote that Musharraf seems to be in “tearing hurry” and for
him dialogue meant just one thing: discussion on Kashmir. “The message emanating
from his post-Agra press conference last night here is that there can be peace between
India and Pakistan if Vajpayee accepts his diktat and signs on the dotted lines.”197
Opposition Congress party was set to embarrass the government in the parliament for
what it alleged as shoddy performance at Agra. Mubashir Zaidi reported from Islamabad
that people in Pakistan were upset at the failure of the summit.
4.2- Electronic Media and Agra Summit
The Agra Summit was a high-profile activity as Musharraf, considered as the architect of
the Kargil War, was invited by Prime Minister Vajpayee for talks. The visit created
ripples in the electronic media. Though, the practice of live coverage was not common at
that time but Musharraf’s almost every gesture was captured on camera and shown to the
Indian audience. (As already mentioned, three Indian journalists were interviewed for this
part.)
Suhasini Haidar took a critical view of both the timing of the visit and attitude of the
media. She said that the ruling BJP government had invited Musharraf as the Indian
Prime Minister had faith in the peace process, but there were a lot of misgivings and
many people questioned whether it was right time to invite him, barley a year and half
after the Kargil War. She said there were also questions over Musharraf’s authority to
deliver, as he was from the military and not a popular elected leader. “I still remember a
conversation within the ministry of external affairs at the highest level just a week before
the invitation went out, where they said there was no question of talks with Pakistan right
now. So it (Summit) was a shock to the system, to begin with,” she said.198
197
Vinod Sharma, “For Musharraf dialogue is one-way traffic,” Hindustan Times, July 22, 2001.
198
Suhasini Haidar, Interview by Researcher, Islamabad, September 25, 2013.
229
She also said that once the decision was taken for the meeting and it was made clear that
the substantive discussions will be held at the retreat of Agra, the event became the focus
of all. But the process began to unravel soon. The moment Musharraf landed in Delhi,
there was a reception for a lot of people including the Hurriyat leaders that caused its own
problems for the Indian establishment. “It was not the most auspicious of the start for
talks in India. He also came across, at times, like a brusque man.” Haidar said it was quite
odd how he was going to talk with the Indian leader after his role in the Kargil War. She
said he “looked out of place”, which was also reflected in the media at different levels.
She said one of the key events during Musharraf’s visit was the breakfast meeting with
Indian media. It is believed that it might have contributed to the failure of the peace talks
as Musharraf was blunt to portray Kashmir as the central issue of conflict. Haidar said
that the breakfast meeting played role in creating hurdles for peace but already the talks
had run into difficulties.
She said that by the time the breakfast meeting happened, there were talks within the
government about differences between Vajpayee and his Home Minister Advani on how
to go forward. The wording of proposed joint statement also caused a lot of problems.
She said that in such circumstances, the meeting with media only exasperated the tension.
Musharraf’s decision to hold the breakfast meeting was unprecedented. “You do not hold
the kind of briefing he held...You do not hold the kind of briefing, the kind of mammoth
nature before the media before any agreement has been actually forged,” she said.199
Haidar said it was not live briefing as only Pakistan official media was allowed to record
it. But Indian NDTV took the tapes from Pakistan government officials and played them
shortly after the meeting which gave the impression that it was live. The showing of the
meeting by various TV channels came as a shock for the Indian officials. She said people
saw Musharraf delving deep into the kind of agreement he wanted to make with India,
which changed everything. She said that he also talked about Kashmir as being the main
point. “There was no going back after that since it was on television and all over the
199
Haidar, interview.
230
place. Then what followed was just an effort to control the damage, as it was clear, that
the talks will not succeed.”
Haidar holds Musharraf responsible for trying to bend the electronic media in his favour.
She talked about her travel to Pakistan to cover a press conference which Musharraf held
after his return, where the general “went for about three hours” answering the same
questions again which he already addressed in the breakfast meeting. She said the Indian
side concluded that it was already too much. “With the harsh glare of the media “it
became an overdose”, as it was 2001 when live press conferences were rare. “I definitely
think that the breakfast meeting was one big reason for the failure. I don’t think it was the
only one, but it was very large one,” she said.200
She was asked, did Indian electronic media contribute, in some way, to the failure of the
summit. She said: “Absolutely, but once those tapes were out, I cannot think of any TV
channel that would not have run the interview.” She said that Musharraf was not really
doing interviews on that visit and to have the detail of the breakfast meeting was a
“scoop”. When asked “do you thing the way the summit was covered contributed to the
failure”, she said, “Absolutely. The Indo-Pakistan talks even at the best of time are such a
slippery slope. It is so hard to make any gains. The moment it starts, media get into it.”
She was also present in Agra to cover the event and recalled that the places where
Musharraf and Vajpayee were staying were just a strip apart and there were TV camera
everywhere. Hence, everything and every movement were discussed. “It was saturation
coverage at its extreme” and in that kind of glare to run India-Pakistan relations was still
difficult to manage. “It was extremely hard to get something positive when everything
was done before the media,” she said.
Karan Thapar said that the popular Indian view is that the Agra Summit failed because of
Musharraf's breakfast meeting with the Indian media which he said was, “whether
intentionally or accidentally, broadcast live”. (Earlier, Haidar had said that it was
recorded and not live.) He said Musharraf seemed to be both tough and
unaccommodating on the critical issue of Kashmir but also somewhat belligerent in tone
200
Haidar, interview.
231
and manner. “It seemed as if at times he was scoring points. The response and attitude of
some members of the Indian media only seemed to add to the off-putting nature of this
breakfast meeting,” he said.201
He was not categorical to blame Indian electronic media for the failure of the summit.
Though, the coverage of the meeting was considered as a contributory factor to the
failure of the talks. “I am not sure the Indian media contributed to the failure of the
Summit but certainly it underlined and emphasized the hardliner attitude of Gen.
Musharraf as well as his tough answers at the breakfast meeting,” he said.
Thapar reminded that the Indian media is always skeptical of Pakistan and in 2001 of
Musharraf in particular because he was not only the architect of Kargil but was viewed as
the man who had attempted to sabotage the Lahore Accord by his less-than-respectful
attitude towards Prime Minister Vajpayee who was invited by Nawaz Sharif.
Shujaat Bukhari said the Indian media coverage contributed to the failure of the summit
but it was not solely responsible for the fiasco. “There were many other factors which
were responsible for failure at Agra. May be it (media) was a small factor,” he said. 202 He
held Musharraf’s breakfast meeting as one of the main reasons for the failure of the
summit. “In a way I would say yes (the breakfast meeting was one of the main reason for
failure) in the sense that whatever was talked about in Agra Summit…it was cited as one
of the reasons for that.” He said it was intriguing why Musharraf in the breakfast meeting
tried to preempt the decisions or the consensus the two sides were trying to achieve.
Bukhari said Musharraf visit to India was destined to create media hype, as he was the
man who had launched Kargil. “It (media) is a two way thing: it has its own positive
effects and it has its own negative impact”. The failure of the Agra Summit was
something which should not be entirely blamed on media. He also said that Musharraf
tried to clarify a number of things in the meeting with media, but it (media) portrayed
everything in a negative way. The breakfast meeting should have contributed to clarify
things but it worked the other way. Bukhari defended media and said it cannot be blamed
201
Karan Thapar, e-mail to author, May 31, 2013.
202
Shujaat Bukhari, Interview by Researcher, Islamabad, September 27, 2013.
232
as it was a decision of Musharraf to hold the meeting and whatever he said was told live.
“There was no paraphrasing. So media should not be blamed for it,” he said.
4.3- Print Media and Parliament Attack
The Hindu and The Times of India have been used for the coverage. First, the coverage in
The Hindu is presented.
4.3.1- The Hindu
The coverage period is from December 6-20, 2001.
December 6 -7
It was noted that on the first two days of coverage (December 6-7), not a single relevant
story was published in The Hindu.
December 8
There were just two stories
Table 4.31: The Hindu Coverage on December 8

No
1 Jammu PTI Exchange of fire along AS C N
border
2 Washington AFP 39 terrorist group put on OS C SN
visa back list
PTI reported about the exchange of fire on the LoC but no loss of life or property
occurred. AFP reported from Washington that US placed 39 alleged terrorists groups on
visa black list, including those linked with Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Taiba
outfits.
December 9
There was just one story related to Pakistan on the main pages. UNI reported that India
and Pakistan armies traded fire on the LoC.
233

No
1 Jammu UNI India, Pak. exchange fire AS C N
December10
The pattern of stories was same as there was just one story and that from Kashmir about
the violence.

No
1 Jammu Luv Puri Shelling along LoC AS C N
December 11
No relevant story was published.
December 12
It was a day before the parliament attack and there were only two stories.

No
1 New Delhi Special Now, 'Kargil coffin' OS C SN
Corresp. haunts Govt.
2 New Delhi Raja Mohan Pak. allows over flights MS P P
of Indian mission to
Kabul
There was an interesting story about the alleged fraud in the purchase of coffins for the
soldiers killed in the Kargil War. In another story, Raja Mohan reported that Pakistan
allowed second Indian relief mission to Afghanistan to overfly its territory, which was
termed as an important political gesture.
234
December 13
Two stories were carried by the paper on the day of the parliament attack.

No
1 Islamabad Muralidhar Al-Qaeda slipped into OS C SN
Reddy Pakistan?
2 New Delhi Special “Probe Pak. scientist MS C N
Corresp. issue”
Muralidhar Reddy reported from Pakistan that US-led western coalition claimed that
members of al-Qaeda crossed to Pakistan from Tora Bora. The paper had a story about
the Indians getting nervous over reports in the western media that Pakistan sent two of its
nuclear scientists, wanted by the US for questioning for alleged proliferation, to
Myanmar.
December 14
The Hindu published four stories about the parliament attack.

No
1 New Delhi Harish Suicide squad storms MS C N
Kharee Parliament; 5 militants
killed; Army deployed,
2 New Delhi Harish A decisive battle has to MS C EN
Kharee take place: PM
3 Islamabad Muralidhar I am shocked: OS N SP
Reddy Musharraf
4 Islamabad Muralidhar Engineered: OS C EN
Reddy Salahuddin
The paper in the main story reported that Pakistan was not directly blamed for the attack
but the language used had wide implications: “The terrorists brought their decade-old
235
battle against the nation right to the heart of official India.”203 The Indian government
went ballistic over the attack. Vajpayee announced that time had come for a final war
against terrorism. “We will liquidate the terrorists and their sponsors wherever they are,
whosoever they are,'' he said. Advani was more pointed when he said that government
was considering “surgical strikes” across the LoC to target militants. Muralidhar reported
that Musharraf in his first reaction and message to Vajpayee said that he was shocked.
December 15
The tone of media changed with that of the government and stories demanding tough
action against Pakistan got prominent place.

No
1 New Delhi Atul Aneja Lashkar responsible OS C N
for attack, says
Jaswant
2 Islamabad Muralidhar Attack could have OS C EN
Reddy been stage-managed:
Pak.
3 New Delhi Special Police claim `clinching MS C N
Corresp. evidence'
4 New Delhi Harish Khare Govt. under pressure AS C N
to àct'
5 Mumbai Special Destroy terrorist OS C N
Corresp. camps in Pak: VHP
6 Mumbai Mahesh Thackeray wants OS C N
Vijapurkar revenge
Indian named Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for the attack. “In a demarche
delivered by the Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer to the Pakistani High Commissioner
Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, India said that it had enough technical evidence to hold the LeT
responsible.”204 The Pakistani media in response towed the official line that the attack
203
Harish Khare, “Suicide squad storms Parliament; 5 militants killed; Army deployed,” The Hindu,
December 14, 2001.
204
Atul Aneja, “Lashkar responsible for attack, says Jaswant,” The Hindu, December 15, 2001.
236
was “stage-managed” by India to discredit the freedom struggle in Kashmir. Another

story based on the police claims reported that evidence was found regarding the
involvement of LeT. Harish Khare reported that government was under pressure to act in
retaliation of the attack. The extremist VHP urged the government to take the fight across
the border like Israel did. Hardliner Bal Thackeray asked for revenge.
December 16
The day saw six stories which negatively impacted the relations.

No
1 Shantiniketan Malabika We'll respond to OS C EN
(West Bhattacharya terrorism on many
Bengal) fronts: PM
2 Ahmedabad Manas It is for Pak. to act: OS C EN
Dasgupta Advani
3 New Delhi Special India dismisses Pak. AS C N
Corresp. charges
4 Islamabad Muralidhar Ready to act if Delhi OS C N
Reddy gives proof:
Musharraf
5 Kolkata Special We have found out OS C N
Corresp. who are behind it:
PM
6 Patna Staff ISI behind attack: OS C EN
Corresp. Fernandes
Vajpayee in his veiled threat to Pakistan said India will respond to terrorism on many
fronts. Advani said India will watch for a few days for Pakistan to act against the militant
organisations like the LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) before taking the next step. The
paper also had a story in which India dismissed Pakistani charges that the terrorist attack
was stage managed. From Pakistan Muralidhar Reddy reported that Musharraf said
Pakistan was ready to act against militants if India provided evidence. Vajpayee said they
found that Pakistan was behind the attack and it will portray Pakistan as a breeding
237
ground for militancy. Defence Minister George Fernandes said that ISI was behind the
attacks. It was the first time that India named the premier Pakistan intelligence agency for
the attack.
December 17
The paper carried seven stories as war mania was rising in India.

No
1 New Delhi Prashant Jaish, Lashkar carried OS C EN
Pandey out attack with ISI
guidance: police
2 New Delhi Vinay We have strong proof: OS C N
Kumar Advani
3 Washington PTI India must exercise OS C SN
restraint: Powell
4 New Delhi UNI Stop aiding terrorism, OS C N
U.K. tells Pak.
5 New Delhi Special Decision at right time: OS C N
Corresp. Fernandes
6 New Delhi PTI Malik cautions against OS P P
attacks
7 Chennai Special The onus is on Pak., OS C N
Corresp. says BJP chief
The main news was based on a press conference by police that the attack was a joint
operation by the LeT and JeM. Police had already arrested some suspects. Advani told
The Hindu that they had strong evidence about the involvement of both the LeT and JeM.
PTI reported from Washington that the US was getting involved and Secretary of State
Colin Powell urged India to follow restraint. British High Commissioner to India Sir
Robert Young was quoted as saying to Pakistan to stop aiding terrorism. Defence
Minister Fernandes was quoted saying that any decision to respond to the attacks will be
taken at the suitable time. In the frenzy of war hysteria, a saner voice came from the
Indian military when former army chief General V.P. Malik told government that instead
of just blaming Pakistan, it should take into account the consequences of war. BJP
238
President Jana Krishnamurthy said it was for Pakistan to prove that it was serious to
tackle terrorism.
December 18
There were seven relevant stories in the paper.

No
1 New Delhi Harish Advani to spell out AS C N
Khare Govt. stand in
Parliament today
2 New Delhi Special Cong. backs Govt.: OS C SN
Corresp. CPI(M) sounds a note
of caution
3 New Delhi Atul Aneja Army heightens AS C N
vigilance
4 Srinagar Shujaat Pak. troop build-up AS C N
Bukhari causes concern
5 Hyderabad Special `Crossing LoC an OS C N

Corresp. option'
6 New Delhi PTI Advani counsels OS C N
patience
7 New Delhi PTI Omar rejects Pak. offer OS C N
Harish Khare reported that Home Minister Advani was expected to spell out the official
response to the attack. He was also supposed to send a tough message to the attackers.
The paper also reported that Congress threw unconditional support behind the
government to deal with the attack but CPI (M) opposed military action as it would flare
up into a full scale war. Atul Aneja reported that army had increased it vigil after the
reported mobilization by Pakistan. Shujaat Bukhari reported from Srinagar that Pakistan
increased its movement on the LoC. Union Minister for Rural Development Venkaiah
Naidu was reported as saying that India may cross the LoC. Advani said that appropriate
action will be taken. Another minister Omer Abdullah rejected Pakistan’s peace offer.
239
December 19
There were nine relevant stories.

No
1 New Delhi Special Attack aimed at wiping OS C EN
Corresp.out top leadership:
Advani
2 New Delhi Special PM rejects call for OS C EN
Corresp. joint probe
3 New Delhi Pranab Dhal Pak. markings on AS C N
Samanta weapons
4 Islamabad Muralidhar Advani's statement is OS C N
Reddy inflammatory:
Islamabad
5 Washington PTI U.S. asks Pak. to OS C SN
control terrorist
activities
6 New Delhi Special War should be the last OS C N
Corresp. option: Opposition
7 New Delhi Special Pak. designs will be OS C N
Corresp. foiled: Omar
8 New Delhi Special Armed forces for AS C N
Corresp. weighing all
possibilities
9 Lucknow Special Mayawati for OS C N
Corresp. consensus on strikes
across LoC
Advani’s statement that the attack aimed at killing the top leadership of India was the
main news of the day. He also blamed ISI for sponsoring the attack. In another story,
Vajpayee rejected joint probe offered by Pakistan. It was also reported that the weapons
used had markings of Pakistan Wah Nobel group of companies on the detonators.
Muralidhar Reddy reported that Pakistan said India was trying to implicate it in the
attacks.
PTI reported from Washington that US asked Pakistan to control militants and that India
had right to defend itself. The Indian opposition parties supported government for any
240
suitable action. Omer Abdullah said India was firm against terrorism and will foil designs
of Pakistan. There was a story that army was weighing all options to deal with the
situation. Bahaman Samar Party leader Mayawati asked government to create consensus
before attacking the terrorist camps.
December 20
The number of stories had increased but the tone was same: anti-peace and pro-war.

No
1 New Delhi Special All options are open: OS C N
Corresp. PM
2 New Delhi Special Sonia pledges full OS C N
Corresp. support
3 Washington Sridhar Pak. has obligation to OS C N
Krishnaswami check terrorism: U.S.
4 New Delhi Special We're watching Pak. OS C N
Corresp. build-up: Army Chief
5 Islamabad Muralidhar Pak. denies build-up OS C N
Reddy
6 Islamabad Muralidhar Pakistan insists on a OS C N
Reddy joint probe
7 New Delhi Special A struggle between MS C N
Corresp. democracy and
terrorism, says
Advani
8 New Delhi K.K. Katyal PM-Musharraf talks MS C N
unlikely during
SAARC summit
9 New Delhi Atul Aneja India ready for AS C N
combat if need be
10 New Delhi Special `Human bomb called AS C N
Corresp. Karachi twice'
Vajpayee was reported as saying that all options to deal with the attack on parliament
were open. Opposition leader Sonia Gandhi said her party will give full support to the
government on the issue of terrorism. There was a report from Washington that Pakistan
had obligation to deal with terrorism. Similarly, a routine report about army which said it
241
was watching Pakistani moves on the border and LoC was also carried by the paper.
Muralidhar Reddy sent two reports from Islamabad that Pakistan denied the military
build-up and that it insisted on a joint probe. Home Minister Advani said in the
parliament that the attack was “audacious and unprecedented” and it shows the struggle
between democracy and terrorism. K.K. Katyal said any meeting between Musharraf and
Vajpayee was not possible at the SAARC Summit in Nepal. Atul Aneja reported India
was trying to get the international support to put pressure on Pakistan for an action
against groups like the LeT and JeM. It was reported that one of the attackers made two
calls to Karachi.
4.3.2- The Times of India
The Times of India is a leading newspaper and having the largest circulation in India. It
has been selected as the second paper to see the coverage of the parliament attack in the
Indian media. The time period of the coverage is: December 6-20, 2001.
December 6
There was only one story and it was about a book on the founder of Pakistan.
Table 4.43: The Times of India Coverage on December 6

No
1 Mumbai PTI New book on Jinnah OS C SN
irks Pakistanis
The paper carried a PTI story about Rafique Zakria’s book on Jinnah which was criticised
by Pakistanis including the High Commissioner in India for not being impartial.
December 7
Again, there was just one Pakistan related story.

242

No
1 New Delhi Manoj Joshi Pak help to nab AS C SN
Osama sought
Manoj Joshi reported that Pakistan hid the presence of Osama bin Laden in Tora Bora till
the allied forces were tipped-off about him by the northern alliance and an attack was
launched.
December 8
The paper published two anti-Pakistan stories.

No
1 New Delhi TNN Pak govt proposes, ISI MS C EN
disposes?
2 New Delhi TNN Qanooni blasts Pak OS C N
for its role in
terrorism
The paper through its Times News Network (TNN) said Pakistan troubles were far from
over after Taliban lost Kandahar as ISI support for the militants was putting Pakistan in
an “embarrassing position”. Afghan Interior Minister Younus Qanooni during a visit to
India lashed Pakistan for allegedly supporting militancy.
December 9
There were six stories and all were in the category of negative.

No
243
1 New York PTI US had warned Pak to MS C N

bridle ISI in 1992:
Report
2 New Delhi TNN Pak nuclear experts MS C N
may have al-Qaeda
links
3 Jammu PTI Indian, Pak troops AS C EN
exchange fire along
LoC
4 Islamabad PTI Pak's plans to sell MS C SN
submarines suffers
setback
5 Islamabad PTI Pak denies setting AS C SN
border inside Afghan
territory
6 New York PTI Pak banks in US AS C SN
banned from cash
dealings
PTI from New York reported that US had warned Pakistan about the alleged activities of
ISI in Kashmir and Afghanistan.205 The paper also had another report by the New York
Times that US was seeking to interrogate two Pakistan’s nuclear scientists who were
hiding in Myanmar for their alleged links with al-Qaeda. PTI reported exchange of fire
between troops in Kashmir. It also reported from Islamabad that Pakistan’s plans to sell
Agosta 90-B submarines got a jolt when the only buyer Malaysia decided not to buy
them. Another PTI report from Islamabad said that Pakistan denied setting up posts inside
Afghanistan territory. Also, there was a story from New York that US stopped Pakistani
banks to deal in cash.
December 10
There was just one story as PTI reported from US that Washington Post criticised
Pakistan for expelling its correspondent of Indian origin, Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

No
205
“US had warned Pa to bridle ISI in 1992: Report,” The Times of India, December 9, 2001.
244
1 Washington PTI Pak ill-treating MS C SN

scribes of Indian
descent: Post
December 11
The number of published stories went up to six.

No
1 Tokyo PTI PM warns Pak OS C SN
against interfering in
J&K polls
2 Islamabad PTI Pak arrests 20 Laden MS C N
associates at Afghan
border
3 Washington Chidanand Indo-Pak sideshow in MS N SP
Rajghatta Afghanistan worries
US
4 New Delhi PTI Differences crop up MS C SN
between Hurriyat,
Pak
5 Dubai PTI Reform Pak OS N SP
madrassas, says
Imran Khan
6 Islamabad PTI Vajpayee’s remarks OS C N
unfortunate: Pak
Prime Minister Vajpayee warned Pakistan in Tokyo over creating hurdle in the Kashmir
elections. PTI reported that Pakistan arrested at least 20 al-Qaeda operatives who were
trying to sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan. Chidanand Rajghatta in his analysis said
that the rivalry between Pakistan and India was worrying the US. PTI reported about the
differences between APHC and Pakistan over efforts of Islamabad to create a parallel
body. Imran Khan was reported as saying that the religious seminaries should be
reformed. Pakistan said that Vajpayee’s remarks that the atmosphere for talks was not
conducive were “unfortunate”.
245
December 12
There were three reports a day before the parliament attack.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Pak wants world to OS P SP
persuade India for
talks
2 Jammu PTI Villager killed, three AS C N
injured in Pak firing
3 New Delhi PTI India wants probe into OS C SN
Pak's links with
Taliban
Pakistan urged the international community to ask India to start the peace talks. PTI
reported that firing by Pakistan killed one villager in Kashmir while three were injured.
PTI also reported that India sought proper investigation of reports about the links
between Pakistan and Taliban.
December 13
Six stories were published on the day of the parliament attack.

No
1 New Delhi Reporter Osama has fled to MS C SN
Pakistan: Report
2 Islamabad Reporter Pak scientists briefed AS C N
Osama on nuke
3 New Delhi TNN & US, Pak condemn MS N SP
agencies attack
4 New Delhi PTI Abdullah dismisses OS C SN
Pak's worries
5 Rajkot TNN Rajkotians see Pak MS C N
hand in attack
6 New Delhi PTI Pakistan Zindabad, AS C EN
said one militant
246
There was a story that Osama had fled to Pakistan through the porous border. The paper
also reported that a Pakistani nuclear scientist had met Osama bin Laden to discuss about
the nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.206 According to another report, the US and
Pakistan condemned the parliament attack. Musharraf said he was shocked and sent a
message to Vajpayee. PTI reported that Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah
rejected Pakistan’s concerns about his visit to India. The paper had news from Rajkot
based on vox pox that people said Pakistan was involved in the attack. In another
Pakistan specific news item, the paper said that one of the militants said Pakistan
Zindabad (long live Pakistan) before being killed by the security forces.
December 14
There were four stories connected with Pakistan.

No
1 New Delhi Siddharth Govt names Lashkar, OS C EN
Srivastava tells Pak to act
2 Islamabad PTI 'Pak will study OS C N
evidence against
Lashkar, Jaish'
3 Islamabad PTI Pak troops on high MS C EN
alert along LoC:
Report
4 Panaji TNN & Declare Pak a OS C EN
Agencies terrorist state,
demands VHP
Siddharth Srivastava reported that Indian government asked Pakistan to take measures
against the LeT and JeM. It was first official indictment of Pakistan-based organisations
for allegedly carrying out the attack. PTI reported that Pakistan in response to the
allegations said it will examine the evidence against the two entities. PTI also quoted
media reports that Pakistan put troops on high alert after the attack. The paper also
reported that extremist VHP had asked India to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state.
206
“Pakistani scientist briefed Osama on nuke,” The Times of India, December 13, 2001.
247
December 15
There were five stories, which were all negative for Pak-India relations.

No
1 Panaji TNN Take tough stand OS C EN
with Pakistan: VHP
2 New Delhi PTI All five terrorists AS C EN
were Pakistanis
3 Ahmadabad Agencies Pakistan asks for OS C N
proof, India gives it
time
4 Islamabad Agencies Pak troops on alert in OS C EN
Indian border
5 Jammu PTI Pak shelling along AS C EN
Line of Control
The paper ran news of VHP on the second consecutive day, calling government to take
tough stand against Pakistan. PTI reported that all five terrorists were Pakistanis. The
news was based on “highly placed sources”. The paper also said the Indian government
will wait a few days to see the measures taken by Pakistan against the LeT and JeM. A
story based on the reports of agencies said that Pakistan military leader issued a general
alert to the forces on the border after India blamed organisations based in Pakistan for the
attack. PTI reported from Jammu that Pakistan troops had resorted to shelling in different
areas of the LoC which was responded by India.
December 16
The paper published seven stories.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Pak wants to join OS C SN
probe into Parliament
attack
2 New York PTI US to increase AS C N
248
pressure on Pak to
curb JeM, LeT
3 New Delhi TNN & Jaish carried out OS C EN
agencies attack with ISI help
4 New Delhi PTI Jaish wants to avert AS C N
punitive action
5 Lahore Rashme Musharraf is Enemy MS C N
Sehgal No 1: Jehadis
6 Beijing PTI China likely to urge AS C N
Musharraf to rein in
J&K militants
7 New Delhi PTI We have proof against OS C EN
Lashkar: George
PTI reported that Pakistan's defence spokesman, Major General Rashid Qureshi, told
BBC that his country wanted to join the Indian probe into the parliament attack. PTI in its
dispatch from New York said quoting officials that US was upping pressure on Pakistan
to take action against the LeT and JeM. Delhi Police Commissioner Ajai Raj Sharma told
media that the parliament attack was a joint effort by LeT and JeM and “by default
Pakistan's ruling military regime must also have been aware of the plot to attack
parliament”.207
Separately, the paper quoted official sources that JeM was denying involvement in the
attack to avoid punitive actions. Rashme Sehgal reported from Lahore that Musharraf
was enemy of the jihadi organizations in Pakistan and they wanted to remove him from
the scene. The report also said that militants wanted to provoke a war between Pakistan
and India. PTI reported from Beijing that during his visit to China, Musharraf will be
asked by his hosts to control militancy in Kashmir. Indian Defence Minister George
Fernandes said they had enough evidence to link LeT with the attack. He also said that
the group cannot launch the attack without support of its patrons in ISI.
December 17
The coverage had increased but the quality and tone was similar to the previous days.
207
“Jaish carried out attack with ISI help,” The Times of India, December 16, 2001.
249

No
1 New Delhi PTI India debunks OS C SN
Pakistan's offer of
joint probe
2 Islamabad TNN Pakistanis in India AS C N
helping militants
3 Varanasi TNN People want action OS C N
against Pak terrorists:
Thakre
4 Washington PTI Osama, Omar escape OS C SN
to Pak: Reports
5 New Delhi PTI CCS discusses Pak OS C N
troop movement
along LoC
6 Jammu PTI 'Pak troops resorting AS C EN
to hit-and-run
guerrilla tactics'
7 New York PTI 'Pak scientists MS C SN
suspected of Osama
links freed'
8 Washington PTI Taliban power base MS C SN
remains intact: Pak
9 Islamabad PTI Jaish denies hand in OS C SN
attack on Parliament
10 New Delhi TNN Points man of Jaish MS C N
leader arrested
Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Omar Abdullah rejected Pakistan’s offer for a joint probe
by saying that Pakistan was not serious. "Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was quick enough to
own the responsibility for the October 1 attack on Jammu and Kashmir state assembly
which was later withdrawn following pressures from ISI," Abdullah said208 The paper
also reported that some Pakistan nationals entered India on short visits to help the
militants. Former BJP President Kushabhau Thakre said people of India wanted
retaliatory action against Pakistan-based terrorists. PTI reported from Washington that
media reports said Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar escaped to Pakistan.
208
“India debunks Pakistan’s offer for joint probe,” The Times of India, December 16, 2001.
250
As the situation remained tense, Indian Cabinet Committee on Security discussed reports
that Pakistan troops were making movements along the LoC. PTI reported from Jammu
that Pakistan soldiers were being sent to the LoC to carry out hit and run attacks. PTI
reported from New York that two Pakistani nuclear scientists arrested for links with bin
Laden were released. PTI also reported from US that Washington Post reported Taliban
were defeated but their power base was intact in Pakistan. The wire reported from
Pakistan that JeM denied its role in the attack. Separately, the paper reported that a
certain Tariq was arrested who was a point man of JeM and a link between the
organisation and its Indian supporters.
December 18
The paper carried five reports.

No
1 New Delhi PTI 'Pakistanis prefer MS N SP
Benazir or Sharif to
Musharraf'
2 Beijing PTI Pakistan a victim of OS C N
terrorism: Musharraf
exchange fire along
LoC
4 Pathankot TNN Man in Gurdaspur OS C N
caught spying for Pak
5 Srinagar PTI Cool down, Yasin OS P P
Malik urges India, Pak
PTI reported that the results of the local government elections in Pakistan showed that
people were likely to elect Benazir Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif as new prime minister instead
of incumbent President Pervez Musharraf. PTI also reported from Beijing that Musharraf,
who was visiting China, said Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and will fight it in all its
manifestations. The same newswire filed from Jammu that troops of Pakistan and India
traded fire on the disputed border line. It also reported that an Indian man spying for
251
Pakistan was caught from Gurdaspur in Punjab. A voice of reason came from Srinagar
where JKLF leader Yasin Malik asked both India and Pakistan to cool down.
December 19
The coverage peaked on the day as there were ominous 13 stories.

No
1 New York PTI Al-Qaeda fighters slip AS C SN
into Pakistan: Report
2 New Delhi TNN India dismisses Pak OS C N
demand for proof
3 Ferozepur Yudhvir Army movement MS C EN
Rana and along Pak border
Dinesh K
Sharma
exchange fire, three
injured
5 New Delhi TNN New leads strengthen AS C EN
Pak connection
6 Washington PTI Fight terrorism OS N SP
together, US tells
India, Pak
7 Beijing PTI 'Pak welcomes OS C SN
international
mediation on
Kashmir'
8 New Delhi TNN Hand over Azhar and OS C N
Dawood: Advani to
Pak
9 Kabul PTI 'Pak still has designs OS C SN
on Afghanistan'
10 New Delhi PTI Markings of Pak AS C N
company found on
grenades
11 Islamabad PTI Franks discusses MS C SN
Indo-Pak tension with
Musharraf
12 Beijing PTI China not to support OS C SN
Musharraf's Kashmir
agenda
252
13 Islamabad PTI Benazir asks OS P SP

Musharraf to defuse
tensions with India
PTI filed from New York that US officials said several al-Qaeda fighters slipped into
Pakistan after attack on Afghanistan. The paper also reported that the Indian foreign
ministry rejected a suggestion by Pakistan to place any evidence regarding the parliament
attack against Pakistan before the UN. There was a report based on the visit of journalists
to border villages that Indian troops were taking positions in bunkers. In the rising
tension, PTI reported from Jammu that the troops exchanged fire. The paper had its
exclusive report based on the police sources that the terrorists involved in the parliament
attack remained in touch with their handlers in Karachi. PTI had a pro-peace report from
Washington that US asked both India and Pakistan to join hands in the fight against
terrorism.
Musharraf said in Beijing that Pakistan will welcome international efforts to settle the
Kashmir issue. Home Minister Advani asked Pakistan to hand over Masood Azhar and
Dawood Ibrahim. On a different note, the paper had a PTI report from Kabul quoting an
Afghan official that Pakistan wanted to control its war-torn neighbour. There was a PTI
report based on Delhi police sources that marking of a Pakistani company, Wah Noble
Industries, was found on the grenades used in the attack on the parliament. PTI reported
from Islamabad that CENTCOM chief General Tommy Franks telephoned Musharraf and
discussed the tension with India. From Beijing PTI reported that China may not support
Pakistan’s agenda on Kashmir as it asked Musharraf to solve the issue through the
peaceful means. The same newswire reported from Pakistan that former Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto asked Musharraf to defuse the tension.
December 20
The paper published nine stories as the coverage of the incident concluded.

No
253
1 Washington Chidanand US hot pursuit inside AS C SN

Rajghatta Pakistan under secret
deal
2 New Delhi TNN Army ready to meet OS C N
Pak threat:
Padmanabhan
3 Washington Chidanand World media blames MS C N
Rajghatta, Pak for terrorism
TNN
4 Jammu PTI India, Pak exchange AS C EN
fire in Naushera
5 Beijing PTI China concerned over OS C N
India-Pak tension
6 United PTI Annan urges India, OS N SP
Nations Pak to cool down
7 Islamabad PTI Chances of PM- OS C N
Musharraf meet get
more bleak
8 New Delhi TNN India shows the world OS C N
proof against LeT,
Jaish
9 Srinagar PTI Jaish threatens MS C N
'shocking attacks'
across India
Chidanand Rajghatta reported from Washington that US Special Forces started operating
inside Pakistan under a secret deal to hunt down the militants. Indian army chief General
Sunderajan Padmanabhan said at the sidelines of a seminar that army was ready for any
threat from Pakistan. Chidanand Rajghatta reported from Washington that the world
media was blaming Pakistan for supporting terrorism.209 PTI said the troops of Pakistan
and India had traded fire in Kashmir. PTI also filed from Beijing that China was
concerned at the escalation of tension. From the UN headquarters, PTI said that the world
body was concerned at the tension.
From Islamabad, PTI had a report, based on the statement of Foreign Minister Abdul
Sattar that his country was ready to engage with India. The TNN reported that Indian
spokesperson Nirupma Rao had said that they had evidence that LeT and JeM were
209
Chidanand Rajghatta, “World media blames Pak for terrorism,” The Times of India, December 20, 2001.
254
involved in the attack. PTI reported from Srinagar that JeM denied involvement in the
attack but threatened to carry out shocking attacks in some major cities of India.
4.4- Electronic Media and Parliament Attack
The parliament attack was the first major test of ties during a crisis situation after the
goodwill created by the Agra talks. The experts differ on the role of media in blowing out
the attacks to the extent that outbreak of a nuclear war looked imminent.
Suhasini Haidar said she got into the parliament building for regular coverage about 20
minutes before the attack. When it started, the crew of about 20 TV channels was
positioned to cover it live, which made a huge impact. However, she maintained that
despite being live, the coverage was not “as warlike as after the Mumbai attacks” of
2008. She said the actual media war started when India decided to mobilize the troops
and TV channels flared it up. Media had no major role in the mobilization, as it was a
decision by the government. “It was definitely the government which first pointed finger
at Pakistan. I remember PM advisor giving off-cam briefing. It was clear that government
had decided to take it up a notch,” said she.210
She noted that after the parliament attack, there were a lot of electronic media coverage
due to a series of linked events like the mobilization, the Parakarm and the Kathmandu
SAARC Summit. The summit came into focus due to the media interest about whether
Vajpayee and Musharraf will meet on the sidelines. She said the coverage had increased
but media was not driving the events. “It was genuinely driven by the government which
wanted to show that it means business.”
When she was asked about any link between the coverage of the parliament attack and
the Indian government decision to mobilize army, Haidar said it was government which
took the decision as the attack was a huge issue and the reaction of public as well as
government was genuine. To another question, whether media was on the side of peace or
war or neutral, she said that “media in India was definitely for a very very strong reaction
to the attack.”
210
Haidar, interview.
255
She also noted some previous incidents and said the government was already on the back
foot due to events like plane hijacking incident which led to the release of Masood Azhar
when Indian Defence Minister took him to Kandahar. It was still fresh in the minds of the
people when Indian government in a short span of time determined that JeM outfit of
Azhar was involved in the parliament attack. It increased the pressure on media but the
government was leading the whole show and not the media. At the same time, the Indian
government was also afraid of the media backlash, and when the incident of a meeting of
Pak-India foreign ministers in Kathmandu was reported, the Indian government
vehemently denied it, as it did not want to give the impression of its minister’s meeting
with the Pakistani counterpart. “It all shows that the government was controlling the
events after the parliament attack,” concluded Haidar.
Karan Thapar was less categorical about the quality of media coverage and apportioning
the blame after the parliament attack, and said he was not sure who first blamed Pakistan
or Pakistan-based groups for the attack on the parliament. He said it did not really matter
as public at large was convinced about the “perpetrators”. He also expressed inability to
determine if the media coverage of the parliament attack influenced the Indian
government's decision to mobilize the army but said “certainly it would have put pressure
on the government to take a tough action”. He also said the government, anyway, was
inclined towards a strong reaction to the attack.
Shujaat Bukhari said media had no mechanism to investigate the cases like parliament
attack immediately and it depended on the official sources. He said Pakistan was first
blamed on the evening of the attack and the information came from the government.
“Anything which comes to the media essentially comes through the government sources.
In an attack like the one on parliament, the first reaction about the involvement of
Pakistan was not from media,” he said.211
He also said that the important question was that media should have filtered the
information provided by the government. If media blindly used the information in the
way the government wanted, then “media was not (behaving in a) responsible (way)”, he
211
Bukhari, interview.
256
said. Bukhari criticised the media coverage and said media hype was not always good for
the peace between Pakistan and India.
Bukhari did absolve the media of provoking the tension between the two countries after
the attack but also said that media should use the information provided by the authorities
with sagacity. He said there were always vested interests in the government which
wanted to plant the information. He gave an example and said that after the parliament
attack, media played role in implicating a university lecturer Abdul Rehman Gilani, who
was later released by the court. He also criticised the conviction of another accused Afzal
Guru and said there were flaws in the trial. He said that in the case of Gilani, media
played a responsible role which was missing in the case of Guru.
4.5- Print Media and Military Standoff
The two papers selected for the coverage of the military standoff are The Hindu and The
Tribune. The coverage has been dispersed over ten month period to get a better view of
the standoff which continued for about a year. First five days of each January, June and
October have been used for coverage.
4- Escalation: Jan 1-5

5- Escalation on Peak: June 1-5
6- De-escalation: Oct 1-5
First, the coverage in The Hindu is presented below.
4.5.1- The Hindu
The coverage period for escalation is January 1-5, 2002.
January 1
There were nine stories in the paper, linked with Pak-India tension.
Table 4.58: The Hindu Coverage on January 1

No
1 New Delhi Atul Aneja Pak. arrests a step OS P SP
257
forward: Jaswant
2 Islamabad Muralidhar A positive signal: OS P SP
Reddy Islamabad
3 Islamabad Muralidhar Former Lashkar chief OS C N
Reddy arrested
4 New Delhi Harish Khare PM extends a `hand of OS P SP
alliance' to Pak.
5 Islamabad Muralidhar Musharraf to avoid OS C N
Reddy Indian airspace
6 Attari Sarabjit They leave for Pak. MS N SP
Pandher with misty eyes and
memories
7 Somewhere PTI `Tough measures if OS C N
in the diplomacy fails'
western
border
8 New Delhi Special BJP backs PM's MS C N
Corresp. decision not to meet
Musharraf
9 Jammu Special Four Pak. soldiers AS C EN
Corresp. killed in firing
Atul Aneja reported that India welcomed the arrest of Hafiz Saeed, chief of LeT and
Masood Azhar, head of JeM, along with 50 of their supporters. In a related development,
Pakistan welcomed the possibility of meeting between the foreign ministers of the two
countries on the sideline of the SAARC conference in Kathmandu. Separately, it was
reported that Pakistan arrested Hafiz Saeed under the intense international pressure.
Vajpayee extended hand of alliance towards Pakistan if it was ready to join global efforts
against terrorism. Muralidhar Reddy reported that Musharraf will attend the SAARC
Summit in Nepal but will avoid Indian airspace.
Sarabjit Pandher reported from Attari railway station that the last passengers had boarded
the Samjhota Express which was being discontinued from January 1 due to the rising
tension. He tried to present the human element of the tragedy as common people were
suffering due to the tension. George Fernandes warned Pakistan of tough measures if
diplomacy failed, according to PTI. Vajpayee got support from BJP on not meeting
Musharraf during the SAARC Summit. As the tension increased, firing started on the
LoC and the paper reported that a Pakistani soldier was killed.
258
January 2
The paper published five stories on the day.

No
1 New Delhi Special Jaswant non- OS C N
Corresp. committal on meeting
Sattar
2 Washington Sridhar Give Musharraf a OS P SP

Krishnaswami chance, says Bush
3 Chennai Special Let us start a dialogue: MS P SP
Corresp. Sattar
4 New Delhi Special 'No further troop AS C N
Corresp. mobilisation'
5 Jammu Special 11 Pakistan soldiers AS C EN
Corresp. killed
In the main story the paper reported that Jaswant Singh was not committed to meet his
Pakistani counterpart in Nepal. Sridhar Krishnaswami reported from Washington that
President George Bush asked India to give a chance to Musharraf to work for peace. The
paper also carried parts of an interview of Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar with A.G.
Noorani who asked India to start a dialogue with Pakistan. Quoting official sources the
paper reported that there was no more mobilization of troops on the border with Pakistan
but the situation was still tense. There was another story through anonymous sources that
11 Pakistan soldiers were killed by India.
January 3
The paper carried five stories and the pattern was similar to the previous day.

No
1 Kathmandu C. Raja India yet to decide on MS C SN
Mohan bilateral meeting with
Pak.
259
2 Islamabad Muralidhar ISI 'ordered' to keep MS C SN

Reddy off jihadi outfits in
J&K
3 Islamabad Muralidhar Justify extradition OS C N
Reddy request: Pak.
4 New Delhi Special Cong. dissatisfied with OS C N
Corresp. Pak. action
5 Jammu PTI 18 Pak. bunkers AS C EN
destroyed
Raja Mohan reported Jaswant Singh had close encounters with Abdul Sattar at
Kathmandu but no proper talks were held. Muralidhar Reddy reported that western
diplomats said that there was a big shift in Pakistan’s policy towards militancy and
Musharraf asked ISI to keep the Islamic fighters off Kashmir by ending support to them.
He also reported that Pakistan was ready to extradite about 20 fugitives who had
allegedly taken shelter in Pakistan after committing crimes in India, provided Delhi gave
substantial evidence of their crime. The paper reported on its national page that
opposition Congress party was not happy with the steps taken by Pakistan to control
militancy after the parliament attack. PTI reported from Jammu that the Indian forces
destroyed at least 18 bunkers of Pakistan troops on the LoC.
January 4
Another five stories were published in the paper.

No
1 Kathmandu C. Raja India hints at giving MS P SP
Mohan more time to Pakistan
2 New York PTI `Military option if OS C N
diplomacy fails'
3 Lucknow J.P. Shukla No proposal to meet OS C N
Musharraf, says
Vajpayee
4 New Delhi Special `Pak. has no intention OS C EN
Corresp. of stopping proxy war'
5 Jammu PTI Army, BSF troops lay AS C N
mines along LoC
260
Raja Mohan reported that India was ready to give some space to Pakistan to take action
against the militants before taking any decision on tough action.212 The paper also quoted
Defence Minister George Fernandes saying that India will wait for the diplomatic efforts
to force Pakistan to take action against the militants but its military option was on the
table if such efforts failed. J.P. Shukla reported that Vajpayee said in Lucknow before
going to Nepal that there was no proposal to meet Musharraf. BJP was reported as saying
that Pakistan was not ready to stop its proxy war against India. PTI reported that the
Indian forces had laid mines along the LoC to stop infiltrations by the Pakistani militants.
January 5
The paper carried eight stories, a mix of positive and negative ones.

No
1 Kathmandu Raja Mohan SAARC summit OS C N
delayed by a day
2 Islamabad AFP Pak. relaxes ban on OS P SP
TV channels
3 Beijing PTI `Pak. curbing OS N SP
terrorism'
4 Islamabad B. Crackdown in Punjab
MS N SP
Muralidhar province
Reddy
5 New Delhi Vinay Kumar Hijackers figure in list AS C SN
sent to Pak.
6 Kathmandu C. Raja `Just a list, no OS C N
Mohan evidence'
7 New Delhi Special V.P. Singh supports OS C N

Corresp. Centre's measures
against Pak.
8 Kolkata PTI ISI spy ring busted, OS C N
Pak. agent nabbed
212
C. Raja Mohan, “India hints at giving more time to Pakistan,” The Hindu, January 4, 2002.
261
Raja Mohan reported from Nepal that the SAARC summit was delayed by one day due to
the late arrival of Musharraf. AFP reported from Islamabad that Pakistan relaxed ban on
the Indian channels which was put in place due to the recent tension. PTI reported from
Beijing that Musharraf said his country was curbing terrorism. Muralidhar Reddy filed
from Islamabad that the crackdown on militancy started in Punjab. Vinay Kumar reported
that the list of 20 wanted men sent to Pakistan consisted of hijackers, terrorists, criminals
and smugglers. Raja Mohan filed that Pakistan termed the list of wanted men as just a list
having not evidence. Former premier V.P. Singh said he will support diplomatic and
military actions against Pakistan to stop terrorism in India. The paper had a PTI report
that Home Secretary A.K. Deb said a spying ring of ISI was busted in West Bengal.
June 1
The period of coverage deals with the “escalation on peak” phase. Total eight stories
were published on the first day of this five-day period.
Table 4.63: The Hindu Coverage on June 1

No
1 Washington Sridhar Infiltration still on: OS C N
Krishnaswami Powell
2 Jammu PTI Shelling continues AS C EN
3 Singapore Amit Baruah Fernandes downplays OS P SP
threat of war
4 New Delhi Atul Aneja Gujral suggests PM, OS P SP
Musharraf meet in
Almaty
5 New Delhi PTI Meeting ruled out OS C N
6 Leh PTI India will be victor: OS C N
Advani
7 Shimla Kanwar Sonia concerned over OS P SP
Yogendra tension on border
8 New Delhi Reporter Time has come for OS C N
decisive action: BJP
Sridhar Krishnaswami reported from Washington that Bush administration criticised

Pakistan for still continuing support for the cross-border militancy. A PTI report said that
262
an Indian soldier was killed in firing by Pakistani forces in Kashmir. George Fernandes
who was more hawkish six months ago had mellowed down and said there was no danger
of war. Former premier I.K. Gujral gave a proposal of meeting between Musharraf and
Vajpayee who were supposed to be together in Almaty to attend a regional conference.
PTI reported that the Indian government has ruled out the meeting. Advani said in Leh
that in case of war with Pakistan, India will come out as victorious. Kanwar Yogendra
reported from Simla that Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the
situation on the border. Bhartiya Janata Party President Jana Krishnamurthi said the time
had come for a decisive action against Pakistan.
June 2
There were only four stories in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Musharraf rules out OS C N
possibility of nuclear
war
2 Leh PTI 'Our action will depend OS C N
on Pak. conduct'
3 New Delhi K.K. Katyal Infiltration not a myth MS C N
4 New Delhi Special `War has never solved MS P SP
Corresp. any issue'
PTI filed from Pakistan that Musharraf said there was no possibility of a nuclear war with
India. He also termed the reports of moving nuclear missiles closer to the border as
baseless. Advani was reported as saying from Leh that Indian actions in future will
depend on Pakistan’s measures against terrorism. K.K. Katyal in his analysis said
infiltration by the Pakistan-based militants was a fact and not a myth. Members of civil
society who met under the banner of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) said peace
can be achieved by cooperation and not by wars.
263
June 3
There were eight stories and most of them were positive, a rarity during tension.

No
1 Almaty Atul Aneja We will respond if OS P SP
Pak. shows results on
ground: PM
2 Almaty Special Putin, Zemin to help MS N SP
Corresp. defuse tension
3 Singapore Amit Ìndia determined but OS C SN
Baruah not impulsive'
4 Dushanbe AFP Musharraf appeals to MS P SP
Vajpayee for peace
talks
5 Almaty Atul Aneja No Indo-Pak. meet in OS C N
Almaty
6 Jammu Reporter Camps for border OS C N
migrants overflowing
7 Sriganganagar PTI Rise in number of MS C SN
(Rajasthan) 'lunatics' in border
areas
8 New Delhi Special Plea to avert Indo- MS P P
Corresp. Pak. military conflict
Atul Aneja reported from Almaty that India relented by saying that it was ready to
respond positively if Pakistan showed readiness to tackle terrorism. The paper also
reported that Vajpayee met Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chinese President
Jiang Zemin. They discussed the current tension with Pakistan and both leaders offered
help to reduce it. Fernandes told international community in Singapore that India will not
attack Pakistan. AFP reported that Musharraf assured his country will not start war. Atul
Aneja said from Almaty that Vajpayee ruled out any talks with Musharraf. There was a
report from Jammu that camps set up for the people displaced from the border region due
to tension were overflowing with the refugees. There was an interesting PTI report from
Rajasthan that number of lunatics had increased in the border areas where authorities
264
suspected that Pakistan was sending its spies in their garbs. In a rare peace plea, over 50
eminent persons from India and Pakistan made an appeal for peace.
June 4
Just three stories about Pakistan could find place on the pages of the newspaper.

No
1 Almaty Atul Aneja Appropriate steps if MS P SP
Pak. keeps its word:
Brajesh
2 New Delhi Sandeep India's parameters for AS C N
Dikshit de-escalation
3 Jammu Agencies Six Pak. soldiers MS C EN
killed
Atul Aneja reported from Almaty that India and Pakistan were giving positive signals
after months of tension. Indian National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra said they will
take steps to reduce tension if promises by Pakistan to target militants were
implemented.213 Sandeep Dikshit reported India linked its de-escalation with Pakistan
taking concrete steps to address the cross-border militancy. There was a report based on
agencies’ dispatches that six Pakistan soldiers were killed in Kashmir due to the firing by
Indian troops.
June 5
The paper published six stories on the day.

No
1 Almaty Atul Aneja Cross-border terrorism OS C N
has to end for talks:
PM
2 Almaty Agencies Serious and positive MS N SP
213
Atul Aneja, “Appropriate steps if Pak. keeps its words: Mishra,” The Hindu, June 4, 2002.
265
signals from
Musharraf: Putin
3 Almaty AP and AFP N-arms possession OS C SN
implies usage:
Musharraf
4 Almaty AP No handshake, eye MS C SN
contact
5 Almaty Atul Aneja Putin has invited us: OS P SP
Musharraf
6 New Delhi Neena Vyas Rumsfeld coming on AS N P
June 9
The main story showed that India was still adamant with its basic demand that Pakistan
should take concrete action against cross-border militancy before any decision to start
talks. Separately, Russian President Putin told Vajpayee that Musharraf was serious and
positive to end the tension. AP and AFP reported Musharraf saying that possession of
nukes implies that they can be used as well under the critical conditions. AP reported
Vajpayee and Musharraf had eye contact but there was no handshake. Atul Aneja
reported Musharraf saying that Putin had invited him to Moscow with a promise to also
invite Vajpayee for possible talks to end the tension. Neena Vyas reported that US
Secretary Defence Ronald Rumsfeld will arrive in India on June 9 to launch a diplomatic
offensive to avert the war. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who
was in Pakistan, was supposed to visit India ahead of Rumsfeld.
October 1
The de-escalation started in the second half of 2002 and was almost complete by October.
As the tension came down due to the de-escalation, the coverage decreased.
Table 4.68: The Hindu Coverage on October 1

No
1 New Delhi Vinay Pakistan must be held OS C N
Kumar accountable: PM
2 New Delhi Special 'Musharraf statements OS C N
Corresp. on Akshardham
unacceptable'
266
Vinay Kumar reported Vajpayee saying that Pakistan must be held accountable for acts
of terror in India. India rejected a statement by Musharraf in which he equated attack in
Akshardham in Gujarat with the killing of Muslims.
October 2
There was only one story. Sridhar Krishnaswami reported that United States Commission
on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) asked Secretary of State to designate India
and Pakistan as “Countries of particular concern'' under the International Religious
Freedom Act of 1998.

No
1 Washington Sridhar U.S. panel for OS C N
Krishnaswami naming India, Pak.
as 'countries of
concern'
October 3
No story was published on the day about Pak-India ties.
October 4
The number was same as previous day: one story but with the negative tone.

No
1 Srinagar Shujaat Infiltration continues: OS C N
Bukhari J&K DGP
Shujaat Bukhari reported that Director-General of the Jammu and Kashmir police Ashok
Suri said the infiltration from Pakistan side of Kashmir was going on.
267
October 5
There were four stories and all were negative. The tension had gone but its bitterness
lingered on.

No
1 New Delhi Amit Baruah 'Pak. failed all tests to OS C N
end cross-border
terrorism'
2 Balasore PTI Akash test-fired AS C N
3 Karachi Muralidhar Pak. tests Hatf-IV OS C N
Reddy missile
4 New Delhi Special 'Pak. missile test a OS C N
Corresp. provocation'
Amit Baruah quoted Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal that Islamabad had failed “all tests"
to end cross-border terrorism. PTI reported that India test-fired surface to air Akash
missile. Muralidhar Reddy reported that Pakistan also fired medium range surface to
surface Hatf-V. India responded by saying that the latest missile test conducted by
Pakistan was "clearly targeted" at the coming general elections in that country. 214
4.5.2- The Tribune
The Tribune is an important newspaper published from Chandigarh in Punjab. It gave

extensive coverage to military standoff and has been used as the second paper for this
section. The coverage for escalation period (January 1-5, 2002) is given below:
January 1
There were 11 stories on the first day of the year.
Table 4.72: The Tribune Coverage on January 1

No
1 New Delhi Rajeev India gives list of 20 AS C N
214
“Pak. missile test provocation,” The Hindu, October 5, 2002.
268
Sharma terrorists
2 New Delhi Tribune Step forward by Pak: OS N SP
News Jaswant
Service
3 New Delhi Tribune PM ready to discuss OS P P
News any issue
Service
4 Kathmandu PTI, UNI SAARC backs India OS N SN
on terrorism
5 London AFP UK urges Pak, India OS P SP
to show restraint
6 Jammu UNI Four Pak soldiers AS C EN
killed
7 Amritsar Our Corresp. 22 families from OS C N
Khalra shift to Patti
8 Attari Ashok Sethi Sun sets on MS N P
(Amritsar) and Pawan Samjhauta Express
Kumar
9 New Delhi Tribune IAF fully prepared: OS C N
News Air Chief
Service
10 New Delhi Tribune BJP against hot OS P SP
News pursuit
Service
Rajeev Sharma reported that India asked Pakistan that arrests of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed
and JeM chief Masood Azhar were just not enough. Arun Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary
(IPA) in the Ministry of External Affairs, summoned Deputy High Commissioner Jalil
Abbas Jilani and gave a list of 20 wanted terrorists and criminals allegedly based in
Pakistan. The paper in another story reported that Jaswant Singh welcomed the arrest of
JeM and LeT leaders. Vajpayee in his new year musings said if Islamabad shed its “anti-
India mentality” and took “effective steps to stop cross-border terrorism,” then “you will
find India willing to walk more than half of the distance to work closely” for resolving
any issue through dialogue.215
The paper also reported that India won the backing of SAARC to its proposal for strong
regional efforts to combat terrorism. AFP reported from London that UK asked both
Pakistan and India to show restraint. UNI reported from Jammu that four Pakistan
215
“PM ready to discuss any issue,” The Tribune, January 1, 2002.
269
soldiers were killed in “Indian retaliatory fire”. Due to panic caused by movement of
forces, families from border areas had started shifting.
Ashok Sethi and Pawan Kumar wrote about the last journey on the train service between
the two countries which faced closure due to the tension. Separately, the paper reported
that Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy, said that IAF was fully
prepared for strikes against the terrorist camps in “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir”. The
paper also reported that BJP said it was not in favour of the hot pursuit or war against
Pakistan. It also welcomed Vajpayee’s decision not to meet Musharraf on the sidelines of
the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu.
January 2
It was day of maximum news item carried by the paper during this coverage slot.

No
1 New Delhi Tribune 10 Pak soldiers killed AS C EN
News in Poonch
Service
2 New Delhi Girja Limited strikes not AS C EN
Shankar ruled out
Kaura
3 Kathmandu PTI, UNI India refuses talks OS C N
with Pak
4 New Delhi Tribune Jaswant awaits OS N SN
News confirmation
Service
5 Kathmandu UNI Pervez feels pinch of AS C N
airspace ban
6 Mumbai UNI Last PIA flight leaves MS C N
for Karachi
7 Kathmandu UNI Terrorism on top of MS C N
SAARC agenda
8 United PTI Talk peace at OS N SP
Nations SAARC, Annan tells
India, Pakistan
9 London AFP Britain wants talks OS N SP
between India, Pak
10 Islamabad PTI Pak police breaks up MS P SP
270
peace rally at Wagah

11 New Delhi Tribune Snapping of air link to OS N SP
News cost Rs 50 crore
Service
12 New Delhi Tribune Offensive on Pak to AS C N
News be BJP poll plank
Service
13 New Delhi Tribune India, Pak exchange OS N SP
News nuke lists
Service
The paper reported quoting sources of defence ministry that 10 Pakistan soldiers were
killed in Kashmir. Girja Shankar Kaura reported quoting sources that the option of
limited strikes against the militants were still on the table, though officially government
had ruled out war. There was news that no meeting was planned between Vajpayee and
Musharraf on the sidelines of SAARC. Jaswant Singh said he was waiting for the
confirmation of his meeting from counterpart Abdul Sattar. UNI reported Pakistan
officials saying that India banned Pakistan flights using its airspace from January 1
despite knowing that Musharraf would have used it to go to Nepal. In a related story UNI
reported from Mumbai that the last PIA flight took off for Karachi.
The paper also reported that India succeeded to push terrorism on the top of agenda in the
SAARC Summit. PTI reported from the United Nations that Secretary-General Kofi
Annan “strongly” urged Vajpayee and Musharraf to “seize the opportunity” provided by
the SAARC Summit to reduce tensions. AFP said Britain wanted talks to end the tension.
PTI reported from Islamabad that an anti-war rally held near Wagah border was forcibly
dispersed by the paramilitary Rangers.
There was an interesting story highlighting the cost of tension, as the paper reported that
Indian aviation officials asked the finance ministry to give them Rs 50 crore which was
the loss it suffered due to snapping of air ties with Pakistan. The paper also said though
the BJP toned down anti-Pakistan rhetoric but it was keen on making all-out efforts to
cash in on the anti-Pakistan mood during assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab,
Uttaranchal and Manipur. A regular type news item was about the ritual of exchange of
list of nukes between Pakistan and India at the start 2002.
271
January 3
There were eight stories in the paper.

No
1 New Delhi Rajeev Sharma How Osama was AS C N
smuggled into
Pakistan
2 Islamabad PTI Pak hands over 85 MS N SN
Al-Qaida men to
USA
3 Kathmandu PTI, UNI US bid to arrange AS C SN
PM-Pervez meeting
fails
4 Kathmandu T.R. Indo-Pak talks in MS C EN
Ramachandran Nepal ruled out,
Jaswant steers clear
of Sattar
5 Kathmandu T.R. Pak plays game of MS C N
Ramachandran one-upmanship
6 London PTI Blair to visit India, OS N SP
Pak on peace
mission
7 Jammu Tribune News 10 Pak soldiers AS C EN
Service killed,
Enemy bunkers
smashed
8 Ferozepore Varinder Villagers ready to MS C N
Walia play soldier
Rajeev Sharma reported how Osama bin Laden was smuggled into Pakistan by Sufi
Mohammed, who had gone into Afghanistan with militants to fight. PTI reported quoting
local newspapers that Pakistan handed over 85 al-Qaeda militants to the US. UNI and
PTI reported from Kathmandu that the US efforts to organise a meeting between
Musharraf and Vajpayee failed. T. R. Ramachandran reported that there was no
indication of meeting between officials and leaders of Pakistan and India during the
SAARC Summit. He in a different report said Pakistani officials were busy using media
to tell the world that they wanted talks with India. PTI reported from London that Tony
272
Blair will visit Pakistan and India on a peace mission. The paper reported that 10 Pakistan
soldiers were killed in Kashmir. Varinder Walia reported from the border areas of
Ferozepore that villagers wanted arms to fight Pakistan in case of war.
January 4
The high coverage continued with seven stories.

No
1 Kathmandu T. R. Jaswant Singh calls OS C N
Ramachandran Pakistan’s bluff
2 Kathmandu T. R. Indo-Pak tension MS C N
Ramachandran looms over SAARC
3 Kathmandu T. R. Gayoom buffer MS C SN
Ramachandran between Vajpayee,
Pervez
4 Kathmandu Tribune News Will there be thaw MS C N
Service in Indo-Pak ties?
5 Jammu UNI Pak may deploy AS C EN
‘strike corps’ on
LoC
6 Lucknow Kanchan India for all possible OS P P
Vasdev steps to avoid war:
PM
7 New Delhi Tribune News Pak’s stance a sham: OS C N
Service BJP
T.R. Ramachandran reported from Kathmandu that Jaswant Singh rejected Pakistani
claim that India had not provided enough evidence against militants.216 In another story
Ramachndran said Maldives President Mamoon Abdul Gayoom will be the buffer
between Vajpayee and Musharraf at the 11th SAARC Summit. The paper also carried an
analytical story about the possible thaw in the Indo-Pak ties but tried to conclude that
Islamabad was trying in vain to resurrect the ties. UNI reported from Jammu that
Pakistan was planning to deploy troops from its 11 and 12 strike corps, stationed in the
216
T.R. Ramachandran, “Indo-Pak tension looms over SAARC,” The Tribune, January 4, 2002.
273
north-western border with Afghanistan. Vajpayee said in Lucknow while on the way to
Kathmandu that India would take all possible steps to avoid war but he refused to have
any bilateral dialogue until Pakistan stopped “cross-border terrorism”. As the Prime
Minister talked of peace, his BJP said Pakistan’s asking ISI to stop backing extremists
was a sham.
January 5
The coverage went further up with 11 stories.

No
1 Kathmandu T. R. Musharraf gets late MS C N
Ramachandran coming via China,
SAARC summit
deferred till today
2 New Delhi Tribune News Summit put off at OS C N
Service India’s behest: Pak
3 Kathmandu T. R. Pak scribes blame MS C N
Ramachandran India for delay
4 Kathmandu UNI Vajpayee, Pervez AS N SP
come face to face
5 Kathmandu UNI, AFP Pak official held MS C SN
with fake notes,
released
6 New Delhi UNI IA to fly back Indian AS C N
staff from Pak today
7 Kathmandu Tribune News No proof given, OS C N
Service counters Pak
8 Jammu Tribune News 11 Pak soldiers AS C EN
Service, UNI killed
274
9 New Delhi PTI Dismantle terrorist OS C N

networks in Pak:
Fernandes
10 Ranchi UNI India ready for any OS C N
exigency: Sinha
11 Hyderabad PTI VHP for stern action OS C N
against Pak
T.R. Ramachandran reported that inauguration of the SAARC meeting was delayed for a
day as Musharraf arrived late. Pakistan spokesman Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal said the delay
in the summit was not due to Musharraf’s arrival. Ramachandran said the Pakistan media
held India responsible for the “hiccups connected with the inauguration of the 11th
SAARC Summit”. UNI reported Vajpayee and Musharraf came face-to-face at a dinner
for the SAARC leaders but only exchanged pleasantries. This was the first time they
came face to face since the failed Agra Summit. UNI and AFP reported a Pakistani
embassy official was caught with the counterfeit US and Indian currencies but released
on the intervention by the Nepali officials. As the tension was peaking, India decided to
send an Indian Airlines Airbus 300 to Pakistan to bring back 55 officials of High
Commission from Islamabad.
The paper using tough anti-Pakistan words said that it continued to harp on the lack of
proof in bringing to book those involved in terror in India. Musharraf’s spokesperson
Rashid Qureshi insisted that India had not provided a “shred of evidence to Pakistan”.
There was a report from Jammu that at least 11 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the
clashes. Defence Minister George Fernandes in an interview to the Far Eastern Economic
Review said Pakistan should destroy terrorism network. Finance Minister Yashwant
Sinha said India was prepared for a “decisive war” with Pakistan if the situation so
warranted. VHP International Working President Ashok Singhal called upon the BJP-led
NDA government for stern action against Pakistan for abetting terrorism.
275
June 1
The escalation peaked in June. The coverage on the first day was limited to three stories.
Table 4.77: The Tribune Coverage on June 1

No
1 London UNI 61 pc of Kashmiris MS C N
want to remain with
India
2 New Delhi Tribune N-threat will not deter AS C N
News Army
Service
3 Pune Agencies Pak missile show OS C N
‘Diwali’
The paper carried a report based on an opinion poll that said about 61 per cent of
Kashmiris want to remain Indian while only 6 per cent want to be Pakistani citizens. It
also reported through sources that the Indian army would not be deterred by the Pakistani
threat to use the nuclear weapons. Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy said India was
fully prepared to counter any threat from Pakistan.
June 2
The pattern was same as previous day as only three stories were published.

No
1 Jammu Tribune 13 Pak troops killed, OS C EN
News bid to blow up
Service Srinagar-Leh highway
276
2 Jammu M. L. Kak Kashmiris want peace MS C N

via war
3 New Delhi Rajeev Pay for flood data, AS C SN
Sharma India tells Pakistan
The paper reported that the Indian troops in a retaliatory fire killed 13 enemy soldiers in
Kashmir. M.L. Kak reported from Jammu that majority of Kashmiris were for “peace via
war” in case Islamabad refuses to stop aiding terrorism. Rajeev Sharma reported that for
the first time since 1947, India demanded money from Pakistan for releasing flood data
of the Indus river system, “thus sending a chilling diplomatic message to the Musharraf
regime”.
June 3
There was slight upward surge and six stories were carried.

No
1 Almaty PTI, UNI PM to talk with Putin OS C N
and Zemin, but not
Musharraf
2 Dushanbe AP Musharraf for one-to- OS P SP
one talks
3 Jammu Tribune Pak shelling AS C EN
News continues, woman
Service killed
4 Ferozepore Kulwinder Army to mine more OS C EN
Sandhu border areas
5 Allahabad PTI Stop war mongering, OS P P
VP tells Centre
277
6 Jodhpur PTI Pak army explodes OS C N

smoke bombs
PTI and UNI reported that Indian PM Vajpayee will meet Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin during the four-day visit to Almaty where he
had gone to attend the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in
Asia (CICA), also being attended by Musharraf. He told media in New Delhi that there
was no plan to meet the Pakistani leader. AP reported that Musharraf told reporters in the
Tajik capital Dushanbe, during a stopover on his way to Almaty, that he was ready to
meet Vajpayee anywhere and at any level for talks.
There was no let-up in the tension and the paper reported that a woman was killed when
Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling in Kashmir. Kulwinder Sandhu quoted
D.K. Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner Ferozepore, that army had already acquired 27,127
hectares (105 square miles), including 350 villages, along the 210 km long international
border in the district to lay mines or construct fortifications. PTI reported that ex-PM
V.P. Singh told the government to stop “war-mongering” and use all diplomatic channels
to counter the Pak-sponsored terrorism. PTI also filed from Jodhpur that Pakistan army
exploded 43 smoke bombs inside its territory along the international border near Barmer
in Rajasthan.
June 4
Only three stories were published.

No
1 Jammu Tribune Six Pak soldiers AS C EN
News killed, guns continue
Service to roar along border
2 Srinagar UNI Jaish commander OS C N
278
killed, houses burnt in

valley
3 Jammu UNI War sirens installed in AS C N
Jammu, Pak constructs
spring top bunkers
along LoC
The paper said artillery and mortar guns continued to roar on the LoC. Sources said six
Pakistani soldiers were killed in the Indian retaliatory fire and several army camps
damaged. UNI said a Pakistan-based commander of the banned JeM was among four
persons killed in Kashmir. Separately, UNI reported that 15 war sirens were installed in
Jammu, while Pakistan army set up nearly 200 “spring top bunkers” across the LoC so
that whenever a mortar shell hit them, the same would ricochet and fall elsewhere to
explode.
June 5
There were seven relevant stories in the paper.

No
1 Almaty PTI, AP India rejects third- OS C SN
party mediation
2 Islamabad UNI Jehadis to announce MS C SN
ceasefire
3 Washington PTI Apply Bush doctrine MS C N
to Pak: Mansingh
4 Santa Clara AP US Indians following MS N SP
(California) stand-off
5 Jammu Tribune 12 Pak soldiers killed AS C EN
279
News
Service
6 Wagah Varinder Indian staffer still in AS C N
Walia and Pak
Pawan
Kumar
7 Islamabad PTI India protests over AS C N
staffer
According to the paper, India denied Musharraf’s claim that Vajpayee had been invited
by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Moscow to defuse the standoff with Pakistan. UNI
reported an interview of Kashmir leader Syed Salahuddin, founder of the Hizbul
Mujahedeen, that they will announce temporary ceasefire.217 PTI reported from
Washington that Indian ambassador Lalit Mansingh asked the US to “apply the Bush
Doctrine on terrorism to Pakistan”. AP reported from Santa Clara (California) that the
American-Indians were keenly following the standoff with Pakistan. In its routine story,
the paper carried a report from Jammu that 12 Pakistan soldiers were killed in Kashmir.
The paper also said that an Indian High Commission staffer at Islamabad, Kulwant Singh,
was not allowed to return to India for the treatment of his injuries sustained during the
alleged torture by ISI. PTI said India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan for preventing
Kulwant Singh return to India.
October 1
The de-escalation had already started and by October it was known that the war was
averted. The Tribune carried only two stories on the first day of this phase.
Table 4.82: The Tribune Coverage on October 1

No
1 New Delhi Tribune Hold Pak accountable: OS C N
News PM
217
“Jehadis to announce ceasefire,” The Tribune, June 5, 2002.
280
Service
2 New Delhi Tribune Pervez ‘interfering’ in OS C N
News Indian affairs
Service
The Tribune quoted Prime Minister Vajpayee that Pakistan must be held accountable for
continuing to sponsor terrorism in India. Separately, India asked Pakistan to set its own
house in order instead of interfering in the affairs of New Delhi.
October 2
There was only one story in the paper, which showed that the tension had come down.

No
1 New Delhi Tribune Terrorism’s epicentre OS C N
News now in Pak: Advani
Service
Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani said the world community should realise that the
epicentre of international terrorism had shifted from Afghanistan to Pakistan.
October 3
No Pakistan related story appeared on the day.
October 4
Like the previous day, there was no story about Pakistan.
October 5
Only four stories were carried by the paper.

No
281
1 Islamabad PTI Pak test-fires Shaheen OS C N

2 Balasore PTI India test-fires Akash OS C N
3 New Delhi Tribune Test provocative, says OS C N
News India
Service
4 New Delhi Tribune Musharraf poor OS C N
News hurdler: Sibal
Service
PTI reported from Islamabad that Pakistan test-fired a medium range surface-to-surface
ballistic missile Hatf-IV, which can carry nuclear warheads and hit targets within the
range of 750 km, covering several parts of India. The newswire also reported that India
test-fired its “most sophisticated” medium range surface-to-air missile Akash. Foreign
Secretary Kanwal Sibal said Pakistan’s test-firing of Hatf-IV missile was “a provocation
to the international community and a further act of irresponsible behaviour.”
4.6- Electronic Media and Military Standoff
The military standoff of 2002 was triggered by the attack on the Indian parliament,
allegedly by militants groups based in Pakistan. The incident pitched the two nuclear-
armed nations against each other.
Talking about the standoff, Suhasini Haidar defended the hyper media: “Media was given
the understanding that there would be a war.”218 She said it was not just a question of
sending troops to the border or the LoC but the soldiers were given orders to dig trenches,
mine the area and the people were being evacuated. “The truth was that the media was
given the idea that the attack was imminent. Clearly, the media was extremely jingoistic
…We are looking at a situation when media thought war will come very soon,” said she.
The government in India also had public support mobilized. It was eventful time as it was
just two years after Kargil and one year after Kandahar hijack when the militants linked
with JeM were released. According to India JeM attacked the parliament. She also said
the media lost touch with the horrors of war and became a part of the national campaign
218
Haidar, interview.
282
to get support for the government decision for war. “The media was extremely poised for
war. It had turned extremely nationalistic,” she said.
Haidar was shocked at the kind of coverage by the Indian electronic media. She said that
at one point during the standoff, media went ahead of the government when there was
attack at an army camp in Kashmir in May, 2002 and 19 people were killed. She said it
was the time when media was convinced that the war was just around the corner. “I was
actually shocked at the kind of coverage I saw,” she observed.
She also said that none of Indian channels were trying to show the dark side of the war
when the warring parties were armed with the nuclear weapons. She said that it was the
CNN which did a series of stories about the consequences of a nuclear war between
Pakistan and India. She could not recall any talk-show or TV program highlighting the
importance of peace and horrors of war, as the two sides stood in eyeball-to-eyeball
position. She said the CNN story created interest and America doubled efforts for ending
th tension.
Karan Thapar response to the question of media coverage of 2002 military confrontation
was that he was not sure about it as he could not recall the coverage of that time.
Shujaat Bukhari agreed with Haidar that media was following the government in creating
a jingoistic atmosphere. He also expressed doubts about the official strategy regarding
operation Parakram as the build-up was code-named. He said that there were many
loopholes and flaws as shown by many reports after the operation. The reports concluded
that Parakram was a failure, according to Bukhari.
He also said that perhaps government was not going for a war but creating pressure so
that Pakistan should control militancy. He also said that the media was not responsible
for the standoff as it was the government’s decision. “I do not think the media was
pushing India to war in operation Parakram. There was media hype but I think that the
government wanted it. The government itself was building it,” he said.219
219
Bukhari, interview.
283
He, however, criticised media for not showing the negative fallout of a war with Pakistan.
He failed to recall major pro-peace stories and comments in the TV talk-shows. When
asked about any stories highlighting the dangers of war or nuclear fallout, he said, “I
think very less in India.”220
4.7- Print Media and Composite Dialogue
The composite dialogue was launched in 2004 and went on for about five years. Its
coverage has been divided into three phases:
4- Launch of Dialogue: January 3-7, 2004

5- Mid-term Review (Around Musharraf visit to India): April 15-19, 2005
6- Final Review (Around Mumbai Train attack): July 9-13, 2006
First, coverage in The Hindu is presented.
4.7.1- The Hindu
The coverage by The Hindu is given below:
January 3
The paper published just three stories.

No
1 Islamabad Amit Baruah Ready for dialogue, OS P P
& ball in India's court:
Muralidhar Pakistan
Reddy
2 New Delhi PTI Interview Cancelled OS C SN
3 Islamabad Islamabad My last attempt at OS C N
Bureau peace, says Vajpayee
A joint by-line by Amit Baruah and Muralidhar Reddy quoted FM Yashwant Sinha that
regional draft agreements on trade and terrorism among the South Asian Association for
220
Bukhari, interview.
284
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations would have a positive impact on the ties. PTI
reported that Vajpayee cancelled interviews with Pakistan Television and Doordarshan
due to “sore throat''. He was advised rest ahead of the visit to Pakistan. In his interview
with Dawn, Vajpayee said it was his last attempt to make peace with Pakistan.
January 4
The coverage was restricted to just one story. Amit Baruah and Muralidhar Reddy
reported that Vajpayee said he would hold talks with Pakistani leaders during the
SAARC Summit.

No
1 Islamabad Amit Baruah India and Pakistan OS P P
& must keep talking:
Muralidhar Vajpayee
Reddy
January 5
The coverage was low and the paper carried just two stories.

No
1 Islamabad Amit Baruah Vajpayee meets OS P P
& Jamali as ties are put
Muralidhar on track
Reddy
2 New Delhi Neena Vyas BJP plans to sell OS C SN
peace with Pakistan
in poll campaign
Vajpayee started the tour of Pakistan by having a meeting with Prime Minister Zafarullah
Khan Jamali. The Hindu termed it as the end of nearly “three-year of drought” in the
bilateral ties. Neena Vyas said BJP was planning to sell the idea of peace with Pakistan in
the forthcoming elections.
285
January 6
Despite meeting between Vajpayee and Musharraf, the coverage was limited.

No
1 Islamabad Amit Baruah Vajpayee, Musharraf OS P EP
& hope peace process
Muralidhar will continue
Reddy
2 New Delhi Special Peace is essential for OS P SP
Corresp. prosperity: Kalam
3 New Delhi Special A step in the right OS P SP
Corresp. direction, says
Venkaiah Naidu
Amit Baruah and Muralidhar Reddy reported that Vajpayee met Musharraf in an ice-
breaking meeting. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Home Minister L.K. Advani
expressed hope that meeting with Musharraf will bring peace. Bharatiya Janata Party
President Venkaiah Naidu also termed the meeting as a "positive step in the right
direction."
January 7
The paper published three stories as the two countries agreed to launch the composite
dialogue to smooth the ties.

No
1 Islamabad Amit Baruah India, Pakistan to OS P EP
& start dialogue in
Muralidhar February
Reddy
2 Islamabad PTI and UNI `Ready to come OS P EP
tomorrow'
3 Islamabad Islamabad `Vajpayee asked me OS P P
Bureau to take care'
286
The meeting and backdoor interactions proved fruitful and both sides agreed to launch
the peace dialogue in February. The paper termed it as “a giant step forward”. The level
of the dialogue was not decided but it was clear that the two sides had agreed to embark
on a new phase of their ties. Agencies reported that Musharraf told reporters that he was
ready to visit India. In another report the paper said Musharraf disclosed that Vajpayee
asked him to take care from the terrorists.
April 15
On the first day of this period, the paper published seven stories.
Table 4.90: The Hindu Coverage on April 15

No
1 New Delhi Amit Baruah Kashmir-related AS P P
CBMs in the offing
2 Srinagar Shujaat Meeting with OS C SN
Bukhari Musharraf first:
Hurriyat faction
3 New Delhi Special Improved ties have OS C N
Corresp. not reduced militant
activity, says Pranab
4 New Delhi Special "Pakistan did not live OS C N
Corresp. up to the vision of
Jinnah"
5 New Delhi PTI Not prudent to set OS C N
timeframe, says
Natwar
Amit Baruah reported that after the launch of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service,
Pakistan and India will discuss more CBMs during Musharraf’s visit. Shujaat Bukhari
reported that an APHC group led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will meet Musharraf. Defence
Minister Parnab Mukherjee said the infiltration was still going on in Kashmir. There was
a story about the launch of Asiananda's book "Jinnah- A Corrective Reading of Indian
History''. External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh said it was not possible to give any
timeframe for the resolution of Kashmir. He also said Pakistan will not be allowed to get
off the hook on the issue of terrorism.
287
April 16
There were two stories and both were anti-peace.

No
1 New Delhi Vinay No political OS C N
Kumar compromise with
terror: Manmohan
2 New Delhi Diplomatic Peace process will not OS C SN
Corresp. come to a wall:
Brajesh
Manmohan Singh was quoted as saying that efforts to derail the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad
bus service will be foiled and there will no compromise with terrorists. The former
National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra said in BBC's Hardtack India programme that
the trade ties between Pakistan and India will open up new avenues.
April 17
The coverage picked up as Musharraf reached India.

No
1 New Delhi Harish Khare `Ì have come with a OS P P
message of peace''
2 Ajmer Mohammed Musharraf prays for MS N SP
Iqbal peace at Ajmer
dargah
3 Jaipur Sunny The Khwaja has MS P SP
Sebastian finally called Gen.
Musharraf
4 New Delhi Staff Gursharan praise for OS P SP
Reporter Musharraf's mother
5 New Delhi Amit Baruah Musharraf is free to OS P P
meet Hurriyat leaders:
Saran
288
Musharraf was in India to attend the SAARC Summit and responding to Manmohan
Singh's call for the enduring solution to all problems, he told a gathering at the Ashoka
Hotel: "It needs two hands to clap. They say it takes two to tango, we may be too old to
tango, but my hand is extended to clap."221 Musharraf also paid a visit to the shrine of
13th century saint Moinuddin Chishti before starting the official business. He had missed
the opportunity in 2001 due to the failure of the Agra Summit. Indian Prime Minister's
wife Gursharan Kaur lavished praise on mother of Musharraf whom she met. Foreign
Secretary Shyam Saran said that Musharraf was free to meet APHC, which was contrary
to the stance taken by the Indian government in 2001.
April 18
Total 11 stories were published on the day as Musharraf got busy in meetings.

No
1 New Delhi Amit Baruah Positive, forward- MS P EP
looking talks:
Manmohan
2 New Delhi Special Involve Kashmiris in OS C SN
Corresp. peace process:
Hurriyat
3 New Delhi Special India, Pakistan to set OS P P
Corresp. up Joint Business
Council
4 New Delhi PTI Musharraf gets his OS P SP
birth certificate
5 New Delhi Mandira The Begum goes MS N SP
Nayar sightseeing
6 New Delhi Special Two Presidents have a MS P SP
Corresp. cozy chat
7 Jammu PTI Pandits' plea to OS P SP
Musharraf
8 New Delhi PTI A pleasant surprise for OS P SP
Advani
9 New Delhi PTI Javed Mir not allowed MS P SP
to meet Musharraf
221
Harish Khare, “I have come with a message of peace”, The Hindu, July 17, 2005.
289
According to the headline of the paper, Manmohan Singh and Pervez Musharraf agreed
to increase the frequency of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and operationalize the
Munabao-Khokhrapar rail link by the end of December. Their talks were held after the
two leaders saw a cricket match between their teams at Ferozshah Kotla ground which
was won by Pakistan. The APHC leaders met Musharraf for nearly three-and-a-half hours
at the Pakistan House and asked that people of Kashmir should be involved in the peace
process. On the national page, the main report was that both countries had decided to set
up a Joint Business Council (JBC) of their apex industry associations to promote trade
and address issues like the MFN and non-tariff barriers.
Musharraf was also given the birth certificate and paining of the house where he was
born and spend his childhood. Mandira Nayar reported that Sehba Musharraf visited the
historical places and went for shopping. Musharraf also met Indian President A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam for 50-minutes and discussed various issues, including music. The paper
also reported that displaced Kashmiri Pandits urged Musharraf to renovate the Sharda
Peeth shrine in Pakistan Kashmir for the pilgrimage.
Musharraf had surprise for Advani when he presented him an album containing
photographs from Advani's school days till his last visit to Pakistan. Advani, who had
studied in the same school as the Pakistan President, said they had a hearty discussion for
“quite some time'' on their alma mater. Officials of Pakistan High Commission turned
down the militant-turned-separatist leader Javed Ahmed Mir's request to meet Musharraf.
April 19
The section of coverage closed with eight stories which showed that the media coverage
of Pakistan was linked to high-profile visits and tragic incidents.

No
1 New Delhi Amit Baruah India-Pakistan peace MS P EP
process ìrreversible'
2 New Delhi Diplomatic `Ì came with a new OS P N
Corresp. heart''
290
3 New Delhi UNI Historic opportunity, OS N SP

substantive talks
4 New Delhi Amit Baruah A first in trade ties MS P SP
with Pakistan
5 New Delhi Delhi Bureau Paradigm shift in OS P SP
India-Pakistan ties,
says Congress
6 Srinagar Shujaat Sell-out by MS C N
Bukhari Musharraf"
The meetings of Musharraf had gone well and both sides termed the peace process as
irreversible.222 There was a report quoting Musharraf that he came with a new heart. On
the national page, the paper carried the joint statement by the two sides. Amit Baruah
reported it will be the first time in the history of independent India and Pakistan that trade
will take place through the LoC. Separately, he also had a story about Musharraf who
said that while no rigid time-frame could be set for resolving the Kashmir issue,
indefinite discussions on the question were not feasible. Indian political parties
appreciated the joint statement as it pushed through the CBMs and started a shift in the
nature of relations. Shujaat Bukhari reported from Kashmir that while others were
praising Pakistan and India for showing flexibility, the separatist leaders were furious and
accused Musharraf of "selling out" Kashmir.
July 9
No relevant story was published by the paper.
July 10
None of Pakistan related story was published on the day.
July 11
The paper did not carry any story about Pakistan.
July 12
After days of silence the paper carried eight stories.
222
Amit Baruah, “India-Pakistan peace process ‘irreversible’,” The Hindu, April 19, 2005.
291

No
1 Mumbai Main Terror strikes MS C EN
Bureau Mumbai, over 147
Report killed
2 Washington PTI Kasuri, Rice discuss OS C SN
India-Pakistan
dialogue
3 New Delhi Amit Baruah Pakistan flexible on OS P SP
Foreign Minister-
level talks
4 New Delhi Special No brakes on peace OS C N
Corresp. process: Centre
5 Srinagar UNI Lashkar-e-Taiba OS P SP
denies hand
6 New Delhi Staff Report Lashkar conduit OS C N
arrested, RDX seized
The main story was about the terror attacks in Mumbai which had killed at least 147
people. PTI reported that Pakistan Foreign Minister was in the US and met Condoleezza
Rice. Amit Baruah reported that Pakistan was flexible about who would represent India
in talks in absence of a full-fledged Foreign Minister. It showed that the dialogue process
was intact despite the attacks. In another report, the paper said that Union Home
Secretary Vinod Kumar Duggal made it clear that the peace process would neither be
slowed no halted due to the attacks. In another report, Lashkar-e-Taiba condemned the
attacks and also denied its involvement. Separately, Delhi Joint Commissioner of Police
Karnal Singh said the Special Cell arrested a man allegedly working as the conduit for
the LeT.
July 13
The coverage period ended with just one story by the paper.

No
1 New Delhi Amit Pakistan must act MS C EN
Baruah against terror groups'
292
India asked Pakistan to take strict action against the militants and dismantle their network
in the country. The paper reported that a day after the Mumbai blasts, an External Affairs
Ministry spokesman described as "appalling" the remarks by Foreign Minister Khurshid
Kasuri that drew a link between the Mumbai attacks and non-resolution of disputes
between India and Pakistan.223
4.7.2- The Indian Express
The Indian Express is relatively smaller newspaper in circulation but is respected in the
Indian policy-making circles. Its coverage for the selected period of January 3-7, 2004 is
given.
January 3
The paper carried four stories at the start of the coverage of this slot.
Table 4.97: The Indian Express Coverage on January 3

No
1 Jammu Express Operation Derail OS C N
News Saarc: terror on
Service Jammu tracks
2 Karachi Reuters Foreigners see MS N SN
(Mike backlash at Pak
Collett- madrasas
White)
3 New Delhi Dawn (M. Peace common desire MS P P
Ziauddin) in India, says
Vajpayee
The paper reported that the militants attacked Jammu Railway Station and killed four
people as Prime Minister Vajpayee was preparing for Pakistan’s visit to attend the
SAARC Summit. Mike Collett-White reported from Karachi that foreign students
studying in Pakistani madrasahs were feeling insecure after the recent arrests by Pakistan.
223
Amit Baruah, “Pakistan must act against terror groups,” The Hindu, July 13, 2006.
293
The newspaper reported an interview of Vajpayee to Ziauddin of Dawn newspaper, who

said all mainstream parties wanted peace with Pakistan.
January 4
It was an important day as Prime Minister Vajpayee arrived in Pakistan for the SAARC
Summit.

No
1 Islamabad Jyoti Landing in Pak, PM OS N SP
Malhotra sheds baggage of
past, has one thing to
declare: hope
Joyti Malhotra reported from Islamabad that Prime Minister Vajpayee arrived in Pakistan
and told media that he wanted to meet the leaders of Pakistan and talk about all issues
including Kashmir.
January 5
Three stories appeared in the paper on the day.

No
1 Islamabad Jyoti Musharraf skips K- OS P P
Malhotra course at banquet, but
serves bilateral talk
dish
2 Islamabad Express They all agree: no MS P P
News room for terror, need
Service to unite
3 Srinagar Mir Ehsan Summit echoes in J- OS P P
K: Change is not far
away
294
Malhotra who had apparently flown from New Delhi to cover the trip of the prime
minister in her dispatch said that Musharraf did not directly mentioned Kashmir at a
banquet for the SAARC leaders but said that ‘‘there can be no development in the
absence of peace and no peace until political disputes continue to fester.”224 The paper
also said that the SAARC leaders called for action against terrorism and increasing
efforts for regional cooperation. Mir Ehsan reported from Srinagar that the Kashmiri
leaders were hoping that the SAARC Summit will be a major step towards peace.
January 6
The coverage went up considerably as Pak-India leaders were having meetings in

Islamabad.

No
1 Islamabad Jyoti Mistrust brushed MS P EP
Malhotra under huge, red carpet
2 Islamabad PTI Rashid can’t forget OS C SN
the K-word
3 New Delhi Express Movement towards OS P P
News service peace: Parties hoping
for results
4 Srinagar Agencies Back home: Valley MS P SP
pins hope on Summit
5 Moscow Dadan Russia welcomes OS N SP
Upadhyay Pak.-India leaders
meeting
6 Islamabad Jyoti Silence, men at work OS P P
Malhotra on peace track
Tracing the welcome given to Vajpayee in Pakistan, Malhotra wrote “If ever Prime
Minister A B Vajpayee wanted to contest elections from Islamabad rather than his
beloved Lucknow,…winning wouldn’t be difficult.” The paper also had a PTI story
which said that Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad kept harping on
224
Jyoti Malhotra, “Musharraf skips K-course at banquet, but serves bilateral talk dish,” The Indian
Express, January 5, 2004.
295
Kashmir as top leadership was silent about it. Separately, the paper said that BJP had
described the meeting between Prime Minister Vajpayee and Musharraf as a step in the
right direction.
There was a detailed report based on the input by the newswires that Vajpayee’s visit had
raised hopes in Kashmir for peace. Dadan Upadhyay reported from Moscow that Russia
welcomed the meeting of Vajpayee and Musharraf. In a major story Malhotra reported
that there was a possibility of breakthrough as officials were working out the contours of
a peace process that “would give centrality to the twin issues of Kashmir and
terrorism”.225
January 7
The coverage period ended with five stories.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Saarc says no to terror OS P P
2 Tripoli Patrick Tyler Pak gave nuke tech to MS C SN
& David Libya: US
Sanger
3 Suigam Janyala Gujarat village wants MS P P
(Gujarat) Sreenivas a road, too, to
Pakistan
4 Islamabad Jyoti Their January Spring MS P EP
Malhotra
5 Islamabad Jyoti Brajesh, Aziz did AS P P
Malhotra spadework to bury
past
A PTI report by V.S. Chandrasekar & V. Mohan Narayan stated that leaders of the seven
SAARC nations pledged to eliminate terrorism in all its forms. The Islamabad
Declaration, adopted at the end of the three-day summit, was hailed as a ‘‘historic and
landmark’’. The paper also had a story of New York Times’ correspondent Patrick Tyler
and David Sanger that Pakistan provided centrifuge design technology to Libya. There
225
Jyoti Malhotra, “Silence, men at work on peace track,” The Indian Express, January 6, 2004.
296
was an interesting story from Janyala Sreenivas from a village Suigam in Gujarat, which
was hardly 50 kilometers away from border in Sindh province in Pakistan. The villagers
told the correspondent that they cannot afford air or train travels and will happy to walk
or use carts to go to meet their relatives in Pakistan if the broken road was repaired.
Malhotra said in a news item from Islamabad that Pakistan and India had agreed to
launch the ‘composite dialogue’ in February. In another peace, she said that secret
diplomacy between Brajesh Mishra principal secretary to Vajpayee and Tariq Aziz,
secretary of National Security Council, which started in May 2003 helped the two sides
to agree on the launch of the peace process.226
4.7.3- The Telegraph
The coverage period for this slot is: April 15-19, 2005. Kolkata-based The Telegraph has
been used for this period.
April 15
The coverage was quite slim as there was only one story.
Table 4.102: The Telegraph Coverage on April 15

No
1 Islamabad Imtiaz Gul 24 F-16s flash on AS C SN
Pakistan first list
Imtiaz Gul reported from Pakistan that the country was planning to buy 24 new F-16s of
upgraded (Block 52) C and D version in the first phase as Defence Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld concluded his visit to Islamabad with a commitment to further broaden the
strategic partnership.
April 16
The paper published three stories on the day.
226
Jyoti Mahotra, “Brajesh, Aziz did spadework to bury past,” The Indian Express, January 7, 2004.
297

No
1 New Delhi Special Bus onus on Pak too: OS N SN
Corresp. Singh
2 Ajmer Sujan Dutta Tanks on peace path- MS C SN
Memories of war
await Musharraf
3 Kathmandu Bharat Nepal walks in MS N SN
Bhushan Pakistan's steps
The paper reported Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that it was the joint
responsibility of India and Pakistan to provide security to the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus.
It also reported that Musharraf was arriving in Delhi via Ajmer for a three-day trip. There
was an interesting story about troubled history of the two countries as two tanks flank the
route Musharraf was take to the dargah to seek the blessings of Khwaja Moinuddin
Chishti. The tanks were once owned by Pakistan but destroyed and put on display by the
Indian army after a war. There was story linked to Pakistan as the paper reported that in
order to understand Nepal, India should first understand Pakistan as the two countries
were building their nationhood on a similar pattern in opposition to India.
April 17
The coverage was down and there was only one story.

No
1 New Delhi Pranay Peace prayer on all MS P EP
Sharma lips
The paper reported that there were prayers for peace on lips of everyone as leaders of
India and Pakistan met in New Delhi.227
227
Pranay Sharma, “Peace prayers on al lips,” The Telegraph, April 17, 2005.
298
April 18
The paper carried three stories.

No
1 New Delhi Pranay Play over, result MS N N
Sharma withheld
2 New Delhi S.P.S. Pannu Finally, neighbours OS P P
mean business
3 New Delhi Special 2005: A heart OS P EP
Corresp. transplant
Pranay Sharma reported that Musharraf and Singh watched a cricket match between their
teams and met for a long meeting. Later, Musharraf also called on Indian President Abdul
Kalam who hosted lunch for him. The paper said that the two countries decided to start
the railway service between Khokrapar in Rajasthan and Munabao in Sind. “All other
proposals, especially those on Kashmir put on the table by India for greater people-to-
people contact and turning the Line of Control into a soft border, were greeted by the
Pakistan side with an assurance of favourable consideration,” reported the paper.228
Pannu reported that the two countries had agreed to set up a joint business council to
promote bilateral trade. In a detailed story about Musharraf, the paper captured his media
interaction like the one in 2001 during the Agra Summit, but the general said that he had
come with new heart. “I beg to differ. Phir wohi dil nahi laya hoon (I have not come with
the same heart). I would like to say main naya dil laya hoon (I have come with a new
heart).”The reference was to a television news channel's headline, 'Phir wohi dil laya
hoon', a take-off on the title of a hit Hindi movie of the sixties.
April 19
The coverage period ended with just two stories.
228
Pranay Sharma, “Play over, result withheld,” The Telegraph, April 18, 2005.
299

No
1 New Delhi Pranay People dot line of OS N SP
Sharma peace
2 New Delhi Pranay Behind soft wall, hard MS N SN

Sharma nuts to crack
The paper reported that Musharraf and Singh agreed that the LoC should be softer to let
the people travel. But Pakistan President said this would only be a temporary measure
and the LoC could not be converted into a permanent border. India insisted that
boundaries could not be redrawn. A joint statement contained several steps that will
enhance contacts between divided Kashmiri families and promote trade and cultural
exchange. They (Singh and Musharraf) determined that the “peace process was now
irreversible.”229 In another story Pranay Sharma said India and Pakistan agreed to work
towards a “soft border” in Kashmir but doubts remained on how long it could endure as a
viable option to settle the main dispute.
4.7.4- Deccan Herald
Deccan Herald is published by The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited set up by K N

Guruswamy in 1948. The group also publishes Prajavani, Sudha and Mayura from it forte
Karnataka. It caters to sizeable audience in the state and helps to understand the level of
interest in Pakistan-India conflict from that region. Its coverage deals with the period of
July 9-13, 2006.
July 9
There was no Pakistan related story.
July 10
229
Pranay Sharma, “People dot line of peace,” The Telegraph, April 19, 2005.
300
Table 4.107: Deccan Herald Coverage on July 10

No
1 Islamabad UNI 45 die in PIA plane OS N SN
crash
2 New Delhi PTI India, Pak, Iran to AS P SP
discuss pricing of
pipeline gas in Aug
The main Pakistan related story was about PIA Fokker crash in Multan which killed 45
people. Another story was by PTI that officials of India, Pakistan and Iran will meet to
resolve the issue of natural gas price that Tehran wants to sell to the South Asian
countries.
July 11
The pattern of coverage was same as the previous day, as just two stories were published.

No
1 Mumbai PTI 138 dead, 257 injured MS C EN
in Mumbai serial
blasts
2 Srinagar IANS Five killed as serial MS C EN
blasts rock Srinagar
The main story was about Mumbai train serial blasts that killed more than 100 people.
Though, Pakistan was not mentioned in the news but terrorism in India was sure to drag
in Pakistan. Another bombing story was by IANS news agency which said that five
people were killed and 26 injured in four blasts in Srinagar.
July 12
It was next day to the Mumbai train attack and there should have been more stories but
the paper restricted its coverage to three stories.
301

No
1 New Delgi K Rattled UPA govt AS C EN
Subrahmanya
suspects LeT link
2 New Delhi PTI India will win war OS C N
against terror: PM
3 New Delhi PTI Govt claims some OS C N
"leads" on serial
blasts
The blast in Srinagar and Mumbai rattled the Congress government which immediately
held an important meeting. “We have reasons to believe that some Kashmir terrorist
group, possibly Lashkar-e-Taiba may have had a hand in the Mumbai blasts,” an official
source told the newspaper.230 PTI reported Manmohan Singh as saying that India will win
the war against terrorism. Separately, PTI said that government had claimed it had some
information about the people behind the Mumbai train terror.
July 13
The coverage peaked on the last day of coverage period with five stories.

No
1 New Delhi PTI Public transport AS C N
system a weak spot,
Dar told his LeT
bosses
2 Islamabad PTI Pak planned Kargil MS C N
even before
Vajpayee's visit:
Musharraf
3 New Delhi DHNS India may review OS C N
CBMs with Pak
4 New Delhi DHNS Pakistan would realise OS C N
this. No one can make
India kneel: PM
5 Mumbai PTI Extradite Dawood: OS C N
Advani
230
K Subrahmanya, “Rattled UPA govt suspects LeT link,” Deccan Herald, July 12, 2006.
302
The paper had a report by PTI that the Mumbai train blasts seems to be part of a plan by
militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba to target public transport system during the peak hours to
cause maximum casualty. There was a PTI story from Islamabad that President
Musharraf said in a TV interview that Kargil operation was planned long before the then
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was preparing his Lahore visit in February
1999.
The paper also reported that Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told a news channel that
India could be compelled to review some of the CBMs with Pakistan in the aftermath of
the terrorist strikes. Separately, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was quoted as saying
that India will win the war against terror and “no one can make India kneel”. Opposition
leader and senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said that the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim
should be brought to India for trial.
4.8- Electronic Media and Composite Dialogue
The launch of composite dialogue peace process in 2004 was a unique moment in the
conflict-ridden history of Pakistan and India.
Suhasini Haidar said that the start of the bilateral dialogue was received well in the Indian
press but media was more cautious than optimistic because in 2001, it went out of way to
create the hype for talks and when they failed, eventually media was blamed for it. “By
2004 there was a realisation that media should have its own editorial calls…The fact was
that media continued to show the positive side of the engagements…Media in general
was positive,” she said about the coverage after the start of peace process.231 Haidar also
accused governments of India and Pakistan for using media for their vested interests. She
said Pakistan government selectively leaked stories about the peace process while Indian
government withheld information about it. They selectively engaged the media to build a
narrative for peace through the media. “My opinion is that governments play the media
what they are.”
She said the composite dialogue got good coverage till Mumbai attack happened and
everything changed. She recalled that hours before Mumbai, Foreign Minister Shah
231
Haidar, interview.
303
Mahmood Qureshi and his counterpart Parnab Mukherjee held a press conference in
Delhi and talked about the possibility of Indian cricket team touring Pakistan.
Commenting on the Indian media coverage of various official interactions and talks under
the composite dialogue process from 2004 to 2008, she said the coverage in India “was
extremely positive but all changed after the Mumbai attack.”
Karan Thapar as usual was very cautious in responding to the question about media
reaction to the launch of peace process but said that it was welcomed in India. “From
what I can recall - and my memory is both faint and could be wrong - the media
welcomed the launch of the composite dialogue in 2004 because it viewed the January
2004 statement as a small but significant step forward as well as a 'victory' for India,” he
said.232
Shujaat Bukhari said that the composite dialogue was welcomed as it provided a chance
for peace. The process was mainly a success because of support by the people. He said
people on both sides stood with the peace process between India and Pakistan and
essentially people of Kashmir had a lot of hope from it. He also said that media was
positive about the start of talks. “I think media played a very positive role in pushing
forward that process,” he said.
Bukhari mentioned that the dialogue was derailed due to the Mumbai attack in 2008. The
incident of Mumbai provided an opportunity to the media to play against the peace
process. He said it was unfortunate as Mumbai was a very bad attack and nobody
approved of it, not even the people of Kashmir as it killed the innocent people. He urged
that media should come out of the Mumbai incident. “But at the same time to continue to
crack the whip around that particular incident and not to contribute to a process which
would again bring Pakistan and India on a table, I do not think that is responsible media,”
he said.
He also said that the Mumbai incident is actually brought into focus at every occasion for
peace and smaller incidents on the LoC are blown out of proportion. “If you look at the
news rooms of certain TV channels in India, it seems like India and Pakistan are at war. I
232
Thapar, e-mail.
304
think in that sense media is actually playing a very bad role,” he said. He also appreciated
media for giving positive coverage to the bilateral talks during the composite dialogue.
He said that some anti-peace elements were present and will always remain active but
they should be ignored.
4.9- Print Media and Mumbai Attack
The two papers used for the coverage of Mumbai attack are The Hindu and the Times of
India. First coverage by The Hindu is presented.
4.9.1- The Hindu
The coverage period is from Nov 19 to Dec 3, 2008.
November 19
Just one story was published. Nirupama Subramanian reported that cross LoC trade was
in trouble due to lack of facilities on the border. The trade had started on October 21.
Table 4.111: The Hindu Coverage on November 19

No
1 Islamabad Nirupama Cross-LoC trade runs MS C N
Subramanian into problems
November 20
The paper did not publish any relevant story.
November 21
Nirupama Subramanian reported that Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said he would
talk to Manmohan Singh to ensure that Indian cricket team would visit Pakistan in 2009.

No
1 Islamabad Nirupama Gilani to speak to MS C SN
Subramanian Manmohan
305
November 22
The paper did not publish any story about Pakistan.
November 23
There were two stories in the paper related to Pakistan.

No
1 New Delhi Sandeep I am for no-first use MS P EP
Dikshit of nuclear weapons:
Zardari
2 Islamabad Corresp. Al-Qaeda leader AS C SN
killed in Pakistan
Sandeep Dikshit reported Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan would
work on to follow a no-first-use policy on the nuclear weapons. “We will most certainly
not use it first,” Zardari said.233 It was the first time that any Pakistani leader had given
assurance about not resorting to nuclear attack in case of war with India. There was a
report from Islamabad that al-Qaeda linked Rashid Rauf, who was said to be behind the
2006 trans-Atlantic plane bombing plot, was among the five al-Qaeda militants killed in a
US drone strike in Pakistan.
November 24
The coverage was limited to just two pieces.

No
1 Islamabad Sandeep Musharraf on visit to OS N SP
Dikshit the U.K.
2 Islamabad Nirupama “Take up prisoners’ MS C SN
Subramanian issue with Delhi”
233
Sandeep Dikshit, “I am for no-first use of nuclear weapons: Zardari,” The Hindu, November 23, 2008.
306
There was a report that former President Musharraf left for a week-long trip to Britain,
his first visit abroad since he resigned in August. FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi was going
to India and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan asked him to take the issue of
prisoners with India.
November 25
It was the day before the Mumbai attack and there was just one story.

No
1 Islamabad Nirupama India may share AS C SP
Subramanian Samjhauta probe
details with Pakistan
Nirupama Subramanian reported that Indian Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta arrived in
Pakistan for talks under the composite dialogue process.
November 26
The day of the attack saw just one story. PTI reported that Pakistan released 101 Indian
prisoners as goodwill gesture on the eve of talks between the interior secretaries.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Pakistan releases 101 OS P SP
Indian prisoners
November 27
It was the day when full coverage of November 26 started. There were several terror-
linked stories but Pakistan did not surface in most of them.

No
307
1 Mumbai Meena Menon Rash of terror attacks MS C EN

& Rahi in Mumbai
Gaikwad
2 Islamabad Nirupama India, Pakistan seek MS P SP
Subramanian to ease visa regime
3 New Delhi Sandeep “No third-party OS C SN
Dikshit mediation”
The main story of the day was about terror attack in Mumbai which killed and injured
scores of people. Though Pakistan did not figure in the first day but the scale of terror
was alarming and could harm the ties. As India was reeling under the attacks, Nirupama
Subramanian filed from Islamabad that India and Pakistan interior secretaries decided in
their two-day talks to ease the visa regime. But the positive spirit of the meeting
evaporated in the smoke and fire of Mumbai as the future interactions were cancelled.
There was a story by Sandeep Dikshit about the meeting between Parnab Mukherjee and
Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New Delhi. They discussed various issues and Pakistan urged
India to let its cricket team tour Pakistan. The paper also reported that India said there
was no room for third party mediation in the Indo-Pak relations.
November 28
The number of relevant stories increased after India started blaming Pakistan.

No
1 Mumbai Meena Fierce fighting rages MS C EN
Menon in Mumbai
2 New Delhi Praveen Lashkar was planning MS C N
Swami fidayeen attacks in
Mumbai
3 New Delhi Special “Full-scale war, let’s OS C SN
Corresp. stay united”
4 Mumbai Praveen Three Lashkar AS C EN
Swami fidayeen captured
5 New Delhi Special Manmohan talks OS C N
Corresp. tough, warns
neighbours
6 Mumbai Praveen Lashkar tested sea AS C N
Swami route to Mumbai in
308
2007 dry run

7 Islamabad Nirupama Militants want to MS C N
Subramanian destabilise peace:
Pakistan
Meena Menon reported that fierce fighting was still going on in Mumbai as death toll had
risen to 125. Praveen Swami reported from Delhi that LeT was involved in Mumbai
attack. It was first indirect indictment of Pakistan. Advani termed the attack as a full-
scale war and urged unity to face the challenge. Swami in another story reported police
sources saying that Pakistan-based LeT was involved in the attack. “Police sources said
an injured terrorist captured during the fighting at the Taj Mahal hotel was tentatively
identified as Ajmal Amir Kamal, a resident of Faridkot in Pakistan’s Punjab province.”234
For the first time officially Manmohan Singh said that the group involved in the attack
was based outside India. Parveen Swami reported that LeT men had tested the sea route
in 2007 when they sent eight suicide bombers from Karachi to Mumbai on a commercial
fishing boat. Nirupama reported from Pakistan that the statement by Manmohan that the
attackers came from a neighbouring country spread gloom in Pakistan where people were
worried about the future of peace dialogue.
November 29
The coverage was lower than the previous day but it was still good in terms of numbers.

No
1 Mumbai Bureau Endgame in Mumbai, MS C EN
Report death toll could be
200
2 Islamabad Nirupama Decision to send ISI MS C N
Subramanian chief to India draws
flak
3 Islamabad Nirupama ISI chief coming to OS P SP
Subramanian India at the earliest
4 Mumbai Praveen Terrorists used AS C N
Swami hijacked vessel
234
Praveen Swami, “Three Lashkar fidayeen captured,” The Hindu, November 28, 2008.
309
5 Islamabad Nirupama We will comment OS C N

Subramanian after formal order:
Army
6 New Delhi Gargi Parsai Qureshi: no training OS C N
camps in Pakistan
In the main story the paper reported that the fighting ended with the forces killing the
attackers. The death toll was reported as closer to 200. Nirupma reported that Pakistan’s
decision to send ISI chief to India had drawn flak from the opposition. Later the decision
was reversed. The Hindu’s Islamabad correspondent reported that the ISI chief was going
to India to exchange information about the attacks. Parveen Swami said the terrorist used
hijacked vessels to travel to India, according to the information gleaned from arrested
militant Ajmal Kasab. The controversy about whether ISI chief will go to India was
deepening as Pakistan army was not happy with the decision. Nirupama reported that
military spokesman refused to share his thoughts on the issue. Gargi Parsai reported that
Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi, who was visiting India, said there was no terrorist
training camp in Pakistan.
November 30
Five stories were published on the day.

No
1 Mumbai Praveen Pointed intelligence AS C N
Swami warnings preceded
attacks
2 Islamabad Report Zardari: if evidence MS P SP
points to any group in
my country, I shall
take the strictest
action
3 Islamabad Nirupama Our hands are clean: OS C N
Subramanian Pakistan
4 Chennai Special Too early for OS C N
Corresp. Directors General to
meet: Zardari
5 New Delhi Neena Vyas Pakistan’s flip-flop OS C N
no surprise, says BJP
310
Praveen Swami reported quoting sources that intelligence services delivered at least three
precise warnings that a major terrorist attack on Mumbai was imminent. The agencies
had also warned that LeT will carry out the attack. The paper also published complete
interview of President Zardari with Karan Thapar. The Pakistani leader promised action
if evidence provided about the involvement of any militant group. Niruapma
Subramanian reported that Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan had nothing to hide on
the issue of terrorism as “our hands are clean”.
Separately, the paper quoted Zardari that the confusion over whether the Director-
General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was going to India is the result of a
“miscommunication” during a telephonic talk he had with Manmohan Singh. Neena Vyas
said BJP hit at Pakistan’s flip-flop over sending the ISI chief to India.
December 1
The high coverage returned and seven stories were carried by the paper.

No
1 Mumbai Praveen Terror mail analysis AS C EN
Swami supports claim of
Lashkar authorship
2 Mumbai Praveen Lashkar honed AS C N
Swami fidayeen skills in
Srinagar attacks
3 Mumbai Praveen No evidence so far of AS C N
Swami local involvement
4 Chennai T. “South Asia must be OS N SP
Ramakrishnan united against terror”
5 New Delhi Special CPI(M): take up with OS C N
Corresp. UNSC evidence of
links in Pakistan
6 New Delhi Gargi Parsai OS C N
7 Islamabad Nirupama MS C N
Subramanian
Parveen Swami in his lead said that analysis of an email showed that it was written by
LeT which was hiding its identity by posing as Mujahideen Hyderabad Deccan. The
311
Indian sleuths had clear indications that some foreign group was trying to hide under a
fake façade. In another report, the same reporter said that the suicide attackers had honed
their killing skills in Kashmir where they carried out several suicidal attacks. Swami filed
another front page story that so far police had not found any clue about any involvement
of the locals in the attack. There was a story that Sri Lankan Health Minister Nimal
Siripala de Silva said in Chennai that South Asia should be united against terrorism. The
Communist Party of India (Marxist) said India should take up with the UN Security
Council the evidence about links in Pakistan of the persons who committed the Mumbai
outrage.
December 2
Pakistan-related stories were finding more space.

No
1 New Delhi Special India serves OS C EN
Corresp. demarche on Pakistan
2 Mumbai Parveen A journey into the AS C EN
Swami Lashkar
3 Mumbai Parveen Mumbai massacre AS C EN
Swami story unfolds in
terrorist’s
interrogation
4 Islamabad Nirupama Composite dialogue: OS C N
Subramanian India presses the
pause button
5 New Delhi Sandeep Rice: Pakistan’s OS C SN
Dikshit cooperation crucial
6 New Delhi Sandeep Rice compliments OS N SP
Dikshit India, Pakistan
7 Islamabad Nirupama MS C N
Subramanian
India summoned High Commissioner Shahid Malik and served a demarche that
Islamabad should take “strong action” against those responsible for the Mumbai
312
strikes.235 Swami wrote a detailed profile of Ajmal Kasab, showing that he was a
Pakistani recruited by LeT. In another story, Swami gave details about how Kasab came
to Mumbai from Karachi. Nirupama reported that the immediate fallout of the Mumbai
attack was that India suspended the five years old composite dialogue.236 In the same
story the paper patched a PTI dispatch that Pakistan rejected the charges.
Sandeep Dikshit reported that US President George Bush asked Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice to travel to India. The visit took place against the backdrop of Rice
asking Pakistan to follow the evidence from the terror strike “wherever it leads” and to do
that in the most “committed and firmest possible way.” In another story Dikshit said Rice
complimented India and Pakistan for keeping the line of communication open despite the
tension.
December 3

No
1 Mumbai Rahi Terrorists came from OS C EN
Gaikwad Pakistan: Mumbai
police chief
2 Islamabad Nirupama Pakistan offers “joint OS C SN
Subramanian investigating
mechanism”
3 Islamabad Nirupama Defend Pakistan’s OS C N
Subramanian honour: all-party
meet
Rahi Gaikwad in the front page report said Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor
confirmed that the 10 terrorists involved in the attack came from Karachi.237 Nirupama
filed from Islamabad that Pakistan offered joint investigations. In another report
Nirupama said Pakistan held all-party conference to deal with the post-Mumbai situation.
235
“India serves demarche on Pakistan,” The Hindu, December 2, 2008.
236
Nirupama Subramanian, “Composite dialogue: India presses the pause button,” The Hindu, December
2, 2008.
237
Rahi Gaikwad, “Terrorist came from Pakistan, Mumbai police chief,” The Hindu, December 3, 2003.
313
4.9.2- The Times of India
The Times of India has been selected as the second newspaper for the coverage of the
Mumbai attack. The paper was also used as the second paper for the coverage of
parliament attack of 2001. The coverage period is from Nov 19 to Dec 3 in 2008.
November 19
There was just one story on the first day of coverage. PTI reported that a suspected US
missile hit a village in Bannu district and killed six people.
Table 4.124: The Times of India Coverage on November 19

No
1 Islamabad PTI Suspected US missile MS N SN
strike kills six in
Pakistan
November 20
The coverage was better in numbers as four Pakistan related stories were published.

No
1 New Delhi TNN With Sonia help, Pak MS P EP
boy gets new liver
2 New Delhi TNN HC stays deportation OS C SN
of 67 Pakistanis
3 Islamabad PTI US missile attacks in OS N SP
Pakistan 'intolerable':
Gilani
4 Ahmedabad PTI 'Ahmedabad blasts AS C N
carried out on the
direction of Pak's
Amir Raza Khan'
The paper had a detailed report about a 15-year old Pakistan boy Mubeen Ahmed, who
underwent a liver transplant in India with the financial support of Congress top leader
Sonia Gandhi. It was a rare good story to highlight the positive side of relations. In
314
another story, Delhi High Court stayed the decision to deport 67 jailed Pakistanis. PTI
reported that Prime Minister Gilani condemned the US missile attack, which had killed
six people a day before. PTI reported that police claimed that a militants Amir Raza
Khan was based in Pakistan and had directed some militants in India to carry out bomb
blasts of July 26 in Ahmedabad.
November 21

No
1 Moga PTI Pak teen with OS P P
Bollywood dreams
freed
2 Washington PTI China-Pak N- OS C SN
cooperation needs
NSG approval: US
PTI reported that a Pakistan teenager, Nasir Sultan, who crossed the international border
to enter the Bollywood, was released from the Juvenile Home at Faridkot for his return.
In its dispatch from Washington, PTI said US asked China to halt its plan to construct
two more nuclear reactors in Pakistan as it would require "consensus" approval from the
NSG.
November 22
There were three stories in the paper.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Pak woos ‘friends’ to AS N SP
stop US strikes
2 New Delhi TNN India hopes for replies AS C N
on Kabul blast…
3 New Delhi PTI Pak will not use N- OS P EP
weapons first: Zardari
315
PTI reported from Pakistan that it had launched an "aggressive diplomatic initiative"
aimed at taking into confidence "all friendly countries" to counter a series of US missile
strikes on its territory. The paper also had a report that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood
Qureshi will be in Delhi on November 26 for talks with counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.
Informed sources told the paper that India would seek information from Pakistan about
bombing of its Kabul embassy. It reported that President Zardari said in a video
conference that Pakistan will not use nuclear weapons first against India. It was important
as Pakistani does not follow ‘no-first-use’ policy.
November 23
Four Pak- India relation related stories were published.

No
1 Karachi PTI 250 pilgrims from MS P P
Pakistan visiting
temples in India
2 Islamabad PTI Pakistan: ISI's AS C N
political wing
disbanded
3 Islamabad PTI Bomb targets NATO MS N SN
convoy in Pakistan en
route to Afghanistan
4 New Delhi PTI Patil nails Bangladesh, OS C N
Pak on terror
PTI reported from Karachi that over 250 Hindus from Pakistan's southern Sindh province
were going for a pilgrimage to temples and shrines in India. PTI reported an official
telling Dawn News TV that the political wing of Inter-Services Intelligence agency,
which allegedly used to spy on politicians and rig elections, had been disbanded. In
another story from Pakistan PTI said a NATO convoy going to Afghanistan was hit by a
roadside bomb in Khyber tribal region. Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in reference to
Pakistan and Bangladesh that terrorism can be controlled if some countries refused to
shelter and aid the terrorist outfits.
316
November 24
The coverage was low to two stories.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Pak to release 101 OS P P
Indian prisoners
2 Lahore PTI India would make Pak OS C EN
barren by 2014, says
Pak official
PTI said from Islamabad that Pakistan will release 101 Indian prisoners, a majority of
them fishermen, as a goodwill gesture ahead of a meeting between the interior secretaries
of the two countries. The same newswire said Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner
Jamaat Ali Shah said that India would make Pakistan a barren land in the next six years
by blocking its water through construction of dams in violation of the Indus Water
Treaty.
November 25
There were only two relevant stories.

No
1 New Delhi Vishwa India to press Pak for AS C N
Mohan deportation of blasts'
mastermind
2 Islamabad PTI Pak frees 101 Indian OS P P
prisoners including 99
fishermen
Vishwa Mohan said quoting sources that India will ask Pakistan to deport Karachi-based
gang lord Aamir Raza Khan identified by Gujarat police as mastermind of the Indian
Mujahideen (IM) outfit. PTI following the last day story reported that Pakistan released
101 Indian prisoners as a goodwill gesture.
317
November 26
Only one relevant news item appeared in the paper on the day of attack. PTI reported that
in tit-for-tat defacing of government-run websites of the two countries, Indian and
Pakistani hackers are targeting major organisations.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Indian, Pak hackers MS C SN
deface govt websites
November 27
Six stories appeared a day after the attack.

No
1 Washington PTI US, Pakistan OS N SP
condemn Mumbai
attacks
2 Mumbai PTI Mumbai attackers AS C EN
may be Pakistani
nationals
3 Attari Yudhvir Pakistan releases 101 OS P P
Rana Indian prisoners
4 Islamabad PTI Pak denies any role OS N SP
in Mumbai terror
attacks
5 Washington Chidanand Mumbai attack: Pak MS C EN
Rajghatta role under scrutiny
6 Islamabad PTI Pak top judge in a MS N SP
row over daughter's
'high marks'
PTI reported that President-elect Barack Obama supported India to "root out" terrorist
networks while President George Bush said US stood with India, as the international
community denounced terror strikes in Mumbai. Pakistan expressed shock over the
attacks and offered "complete cooperation". PTI quoted sources saying that investigations
318
pointed to the involvement of at least some Pakistanis in the attacks. Amidst gloom, there
was positive news by Yudhvir Rana that Pakistan had released 101 Indian prisoners, days
after India sent home the 14-year-old Pakistani boy who had crossed into India to fulfil
his dream of meeting Shah Rukh Khan. PTI reported that Pakistan Defence Minister
Ahmed Mukhtar said his country had no role in the terror attacks as suspicions were
growing about involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists.
Chidanand Rajghatta reported from Washington that role of Pakistan was under scanner
regarding Mumbai terror attacks. “Strategic gurus and security analysts in the US and
from across the world are examining Pakistan's role in terrorism following yet another
terror episode in India ending with fingers pointed at its widely-reviled neighbour.”238
PTI reported that Pakistan Supreme Court chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar was at the
centre of a controversy over the revision of the marks of his daughter in a high school
examination to enable her pursue a course in medicine.
November 28
Eight stories were published on the day.

No
1 New Delhi TNN Pak may be pushing MS C EN
hardened jihadis
2 Mumbai PTI Modi says Pak has OS C N
violated UN code
3 Jodhpur PTI Initial information OS C EN
suggests Pak hand in
Mumbai attack:
Pranab
4 Islamabad PTI Pak PM agrees to send OS P EP
ISI chief to Delhi on
Manmohan Singh's
summons
5 Jammu PTI Pak troops violate AS C EN
ceasefire again: Army
238
Chidanand Rajghatta, “Mumbai attack: Pak role under scrutiny,” The Times of India, November 27,
2008.
319
6 Islamabad PTI Mumbai attacks: Pak MS N SP

media cautions against
blame game
7 Beijing PTI Mumbai attacks to OS C N
hurt Indo-Pak ties:
Pranab Mukherjee
8 Islamabad PTI Pak opposition slams MS C N
govt's plan to send ISI
chief to India
The paper in an analytical story titles as “Pak may be pushing hardened jihadis”, said that
the attacks carried out by the terrorists in Mumbai were clearly the handiwork of jihadis
from across the border. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi held Pakistan responsible
for the attacks. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters, "According to
preliminary information, some elements in Pakistan are responsible for Mumbai terror
attacks." It was for the first time that India directly accused Pakistan. In a major
development, Prime Minister Gilani accepted a request by Manmohan Singh to send the
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief to India for sharing of information about the attack
in Mumbai, reported PTI.
As tension was going up, PTI reported from Jammu that Pakistan troops violated
ceasefire in Kashmir. The news agency reported from Islamabad that local media urged
India that Pakistan should not be held responsible for the attacks and the peace process
should continue. The paper reported that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told
his visiting Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi that he hoped Islamabad would
take "immediate action" with regard to the terrorist attacks. PTI reported that the
opposition parties in Pakistan slammed the PPP-led government for its decision to send
the ISI chief to India.
November 29
The coverage was higher and there were seven stories related to Pakistan.

No
1 Ahmedabad TNN Kuber was seized by AS N SN
320
Pakistan in 2004
2 Washington Chidanand Glib Pakistan talks its MS C N
Rajghatta way out of trouble
3 Mumbai TNN Pakistani attacker MS C EN
arrested
4 Jammu PTI India, Pak should OS P P
fight terrorism
together: Farooq
5 New Delhi TNN Crowds cheer OS C N
operations with anti-
Pak slogans
6 Islamabad PTI Pak to send OS C N
representative instead
of ISI chief to India
7 Islamabad Agencies Pak says not involved OS C N
in Mumbai attacks, to
help in probe
The paper reported that the fishing trawler suspected to have been hijacked by the
terrorists in the Arabian Sea to reach Mumbai, was last spotted off Jakhau in Kutch. The
Times US correspondent, Chidanand Rajghatta, reported that Pakistan ambassador
Hussain Haqqani was making efforts to offset the impact of the “universal disgust and
opprobrium” for the attacks in Mumbai and their link to Islamabad. There was another
important story about arrest of Amir Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani national, who was part of
the group that attacked Mumbai.
PTI reported from Jammu that at a time when there was mounting evidence that the
attack on Mumbai was launched from Pakistani soil, former J&K Chief Minister Farooq
Abdullah “sprang in defence of Pakistan, ruling out Islamabad's complicity” and instead
suggesting the two countries come together to fight terrorism. Pranab Mukherjee was
reported telling his counterpart Qureshi that Pakistan should take immediate steps with
regard to the attacks on Mumbai. PTI reported Pakistan decided to send a representative
of ISI to help India instead of its chief Lt. Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha. Foreign Minister
Qureshi who came from India said Pakistan will extend "full cooperation" to India
following the attack.
321
November 30
Five stories were published.

No
1 Islamabad Reporter Empathy and fear of MS N P
fallout in Pakistan
2 New Delhi TNN India has tell-tale AS C EN
evidence of Pak
connection, say
agencies
3 New Delhi TNN CPM wants govt to OS C SN
approach UN with
proof of Pak
involvement
4 Karachi PTI Pak may relocate MS C N
100,000 army men to
border
5 New Delhi TNN Wary Pak army steps AS C N
up vigil
The paper carried a feature by a Pakistani journalist- titled as “Empathy and fear of
fallout in Pakistan”, the writer said Pakistanis are traditionally phlegmatic when bombs
go off on Indian soil but it is different this time round. “There is grief, disgust and alarm
with the local TV channels providing updated, minute-by-minute detail of the Mumbai
mayhem and local newspapers offering extensive coverage of the events.”239
The paper said quoting sources that a satellite phone recovered from one of the rafts used
by militants “yielded tell-tale evidence of the direct involvement of the top hierarchy of
ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba in the Mumbai mayhem.” The leftist CPM asked the Indian
government to move UN once the evidence of Pakistan’s involvement was complete. PTI
said Pakistan was planning to relocate around 100,000 military personnel from its restive
border area with Afghanistan in case of escalation with India. The paper also reported
that Pakistani forces stepped up operational readiness in the wake of the terrorist strike in
Mumbai.
239
“Empathy and fear for fallout in Pakistan,” The Times of India, November 30, 2008.
322
December 1
The paper published nine stories.

No
1 Mumbai PTI Pakistan former MS P P
human rights minister
donates blood for
Mumbai attack
victims
2 Islamabad PTI 10 killed in Pakistani OS N SN
suicide attack
3 New Delhi Indrani India in fix over how MS N SN
Bagchi to handle Pak
4 Washington Chidanand US, India face Pak MS C EN
Rajghatta blackmail on terror
5 New Delhi PTI India summons Pak OS C EN
envoy, issues protest
note
6 Islamabad PTI Pak responds, OS C EN
summons Indian high
commissioner
7 Islamabad PTI Tribal leaders vow to MS C N
support Pak govt
against India
8 Washington Chidanand Bush sends Condi OS N SP
Rajghatta Rice to India to
manage response
towards Pak
9 Islamabad PTI Pak army to stop MS C EN
operation against
local militants
PTI reported that Ansar Burney, a former Human Rights Minister of Pakistan, went India
to donate blood for the Mumbai attack victims. The new agency filed from Islamabad
that at least 10 people were killed and 38 injured when a suicide bomber rammed his
explosive-laden vehicle into a check post in the Swat region of Pakistan. Indrani Bagchi
wrote India was in deep dilemma how to handle Pakistan in the wake of the terrorist
attacks. Chidanand Rajghatta in his report from US said that like India, America was also
323
suffering Pakistan blackmail on terrorism. India summoned Pakistan High Commissioner

and given a demarche to take action against the terrorist responsible for attacks.240
Pakistan hit back by summoning Indian High Commissioner and rejected Indian protest
and demands.
PTI reported that Pakistan’s tribal elders pledged support for army in case of attack by
India. “The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan too offered unconditional support to the
Pakistani government if hostilities broke out with India.” In another development US
President Bush sent his Foreign Secretary to India. Separately, PTI said Pakistan army
chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani told President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani, if
India escalated tensions, then Pakistan would have to move troops from the tribal areas.
December 2
There were six stories in the paper as the coverage period was winding down.

No
1 New Delhi Nandita Pak TV channel says MS C N
Sengupta 26/11 hatched by
Hindu Zionists
2 New Delhi TNN Terror mail routed AS C EN
through Pakistan's
Lahore
3 Washington PTI Pakistan, an OS C N
international
migraine: Albright
4 Beijing Saibal China quizzes AS C SN
Dasgupta Pakistan over
Mumbai attack
5 Mumbai PTI Arrested terrorist OS C EN
admits to be a
Pakistani: Mumbai
police
6 Islamabad PTI Musharraf blames OS N SP
Pak govt. for tensions
in ties with India
240
“India summons Pak envoy, issues protest note,” The Times of India, December 1, 2008.
324
The paper reported that the Indian agencies tracing the source of the email sent by an
outfit calling itself Deccan Mujahedeen to a TV channel, claiming responsibility for
attacks, found that the text was routed through Lahore before travelling to different
locations through anonymous "remailer" service. Former US Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright said Pakistan was a source of global worry due to issues like
terrorism and nukes and she termed it as “international migraine”. Saibal Dasgupta
reported from Beijing that security agencies in China were seeking from Pakistan details
about the possible links between the attack in Mumbai and terrorist organisations based
in Pakistan.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor told media that the lone survivor attacker,
Ajmal Kasab, admitted that they were a group of 10 and travelled from Karachi for the
attack. Police also said that they were trained by “ex-army personnel”. Nandita Sengupta
reported Pakistan TV aired interview of Zahid Hamid that Mumbai attack was carried out
by the Hindu Zionists. PTI reported that ex-President Musharraf accused Pakistan's ruling
administration for the tensions with India in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
December 3
The coverage peaked on the last day of selected coverage as 16 stories were published.

No
1 Islamabad PTI Pakistan will not MS C N
hand over terror
suspects: Reports
2 New Delhi PTI Pakistan must OS N SN
cooperate with India:
Rice
3 Islamabad PTI Pakistan to acquire MS C SN
100 air-to-surface
missiles from Brazil
4 Islamabad Agencies Pak says will reply to OS C N
India's 'hand over
fugitives' demand
5 BHUJ/ Anand Coast Guard detains AS C N
MUMBAI McNair & Pak fishing boat,
325
Yogesh Naik seven held

6 Mumbai Bharati 26/11 fallout: Pak TV MS N SP
Dubey actors feel the heat
7 New Delhi TNN India briefs envoys of OS C N
select nations on
attack, says Pak
responsible
8 New Delhi TNN McCain urges Pak to OS N SN
act against terror
groups
9 New Delhi Himanshi LeT adopted an MS C N
Dhawan agenda for global
jihad: Pak diplomat
said in article
10 Washington PTI Next terror attack on MS C EN
US will originate in
Pak: Report
11 New Delhi Indrani India doesn't rule out AS C EN
Bagchi & military option
Sachin against Pak
Parashar
12 New Delhi TNN India not interested in AS C N
Pak offer of joint
probe
13 Bangalore TNN Pak-trained ultras AS C N
forced to operate in
India
14 Islamabad PTI Five killed in Pak OS N SN
suicide bombing
15 New Delhi PTI Need for direct and OS C SN
tough action from
Pak: US
16 Washington Chidanand US sets stage for MS C EN
Rajghatta strikes if Pak does not
act
PTI said Pakistan media reported that the government will not hand over 20 “terrorists”
wanted by India. Visiting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in India that Pakistan
must cooperate to tackle the issue of terrorism. PTI reported that Pakistan will buy 100
MAR-1 medium-range missiles manufactured by a Brazilian firm, Mectron. The paper
also had a story based on agencies input that Pakistan will frame its official response to
the Indian demand of handing over 20 militants hiding in the country. Anand McNair &
326
Yogesh Naik reported that Indian Coast Guard detained a Pakistani fishing vessel at Kori
Creek off the Gulf of Kutch and took into custody seven Pakistani nationals.
Bharati Dubey reported from Mumbai that the tension in the ties of two nations was
taking toll on Pakistani actors seeking work in the Bollywood. The paper also reported
that India briefed countries who lost citizens in the Mumbai attack that Pakistan was
responsible for the terror. US former presidential candidate Senator John McCain paid an
unscheduled visit to India to express "sorrow and solidarity". Himanshi Dhawan reported
that Pakistan envoy in US, Hussain Haqqani, said the real issue was Kashmir and
terrorism was just a symptom of this conflict. PTI reported that a high-powered bipartisan
US Congressional commission said that any next terror attack in the US will originate
from Pakistan. "If one has to map terrorism and weapons of mass destruction today, all
roads would intersect in Pakistan," the paper quoted the report "World at Risk".241
In another story, the paper reported that India said military option was available to deal
with the threat of terrorism from Pakistan. There was another report that India was not
interested in Pakistan’s offer of joint probe. The paper also reported that the Indian
youths trapped for militancy by Pakistan were disenchanted as they were forced to fight
in India instead of a front of their choice. PTI reported from Islamabad that five people
were killed in a suicide bombing. PTI also reported a news conference by Condoleezza
Rice who said Pakistan should take tough actions against militants. Chidanand Rajghatta
wrote from Washington that the US was preparing a stage for internationally-backed
strikes by India against terrorist camps in Pakistan.
4.10- Electronic Media and Mumbai Attacks
The Mumbai attack was shown live by the Indian TV channels. It is believed that by the
time the militants were killed and the situation brought under control, the coverage had
also killed the five-year old peace process.
Suhasini Haidar criticised round-the-clock coverage. “During the attack was saturation
coverage, 72 hours of not-stop coverage…In the first 72 hours, there was no
editorialization as it was about what was going on,” said Haidar, adding that the editorial
241
“Next terror attack on US will originate in Pakistan: Report,” The Times of India, December 3, 2008.
327
call was taken a few days later but by that time the damage had been done. She also said
that the Indian government in the beginning did not point a finger at anyone because it
was not a normal attack and nobody said straight away that Pakistan was responsible, but
the insinuations were there and questions were being asked that who was responsible for
the tragedy. She said that the officials took time to prepare their case.
“But I do remember that on December 5 there was an off-the-record briefing, I could

check but it was National Security Advisor who said that they have evidence that it was
ISI… After that briefing, everything changed,” said she.242
She admitted being conservative to defend media but also said that media always take a
lot of cues from the government, and after the Mumbai incident, it was the government
that called the shots. Haidar said that during the attack most of the coverage was about
the attack but obvious indications were made to refer towards Pakistan. “There was
obvious inference that the attack was carried out by Pakistan. But everybody was in
shock. I do not remember channels specifically saying this.”
She also referred to presence of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in India at the
time of the attack who in his best wisdom decided to hold a press conference which she
termed as a disaster. He faced an extremely hostile press. Presumably things have already
gone sour, she said. President Zardari got a hoax call and it was said that Parnab
Mukherjee made the call. Then Pakistan sent a plane to bring back Qureshi. She said that
“none of these events were driven by media” but people were discussing about them. The
idea was that if Pakistan had pulled out its foreign minister so quickly, it showed that
some kind of conflict was imminent. She said once India blamed Pakistan, “media
unleashed” itself.
Karan Thapar said the coverage of the Mumbai attack was the first time when the Indian
media faced such a challenge of coverage and there was a lot of criticism of its tone and
content, particularly the careless or thoughtless revealing of details that should have been
kept secret. There was also criticism of the anchors and their manner and style as well as
242
Haidar, interview.
328
their lack of control of emotions. The newspapers were more measured than television,
he said.
He said that the media had been skeptical and distrusting of Pakistan since 2008 and
particularly after the David Headley revelations which seemed to the Indian eyes to
confirm some measure of Pakistani state complicity in 2008. “Within this there are
pockets of the media that have more understanding. By and large, however, the media is
and has been skeptical. That could be changing- but I emphasize the word could,” he
said.243
Thapar also said that media had no role in suspension of the composite dialogue. “The
media played no real role in the suspension of dialogue after Mumbai. But certainly the
overall pressure of public opinion, including the media, would have made the
continuation of dialogue impossible,” said he.
Shujaat Bukhari commenting on the electronic media coverage of the Mumbai attack said
that the role of media became target of the critique because of the way the live coverage
was done during the fighting between the militants and the security forces. The main
criticism was that live coverage was also giving directions to the militants on how to
fight. Bukhari termed the electronic media coverage as excessive and denounced it by
saying that “anything being done in excess certainly does not help.”244
He said that the Mumbai attack was a terrible incident but “media should have some sort
of restraint” while covering it. Bukhari complained that the element of restraint was
missing during its coverage and the media is still suffering from this as mere mention of
Mumbai suddenly creates hype for the journalists. He said that even after more than five
years, media is centring the whole debate of ties with Pakistan on the Mumbai issue. “It
shows the power of media which has a role and duty to engage people but it should be in
a positive direction,” he concluded.
243
Thapar, e-mail.
244
Bukhari, interview.
329
Chapter 5
Analysis and Findings
The analysis is divided into two parts: first, print media analysis and second, electronic
media analysis. The print portion is based on the content analysis of the newspapers of
the two countries, whereas the electronic media has been analysed through elite
interviews with professional media practitioners from Pakistan and India.
The technique used for newspapers is mostly quantitative while qualitative technique has
been used for the electronic media. The data has been presented through tables. Graphic
presentation has been used wherever it was necessary. The analysis is followed by the
findings of the study.
5.1- Analysis
The analysis of the media coverage of the Agra Summit, parliament attack, military
standoff, composite dialogue and Mumbai attack is presented below.
5.1.1- The Agra Summit
Dawn published 125 stories during the selected 15-day period of the Agra Summit, with
average 8 stories per day. The coverage peaked around the days of meetings between
Vajpayee and Musharraf. Majority of 53 stories were filed from cities other than
Islamabad and New Delhi, which shows that the paper was taking stories from different
locations. The byline was an issue as only 36 proper byliners were used as compared to
89 non-byliners. The paper properly sourced majority 73 stories, as compared to 14
anonymous items. The pro-conflict stories were 60 as compared to 36 pro-peace and 29
neutral stories. The impact part is almost even with 64 positive stories for Pak-India
relations and 61 negatives ones.
Table 5.1: Dawn Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit
Jul Stori Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

y es Is Dl Ot Kno Unkn OS M A P C N S P E S N E
b h h wn own S S P P N N
8 10 7 2 1 4 6 6 4 0 2 6 2 4 0 0 1 4 1
330
9 8 1 4 3 1 7 2 4 2 3 2 3 3 2 1 0 2 0
10 6 1 5 0 2 4 5 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 0 2 0
11 10 2 3 5 5 5 5 4 1 0 9 1 1 0 0 0 8 1
12 9 1 4 4 2 7 6 3 0 0 5 4 3 1 0 0 5 0
13 9 1 5 3 3 6 6 2 1 3 4 2 3 2 0 0 4 0
14 9 1 5 3 3 6 2 6 1 1 5 3 4 0 0 1 4 0
15 12 0 9 3 3 9 6 2 4 5 4 3 4 4 0 0 2 2
16 11 1 0 10 3 8 6 4 1 3 5 3 3 3 0 2 3 0
17 10 2 1 7 1 9 7 2 1 2 6 2 3 0 0 1 1 5
18 8 3 1 4 3 5 5 2 1 3 2 3 2 4 0 0 2 0
19 6 2 1 3 3 3 4 1 1 4 1 1 1 3 1 0 1 0
20 6 3 1 2 0 6 5 1 0 3 2 1 2 2 0 0 2 0
21 6 2 2 2 1 5 5 0 1 4 2 1 3 1 0 0 1 1
22 5 1 2 2 2 3 3 2 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 3 1
Tot 12 5 28 45 52 36 89 73 38 1 3 6 2 3 2 3 6 4 11
al 4 6 0 9 8 3 4
Isb: Islamabad
Dlh: New Delhi
Oth: Other cities
Known: Clear byline
Unknown: Staff report etc./agencies
OS: Open Official source
MS: Mix source
AS: Anonymous source
P: Pro-peace
C: Pro-conflict
N: Neutral
SP: Slightly positive (for Pak-India ties)
P: Positive
SN: Slightly Negative (for Pak-India ties)
N: Negative
331
The Nation published 144 stories during the selected period. It shows that the paper was
publishing about 10 stories per day, which was higher than Dawn’s eight stories per day.
Forty five stories originated from Islamabad, 38 from New Delhi and 61 from other cities
and locations of Pakistan and India. Forty-six stories had byliners whereas 98 were
without proper byliners. Seventy-three stories used official sources and 52 were based on
mixed sources whereas 19 used anonymous sources. Majority 88 stories were having a
conflict angle as compared to 38 with a peace angle. It was also found that 22 stories
were in the category of neutral reporting. Majority 94 stories had a negative impact as
compared to 50 with a positive impact on the relations.
Table 5.2: The Nation Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit
Jul Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

y ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
b lh th wn own S S S P P N N
8 6 2 1 3 2 4 3 3 0 2 3 1 2 0 0 3 1 0
9 10 3 2 5 2 8 6 4 0 5 4 1 2 4 0 1 2 1
10 8 2 4 2 4 4 3 4 1 4 3 1 4 1 0 2 0 1
11 15 8 2 5 3 12 1 2 2 0 1 3 1 0 0 4 9 1
1 2
12 9 5 3 1 4 5 4 4 1 2 6 1 1 2 0 2 3 1
13 12 5 3 4 4 8 6 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 5 4 1
0
14 8 1 3 4 4 4 1 4 3 2 5 1 2 1 0 1 4 0
15 13 0 1 3 3 10 5 6 2 4 4 5 3 5 0 2 2 1
0
16 13 0 3 10 1 12 5 7 1 4 6 3 4 2 0 2 4 1
17 14 4 0 10 5 9 7 6 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 8 3
2
18 11 4 1 6 2 9 7 3 1 3 7 1 2 2 0 0 7 0
19 7 2 2 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 5 0 0 2 0 0 5 0
20 7 3 2 2 2 5 5 1 1 1 4 2 2 1 0 1 2 1
21 6 4 1 1 4 2 5 1 0 2 3 1 0 1 1 3 1 0
22 5 2 1 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 4 0 0 1 0 2 0 2
To 144 4 3 61 46 98 7 5 1 3 8 2 2 2 1 2 5 1
tal 5 8 3 2 9 4 8 2 6 3 9 2 3
The Hindu from India published 172 stories during the coverage period around the Agra
summit, with the average of over 11 stories in a day. Its 32 stories had Islamabad
dateline, 94 New Delhi and 46 from other places of the two countries. There was balance
332
in the byline category as 82 had exact bylines while 90 were identified as staff reports or
by agencies. It used 94 proper sources as compared to 57 multiple and just 21 anonymous
sources. Majority 101 stories had a conflict angle as compared to 59 falling in the peace
category. Twelve stories were designated as neutral. Majority 101 had negative impact on
ties while 71 had a positive impact.
Table 5.3: The Hindu Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit
Ju Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

ly ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
8 6 2 3 1 4 2 4 1 1 1 5 0 1 0 0 0 4 1
9 14 5 6 3 7 7 5 5 4 4 8 2 5 0 1 3 4 1
10 12 3 9 0 8 4 9 3 0 3 8 1 4 1 0 2 5 0
11 14 3 7 4 5 9 1 3 1 5 6 3 5 3 0 2 4 0
0
12 11 2 6 3 5 6 6 3 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 4 6 0
0
13 11 5 4 2 6 5 7 4 0 7 4 0 3 3 1 0 4 0
14 15 1 1 2 8 7 1 3 1 6 7 2 4 3 1 0 7 0
2 1
15 22 0 1 3 7 15 1 1 1 1 7 2 8 6 0 3 5 0
9 0 1 3
16 16 2 4 10 8 8 6 7 3 8 7 1 4 5 0 2 4 1
17 14 0 2 12 7 7 2 1 2 3 1 0 3 0 0 2 7 2
0 1
18 12 2 6 4 5 7 9 3 0 6 6 0 2 4 0 0 4 2
19 9 2 6 1 6 3 3 3 3 2 7 0 1 0 1 0 6 1
20 5 1 4 0 2 3 4 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 2 3 0
21 3 2 1 0 2 1 2 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
22 8 2 5 1 2 6 6 1 1 1 7 0 1 0 0 1 4 2
tot 172 3 9 46 82 90 9 5 2 5 1 1 4 2 4 2 6 1
al 2 4 4 7 1 9 0 2 2 5 1 8 2
1
The coverage by Hindustan Times was low as compared to other three papers. It
published just 63 stories, four per day. There were just two stories from Islamabad and 39
from New Delhi while 22 were from other locations. The good part was that 42 stories
were filed by its reporters with exact bylines as compared to just 21 without bylines.
Twenty-four stories had official sources as compared to 26 mix and 13 anonymous
sources. But the slant of the coverage was clearly anti-peace as its 33 stories used conflict
333
angle while just 11 were pro-peace. Another 19 were in the category of neutral. The
overall impact of the coverage was negative with 42 stories fuelling the conflict, as
compared to 21 seen as trying to calm things down.
Table 5.4: Hindustan Times Coverage (July 8-22, 2001) of Agra Summit
Jul Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

y ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
8 3 0 3 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 6 0 6 0 2 4 2 3 1 1 3 2 0 1 0 2 3 0
11 4 0 3 1 4 0 1 2 1 0 2 2 2 0 0 1 1 0
12 4 0 4 0 4 0 2 2 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 2 1 0
13 5 0 4 1 4 1 1 1 3 1 1 3 2 0 0 2 1 0
14 11 0 7 4 5 6 3 7 1 0 6 5 3 1 0 1 6 0
15 4 0 4 0 3 1 3 1 0 4 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
16 5 0 0 5 5 0 1 3 1 3 0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0
17 9 0 0 9 6 3 3 4 2 1 6 2 2 0 0 3 3 1
18 3 0 2 1 1 2 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 1 0
19 2 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
20 4 0 3 1 3 1 3 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 2 0
21 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
22 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
To 63 2 3 22 42 21 2 2 1 1 3 1 1 7 0 1 2 1
tal 9 4 6 3 1 3 9 4 4 7
The overall coverage of the Agra Summit gives interesting data. It received massive
coverage both in India and Pakistan. The selected four papers published 504 stories,
including 269 in Pakistan papers and 235 in Indian paper. The Hindu topped the list with
172 news items followed by The Nation with 144. All the papers used stories from
different locations. Indian papers had more byline stories (124 such news items), as
compared to Pakistan’s just 82. The paper had 264 stories coming from known official
sources as compared to 173 from mixed sources.
The number of anonymous stories was 67, including 33 from Pakistan and 34 from India.
It suggests that either the reporter did not try to go for exclusive stuff which is usually
based on anonymous sources or the government gave them so many stories through press
releases, handouts and pressers that they had not time to dig for the exclusive stuff. The
334
stories tilting towards conflict side of the relations were 282, which was far ahead of 140
peace-related and 82 neutral stories. Similarly, the number of overall stories showing the
negative side of ties was higher with 298 pieces, as compared to 206 positive news items.
The summary of coverage is given in the following table.
Table 5.5: Total Coverage of Agra Summit
Paper St Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

s or Is Dl Ot Kno Unkn OS M A P C N S P E S N E
ies b h h wn own S S P P N N
Dawn 12 28 45 52 36 89 73 38 1 3 6 2 3 2 3 6 4 11
5 4 6 0 9 8 3 4
The 14 45 38 61 46 98 73 52 1 3 8 2 2 2 1 2 5 13
Nation 4 9 4 8 2 6 3 9 2
Total 26 73 83 11 82 187 14 90 3 7 1 5 6 4 4 3 9 24
9 3 6 3 0 4 1 4 6 5 6
8
The 17 32 94 46 82 90 94 57 2 5 1 1 4 2 4 2 6 12
Hindu 2 1 9 0 2 2 5 1 8
1
HT 63 2 39 22 42 21 24 26 1 1 3 1 1 7 0 1 2 1
3 1 3 9 4 4 7
Total 23 34 13 68 124 111 11 83 3 7 1 3 5 3 4 3 9 13
5 3 8 4 0 3 1 6 2 5 5
4
Grand 50 10 21 18 206 298 26 17 6 1 2 8 1 7 8 7 1 37
Total 4 7 6 1 4 3 7 4 8 2 2 8 0 9
0 2 0 1
HT: The Hindustan Times
The Pakistan experts said that the media coverage of the Agra Summit in Pakistan was
influenced by the official version of the ties with India. Ziauddin held Musharraf
responsible for failure of the summit by saying that he refused to give assurance to India
about the cross border militancy in Kashmir. He also criticised Pakistan media for
keeping pressure on Musharraf to tow a traditional hard line on Kashmir.
Rahimullah Yusufzai said Musharraf’s media interaction and its coverage was totally
responsible for the Agra fiasco as he was by nature aggressive and lacked proper
diplomatic expressions. It could have led to hardening of Indian attitudes. But the real
cause of failure was the “high expectations” of the two sides from each other. India
335
thought it was an occasion to address cross border terrorism while Pakistan wanted to use
it for resolution of the Kashmir issue. According to Yusufzai, the summit failed as both
sides refused to accommodate each other’s expectations. Its failure was not due to media
which just showed what was happening.
Javed Siddiq differed with both Ziauddin and Yusufzai and said media coverage of
Musharraf’s breakfast meeting was decisive factor in failure as his emphasis on Kashmir
was interpreted by the Indian side as final line of argument by the collective military and
civilian leadership as Musharraf was both a civilian head of state and military chief.
The overall view of the experts was that media played a part in the failure as it was
reflecting the official version of the events.
The Indian experts who were interviewed for the research were unanimous that the Indian
media viewed Musharraf with a certain level of skepticism because he was considered as
man who had launched the Kargil War. Second, it also viewed Musharraf’s breakfast
meeting with the Indian media as one of the reasons for the failure of Agra summit. It
means that Indian media was having some kind of bias towards Musharraf which was
reflective of the Indian establishment attitude towards Pakistan and its leader. The same
was reflected in the coverage.
Suhasini Haidar also mentioned a high level interaction with Indian officials who were
against any invitation to the Pakistan leader. Karan Thapar talked about skepticism
towards Musharraf due to Kargil and his “less-than-respectful” attitude towards Vajpayee
when he visited Lahore in 1999. Thus media had pre-set structural constraints towards
peace talks with Pakistan. He said the Indian media had their dominant view that
Musharraf’s meeting with journalists was major setback for the summit. It was shown
live and had bad effect on the Indian audience. Thapar was less categorical to blame
media for failure but believed that media was negative and as usual not helping the cause
of peace.
Shujaat Bukhari was more direct to blame Indian media for the summit fiasco. He also
blamed the coverage of Musharraf’s breakfast meeting as major factor for failure of talks.
He also said that the hype created by media was unrealistic and had its fallout.
336
Thus, all experts agreed that media coverage was one of the major reasons for the failure
of the talks.
5.1.2- Parliament Attack
Dawn published 29 stories during the coverage period of 15 days. Six stories originated
from Islamabad, nine from New Delhi and 14 from other places in Pakistan and India.
Thirteen were bylined while 16 given credit-lines. Majority 15 came through official
sources, six through mix sources and eight through anonymous sources. Majority 19 had
conflict angle as compared to seven with peace angle and just three falling in the neutral
category. Majority 20 had negative impact on the ties of the two countries while nine had
positive influence. Another important thing was that eight stories had “extremely
negative” impact on ties but not a single story had “extremely positive” impact, according
to the pre-defined scale.
Table 5.6: Dawn Coverage (Dec 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack
De Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

c ies Is Dl O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
200 b h th wn own S S S P P N N
1
6 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
7 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
8 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
9 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
10 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
13 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
14 4 1 1 2 2 3 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 1
15 4 1 1 2 2 2 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
16 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
17 5 1 2 2 3 2 3 1 1 0 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 1
18 No P a P E R - E I d - - - - - - - -
19 No - - - - - - E I d - - - - - - - -
20 6 1 1 4 3 3 6 0 0 3 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 0
Tot 29 6 9 14 13 16 1 6 8 7 1 3 7 2 0 3 9 8
al 5 9
337
The News was used as the second newspaper from Pakistan to see the coverage of the
parliament attack and it published 46 stories in the allotted period: December 6-20, 2001.
Its 17 stories had Islamabad dateline, 13 New Delhi and 16 came from other places in the
two countries. The byline was an issue as only 10 stories had a byline as compared to 36
without it. On the sourcing side, the paper’s majority 36 stories had official sources as
compared to six each using mixed and anonymous sources. Majority 35 stories were pro-
conflict as compared to just five pro-peace. Similarly, majority 37 had negative impact on
ties while only nine had positive implications for relations.
Table 5.7: The News Coverage (Dec 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack

01
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 2 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
8 2 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
9 3 1 1 1 0 3 2 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
10 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
11 2 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
12 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
13 3 0 2 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
14 9 4 3 2 2 7 6 1 2 3 5 1 1 3 0 1 4 0
15 10 5 4 1 4 6 7 2 1 0 6 4 2 0 0 2 3 3
16 4 1 0 3 1 3 3 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
17 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
18 No - P A P E r - E i d - - - - - - -
19 No - P A P E r - E i d - - - - - -
20 6 3 1 2 1 5 5 1 0 1 4 1 2 0 0 0 2 2
To 46 1 13 16 10 36 3 6 4 5 3 6 5 4 0 4 2 8
tal 7 4 5 5
The Hindu was the main paper from India for the parliament attack coverage. It published
57 stories - four stories per day during the 15-day coverage period. Majority of its 32
stories originated from New Delhi, eight from Islamabad and 17 from other cities of the
two countries. Twenty-six of its stories had by-lines while 31 were without it. Majority
38 stories came from official sources, while 10 were anonymous. Huge majority of 54
were in conflict category as compared to just two in the positive and one in the neutral
338
category. The coverage focused on the negative aspects and 54 stories were in the
category which had a negative impact on the relations with Pakistan, as compared to just
three stories trying to have a positive impact.
Table 5.8: The Hindu Coverage (Dec 6-20, 2001) of Parliament Attack

6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 2 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
9 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
10 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 2 0 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
13 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
14 4 2 2 0 4 0 2 2 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 2
15 6 1 3 2 4 2 4 1 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
16 6 1 1 4 3 3 5 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 3
17 7 0 5 2 2 5 7 0 0 1 6 0 0 1 0 1 4 1
18 7 0 5 2 3 4 4 0 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 6 0
19 9 1 6 2 2 7 7 2 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 1 6 2
20 10 2 7 1 5 5 6 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0
To 57 8 32 17 26 31 3 9 1 2 5 1 1 2 0 7 3 8
tal 8 0 4 9
The Times of India has been used as second paper from India to measure the coverage of
parliament attack. The paper carried 79 stories about Pak-India ties at the average of over
five pieces per day. Majority 39 stories were from cities other than Islamabad and New
Delhi. Sixty-three stories were without bylines while only 16 were bylined. Thirty-seven
came from official sources while 22 had mixed sources while 20 came through
anonymous sources. Majority 70 had a conflict angle as compared to three as having a
peace angle. The number of stories with negative impact on the ties was 70, which was
far ahead of just nine with positive impact on the ties of the two nations. Out of 70 falling
in the negative category, 17 were extremely negative on the scale used for measuring the
impact.
339
Table 5.9: The Times of India Coverage (Dec 6-22, 2001) of Parliament Attack

01
6 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
7 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
8 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
9 6 2 1 3 0 6 0 3 3 0 6 0 0 0 0 3 2 1
10 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
11 6 2 1 3 1 5 3 3 0 0 4 2 2 0 0 2 2 0
12 3 1 1 1 0 3 2 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 0
13 6 1 4 1 6 0 1 3 2 0 5 1 1 0 0 2 2 1
14 4 2 1 1 1 3 3 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
15 5 1 1 3 0 5 3 0 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 4
16 7 1 3 3 1 6 3 1 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 4 2
17 10 2 3 5 0 10 5 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 4 1
0
18 5 0 1 4 0 5 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 2 1
19 13 2 4 7 1 12 7 2 4 1 1 1 2 0 0 5 3 3
1
20 9 1 2 6 2 7 5 2 2 0 8 1 1 0 0 1 6 1
To 79 1 25 39 16 63 3 2 2 3 7 6 8 1 0 2 2 1
tal 5 7 2 0 0 4 9 7
The summary of the coverage shows that 211 stories were published by the four papers,
including 75 by Pakistan and 136 by Indian papers. Times of India led the coverage with
79 stories, followed by The Hindu with 57, The News with 46 and Dawn with 29. Total
46 stories originated from Islamabad, 79 from New Delhi and 86 from other cities. Sixty
five stories were bylined and 146 non-byliners. Their 124 stories came from known
sources like pressers, 43 from mixed and another 44 from anonymous sources. The
papers published 178 stories with conflict angle, as compared to just 17 with a peace
perspective.
The overall coverage was damaging for the relations as 181 stories highlighted the
negative aspects of the ties as compared to 30 stories showing the positive side of the
relations. The number of negative stories in the Indian papers was higher with 125, as
compared to 57 in the Pakistan papers. The number of positive stories in the Indian
papers was 12 while the same in the Pakistani papers was 18.
340
Table 5.10: Total Coverage of Parliament Attack

Dawn 29 6 9 14 13 16 15 6 8 7 1 3 7 2 0 3 9 8
9
The 46 17 13 16 10 36 34 6 6 5 3 6 5 4 0 4 2 8
News 5 5
Total 75 23 22 30 23 52 49 12 1 1 5 9 1 6 0 7 3 16
4 2 4 2 4
The 57 8 32 17 26 31 38 9 1 2 5 1 1 2 0 7 3 8
Hindu 0 4 9
TOI 79 15 25 39 16 63 37 22 2 3 7 6 8 1 0 2 2 17
0 0 4 9
Total 13 23 57 56 42 94 75 31 3 5 1 7 9 3 0 3 6 25
6 0 2 1 8
4
Grand 21 46 79 86 65 146 12 43 4 1 1 1 2 9 0 3 1 41
Total 1 4 4 7 7 6 1 8 0
8 2
TOI: Times of India
According to experts, the coverage of the parliament attack in Pakistan was highly
opinionated in the favour of the official point of view that it was stage-managed by the
Indian intelligence agencies to trap Pakistan after 9/11 and build a case for attack on it.
Ziauddin said the official truth prevailed in media of Pakistan, which just blindly took the
bait offered by government. The place of difference was limited as it was the time of
Musharraf’s military rule and also such stories offered juicy anti-Indian stuff which local
media liked to play up.
Yusufzai almost echoed Ziauddin’s point of view. He said that the Pakistani media took
the official line that India “stage-managed” the attack to leverage the post 9/11 situation
in its favour. He said that only rare independent articles and news appeared in the media
about the involvement of Pakistani militants in the attack. The majority favoured the
official statements and press releases which blamed India.
Siddiq also accepted that media in Pakistan was following the official version of the
attack. He said that the Pakistan media was highly skeptical about India blaming Pakistan
341
for the attack. It was believed and portrayed that in a kneejerk reaction, India was trying
to put its failing at Pakistan’s door. It was part of India strategy to just drag Pakistan into
the attack to find an excuse to launch counter-attacks like that the United States did in
Afghanistan.
The Indian experts said that the Indian electronic media coverage was mostly factual in
the beginning but the tone of media changed after the Indian government blamed
Pakistan militants for the attack. The government was leading the onslaught on Pakistan
and media just followed. It shows that media failed to play its role of independent
watchdog and played in the hands of the officials.
Once Pakistan was blamed, the drumbeats started and there was no looking back. Karan
Thapar said media was with the public and believed that the attacks were a handiwork of
militants from Pakistan. For Thapar, it was not important who first blamed Pakistan, as
the backlash was already coming and the Indian decision to mobilize the army was part
of it.
Suhasini Haidar said that media did what everyone at that time wanted: to drum up frenzy
for a response to the attack. She had the firsthand experience of the attack as she was
inside the parliament building when militants tried to storm it. She said media showed
what happened at that time. It was factual but later on the government officials took over
as they started blaming Pakistan. Media was just giving what it was told. It had no role in
the decision of moving the army to the border as it was essentially a decision by the
government. But when the forces were marching in a battle array, the patriotism ran high
and media just showed it. So, it was doing what officials wanted at that time.
Shujaat Bukhari said that media had no independent means to get information as it came
from the official sources. But it failed to filter the information and just passed it on to the
people as it came out from the government. He thus accused media of failing to play the
role of a watchdog to give exact information to the people.
The experts from the two countries shared the view that media in both countries was
depending on the government for the information and in rush it failed to exercise control
and thus indirectly contributed to the tension between the two countries. It was also said
342
that the mobilization of armed forces was a decision by the governments but media didn’t
criticise it and also failed to highlight the horrors of a possible nuclear war.
5.1.3- Military Standoff
The analysis of coverage of the military standoff of 2002 in print and electronic media of
Pakistan and India is presented below.
Dawn published 106 stories during the coverage period which was spread over the
selected five days of three months in 2002. The average per day coverage was seven
stories. Majority 74 stories were from cities other than capitals of Pakistan and India.
Twenty-one stories were datelined Islamabad and 11 as New Delhi. Majority 99 stories
were without bylines as compared to seven byliners. Fifty-four stories used official
sources, while 36 had mixed sources and 16 came through the anonymous channels.
Sixty-four had conflict slant in the coverage while 19 had a positive slant. A good
number of 23 were neutral. The impact of majority 70 stories was negative on ties as
compared to 36 trying to have a positive impact.
Table 5.11: Dawn Coverage (Jan 1-5, June 1-5, Oct 1-5, 2002) of Military Standoff
Ja Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

n, ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
02 b lh th wn own S S S P P N N
1 15 2 0 13 2 13 8 7 0 4 7 4 5 2 0 1 7 0
2 10 4 0 6 1 9 5 4 1 0 6 4 1 0 0 4 4 1
3 15 3 2 10 1 14 6 8 1 0 1 4 2 0 0 3 9 1
1
4 10 2 0 8 1 9 6 3 1 4 4 2 6 0 0 2 2 0
5 13 1 2 10 1 12 7 4 2 2 6 5 5 2 0 0 6 0
Jun 4 1 1 2 0 4 3 1 0 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 2 0
e, 1
2 7 1 0 6 0 7 4 3 0 3 4 0 2 0 1 2 1 1
3 5 0 1 4 0 5 4 0 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 1
4 4 1 1 2 0 4 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 2
5 6 1 0 5 0 6 1 4 1 0 4 2 2 0 0 0 2 2
Oct 3 1 0 2 0 3 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
,1
2 3 2 1 0 0 3 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0
3 4 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
4 3 0 0 3 0 3 1 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
343
5 4 1 2 1 0 4 3 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
To 106 2 1 74 7 99 5 3 1 1 6 2 3 5 1 1 4 1
tal 1 1 4 6 6 9 4 3 0 5 1 4
Two different papers were used to second the coverage from Pakistan during the military
tension of 2002. The Frontier Post was used for five days and Daily Times for 10 days.
They published 80 stories at the rate of over three stories in a day. Thirty stories
originated from Islamabad, 10 from New Delhi and 40 from other cities of the two
countries. Only 13 stories were bylined as compared to 67 without it. Forty-three came
from official, 22 from mixed sources and 15 from the anonymous channels. Majority 50
were pro-conflict, 10 pro-peace and 20 as neutral. The overall pattern of impact was not
different from other papers as 56 stories were negative for the ties and 24 had positive
angle for the relations of the two countries.
Table 5.12: FP (Jan 1-5, 2002) and DT (June 1-5 & Oct 1-5, 2002) on Military
Standoff
Jan, Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

02, ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
FP b lh th wn own S S S P P N N
1 7 4 1 2 1 6 3 3 1 5 1 0 1 0 2 4 0
2 9 4 1 4 2 7 6 2 1 1 4 4 3 1 0 1 3 1
3 11 5 1 5 1 10 4 5 2 2 7 2 3 1 0 0 5 2
4 8 3 0 5 0 8 6 1 1 3 4 1 4 0 0 0 1 3
5 9 4 1 4 1 8 5 2 2 1 5 3 4 0 0 0 4 1
DT: 9 0 3 6 0 9 4 2 3 0 8 1 0 0 0 2 5 2
Jun
1
2 4 2 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 1
3 4 0 0 4 0 4 2 1 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 2 1
4 5 1 1 3 1 4 2 1 2 0 3 2 1 1 0 0 2 1
5/6 5 3 0 2 1 4 2 2 1 1 3 1 2 0 0 1 2 0
Oct 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1
2 5 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 0 1 2 2 1 1 0 1 2 0
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Tot 80 3 1 40 13 67 4 2 1 1 5 2 1 5 0 8 3 1
al 0 0 3 2 5 0 0 0 9 6 2
FP: The Frontier Post, DT: Daily Times
344
The Hindu carried 69 stories during the allotted coverage period. Its 19 stories originated
from New Delhi, eight from Islamabad and 42 from cities. The paper gave bylines to 33
stories as compared to 36 without it. Majority 42 came from official sources as compared
to 18 from mixed and nine from anonymous sources. The number of pro-conflict stories
was 48 while that of pro-peace was 16 and neutral just five. The stories impacting
negatively on the relations of Pakistan and India were 47 while those positively
influencing the ties were 22.
Table 5.13: The Hindu Coverage (Jan 1-5, June 1-5, Oct 1-5, 2002) of Military
Standoff
Jan Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

, 01 ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
1 9 3 3 3 6 3 6 2 1 3 5 1 4 0 0 0 4 1
2 5 0 2 3 1 4 2 1 2 2 3 0 2 2 0 0 2 1
3 5 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 2 2 1
4 5 0 1 4 2 3 3 1 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 1
5 8 2 2 4 4 4 6 1 1 1 5 3 3 0 0 1 4 0
Jun 8 0 1 7 4 4 7 0 1 3 5 0 3 0 0 0 4 1
e,1
2 4 1 2 1 1 3 2 2 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
3 8 0 1 7 3 5 4 4 0 3 4 1 3 1 0 2 2 0
4 3 0 1 2 2 1 0 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
5 6 0 1 5 2 4 3 2 1 1 4 1 2 1 0 2 1 0
Oct 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
,1
1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
5 4 0 2 2 2 2 3 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Tot 69 8 1 42 33 36 4 1 9 1 4 5 2 2 0 7 3 6
al 9 2 8 6 8 0 4
The Tribune is the second paper used for coverage of military standoff. It carried 78
stories during the allotted period at the rate of five stories in a day. Only 12 stories were
from Islamabad, 16 from New Delhi and 50 from other cities. Sixteen stories were
bylined while 62 were having credit-lines. The number of stories using official and open
sources was 38 while those coming from mixed sources were 19 and from anonymous
channels were 21. Fifty stories were pro-conflict, seven pro-peace and 21 neutral.
345
Majority 62 stories had negative impact on the ties as compared to just 16 having positive
impact.
Table 5.14: The Tribune Coverage (Jan 1-5, June 1-5, Oct 1-5, 2002) of Military
standoff

n, ies Is Dl O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
1 10 0 5 5 2 8 7 1 2 3 4 3 3 2 0 1 3 1
2 13 6 1 6 1 12 6 3 4 1 7 5 5 0 0 1 5 2
3 8 1 1 6 4 4 1 4 3 0 6 2 1 0 0 3 3 1
4 7 0 1 6 4 3 3 3 1 1 6 0 0 1 0 1 4 1
5 11 0 3 8 2 9 5 3 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 8 1
0
Jun 3 0 1 2 0 3 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
e, 1
2 3 0 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
3 6 0 0 6 1 5 5 0 1 2 4 0 1 1 0 0 2 2
4 3 0 0 3 0 3 1 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
5 7 2 0 5 1 6 1 3 3 0 6 1 1 0 0 2 3 1
Oct 2 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
,1
2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 4 1 2 1 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
To 78 1 16 50 16 62 3 1 2 7 5 2 1 4 0 1 4 1
tal 2 8 9 1 0 1 2 0 1 1
The selected papers published 333 stories - 186 by the Pakistan papers and 147 in the
Indian papers - during the allotted days. Their 71 stories originated from Islamabad, 56
from New Delhi and 206 from other cities. The non-byliners were 264 as compared to
just 69 byliners. The stories coming from known channels were 177 while mixed sources
were used for 95 and anonymous sources for 61 news items.
The tone of coverage was pro-conflict as 212 stories had some kind of negative angle.
The pro-peace items were 52 while another 69 were treated as neutral. The coverage
showed the relations in negative light with overwhelming 235 stories. The number of
news showing the positive side of ties or promoting goodwill was 98. In terms of the
number of stories, the Pakistani media was ahead of the Indian side with the
346
corresponding ratio of negative and positive stories being 126 and 60 versus 109 and 28
respectively.
Table 5.15: Total Coverage of Military Standoff

Dawn 10 21 11 74 7 99 54 36 1 1 6 2 3 5 1 1 4 14
6 6 9 4 3 0 5 1
FP 80 30 10 40 13 67 43 22 1 1 5 2 1 5 0 8 3 12
&DT 5 0 0 0 9 6
Total 18 51 21 11 20 166 97 58 3 2 1 4 4 1 1 2 7 26
6 4 1 9 1 3 9 0 3 7
4
The 69 8 19 42 33 36 42 18 9 1 4 5 2 2 0 7 3 6
Hindu 6 8 0 4
The 78 12 16 50 16 62 38 19 2 7 5 2 1 4 0 1 4 11
Tribu 1 0 1 2 0 1
ne
Total 14 20 35 92 49 98 80 37 3 2 9 2 3 6 0 1 7 17
7 0 3 8 6 2 7 5
Grand 33 71 56 20 69 264 17 95 6 5 2 6 8 1 1 4 1 43
Total 3 6 7 1 2 1 9 1 6 0 5
2 2
The experts said that the Pakistan media stood with the armed forces and supported the
mobilization of troops. The jingoistic flavor in coverage was evident. Pakistan blamed
India for the faceoff and media tried to present the country as victim. The media also
tried to show that India would eventually back off. The anti-war stories were just few and
the mainstream electronic media was busy in flashing the official truth that Pakistan was
a victim and sending troops to the border as a national duty to defend a possible external
aggression.
Ziauddin said media in Pakistan simply adopted the position of the government of the day
and joined the drumbeating in favour of the armed forces. Rahimullah Yusufzai said that
the decision to mobilize the forces was taken by Pakistan army and media had no role in
it. But later on, it joined the officials to justify it and whip up the popular sentiments in
the support of war. Javed Siddiq said media was responsible for creating war-hype in the
347
country. It portrayed that India was ready to strike Pakistan and it was duty to defend the
country.
The Pakistani experts agreed that local media was pro-war at the time and stood with the
government and army.
According to the Indian experts, the Indian government kept the initiative in its hands and
media played the role of a national monolith body which was exhorting the nation to
prepare for war. The saner voices were very few and anti-war stories almost nonexistent.
The talk-shows and top of the hour news were giving space to pro-war sentiments.
Suhasini Haidar said that media was given this understanding by the government that
there would be a war with Pakistan. It was in the presumptive frame of upcoming conflict
and was digging hard to side with the nation. In her opinion, the coverage was shockingly
anti-peace and war frenzy beamed out of television sets. Every small move was shown in
big way. In some cases Indian media was ahead of government to portray a war like
situation. Shujaat Bukhari seconded views of Haidar that media was highly negative
during the standoff and it sided with the government and followed the official
propaganda blindly. It also failed to serve the cause of peace and played role in increasing
the tension.
The experts from the two countries shared the views that coverage of the military
standoff was highly tilted along the nationalistic lines and anti-peace stories were
prominent.
5.1.4- Composite Dialogue
The composite dialogue was a rare period of positive coverage by the media of Pakistan
and India. The analysis of coverage is presented below.
Dawn published 87 stories during the 15-day coverage period spread over three different
years. The average was almost six stories per day. The majority of 36 stories originated
from Islamabad, 24 from New Delhi and 27 from other cities. The issue of byline was
still there, as 78 were without bylines and just nine used proper bylines. Fifty-one stories
came from the official sources, 24 from mixed ones and 12 from anonymous sources. The
348
number of pro-peace stories was 52 while 20 were pro-conflict and 15 neutral. The
number of stories seen as having positive impact on the relations was 66 as compared to
21 having negative influence.
Table 5.16: Dawn coverage (Jan, 2005; April, 2005; July 2006) of Composite
Dialogue

n ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
3 11 6 2 3 0 11 7 2 2 5 2 4 5 3 1 1 1 0
4 6 5 0 1 0 6 3 3 0 5 0 1 3 3 0 0 0 0
5 5 4 0 1 0 5 1 0 4 5 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0
6 10 6 1 3 0 10 5 4 1 8 2 0 1 5 2 1 1 0
7 10 7 2 1 0 10 6 2 2 5 1 4 4 4 1 1 0 0
Ap 4 0 2 2 0 4 2 2 0 3 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0
r
15
16 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
17 8 1 4 3 2 6 5 3 0 5 3 0 0 5 0 3 0 0
18 8 0 6 2 1 7 5 2 1 5 1 2 6 0 1 0 0
19 7 0 5 2 2 5 6 0 1 6 1 0 1 4 1 0 1 0
Jul 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
y9
10 2 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
11 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
12 4 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 1
13 6 2 0 4 1 5 4 2 0 3 3 0 2 1 0 1 1 1
To 87 3 2 27 9 78 5 2 1 5 2 1 2 3 8 1 8 2
tal 6 4 1 4 2 2 0 5 1 7 1
Three different papers were used to second the coverage as per research design. These
were The Nation, The Frontier Post and Daily Times having collectively published 61
stories during the selected time. The average was four stories in a day. Their 36 stories
originated from Islamabad, 12 from New Delhi and 13 from other cities. Twenty stories
had bylines. Thirty-four stories came from official sources while 22 from mixed and five
from anonymous channels. Majority 32 were pro-peace stories as compared to 14 pro-
conflict and five neutral. The papers gave positive coverage to the composite dialogue
with 42 positive stories while 19 stories were negative for relations.
349
Table 5.17: The Nation (Jan, 2004), FP (April, 2005), DT (July 2006): Composite
Dialogue

n ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
3 6 4 0 2 4 2 2 3 1 3 1 2 2 2 0 1 1 0
4 4 5 0 1 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 0 3 0 0
5 8 6 0 2 4 4 4 4 0 6 1 1 2 3 1 2 0 0
6 11 8 1 2 5 6 7 4 0 5 3 3 1 6 1 1 2 0
7 7 7 0 0 4 3 4 2 1 4 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 0
Ap 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
r
15
16 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
17 3 0 1 2 0 3 3 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 0
18 7 1 6 0 1 6 4 3 0 4 2 1 1 4 0 2 0 0
19 5 0 3 2 0 5 4 1 0 4 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 0
Jul 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
y9
10 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
11 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
12 2 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
To 61 3 1 13 20 41 3 2 5 3 1 1 1 2 4 1 5 0
tal 6 2 4 2 2 4 5 3 5 4
The Hindu used as main paper from India published 46 stories at the rate of over three in
a day. Its 30 stories originated from New Delhi, eight from Islamabad and eight from
other cities. Thirty-four stories used official sources, seven mixed sources and five came
from anonymous sources. Pro-peace stories were 27, which were more in number as
compared to 17 pro-conflict and two neutral pieces. The overall coverage was good for
the ties with 29 positive stories while 17 were negative for the ties.
Table 5.18: The Hindu Coverage (Jan, 2004; April, 2005; July 2006) of Composite
Dialogue

n ies Is Dl O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
b h th wn own S S S P P N N
3 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
4 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
5 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
350
6 3 1 2 0 1 2 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
7 3 3 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
Ap 5 0 4 1 2 3 4 0 1 1 4 0 0 1 0 1 3 0
ril
15
16 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
17 5 0 3 2 4 1 3 2 0 4 1 0 3 2 0 0 0 0
18 9 0 8 1 2 7 5 0 4 7 1 1 6 1 1 1 0 0
19 6 0 5 1 4 2 3 3 0 4 1 1 3 0 1 0 2 0
Jul 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
y9
10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 6 0 3 3 1 5 5 1 0 2 4 0 2 0 0 1 2 1
13 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
To 46 8 30 8 21 25 3 7 5 2 1 2 1 8 5 6 9 2
tal 4 7 7 6
Three papers were used as the second source to see the coverage by Indian media around
the allotted period for the composite dialogue. The three papers published 39 stories, over
two stories per day. Twelve stories originated from Islamabad, 16 from New Delhi and
11 from other cities. These papers had 18 stories with byline and 21 without it. Eighteen
stories came from officials saying things on record, while 16 came from mixed sources
and five from anonymous channels. The pro-peace and pro-conflict categories had 15
stories each. The positive and negative impact stories were also almost equal with 19
falling in the group of positive impact pieces and 20 in the negative category.
Table 5.19: The Indian Express, The Telegraph and Deccan Herald on Composite
Dialogue

n ies Is Dl O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
3 3 0 1 2 0 3 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
4 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
5 2 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
6 6 3 1 2 3 3 4 2 0 4 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 0
7 5 3 0 2 4 1 1 3 1 4 1 0 0 3 1 1 0 0
Ap 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
15
16 3 0 1 2 2 1 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 0
17 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
351
18 3 0 3 0 2 1 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0
19 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0
Jul 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9
10 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
11 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
12 3 0 3 0 1 2 2 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
13 5 1 3 1 0 5 3 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
To 39 1 16 11 18 21 1 1 5 1 1 9 5 9 5 8 9 3
tal 2 8 6 5 5
The papers of the two countries published 233 stories including 148 by Pakistan and 85
by the Indian newspapers. Their 92 stories originated from Islamabad, 82 from New
Delhi and 59 from other places in the two countries. The non-byliners once again
exceeded with 165 to 68 bylined stories. The dependence of known official sources was
heavy, as in previous cases, the papers used such sources for 137 stories as compared to
27 anonymous and 69 news with mixed sources. Surprisingly, the peace element was
dominant with 126 stories as compared to 66 conflict and 41 neutral news items. This
trend was also visible in the overall impact as the positive impact stories were 156 as
compared to 77 negative impact stories.
Table 5.20: Total Coverage of Composite Dialogue

Dawn 87 36 24 27 9 78 51 24 1 5 2 1 2 3 8 1 8 2
2 2 0 5 1 7 1
TN, 61 36 12 13 20 41 34 22 5 3 1 1 1 2 4 1 5 0
FP & 2 4 5 3 5 4
DT
Total 14 72 36 40 29 119 85 46 1 8 3 3 3 6 1 2 1 2
8 7 4 4 0 4 2 2 5 3
The 46 8 30 8 21 25 34 7 5 2 1 2 1 8 5 6 9 2
Hindu 7 7 6
TIE, 39 12 16 11 18 21 18 16 5 1 1 9 5 9 5 8 9 3
TT & 5 5
DC
Total 85 20 46 19 39 46 52 23 1 4 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 5
0 2 2 1 1 7 0 4 8
Grand 23 92 82 59 68 165 13 69 2 1 6 4 5 7 2 3 3 7
Total 3 7 7 2 6 1 5 9 2 9 1
6
352
TN: The Nation
TIE: The Indian Express
TT: The Telegraph
DC: Deccan Herald
The Pakistani experts said that media in Pakistan was in favor of the composite dialogue
as it considered it a success of the foreign ministry to goad India into talks.
Ziauddin said Pakistan wanted Kashmir at the center of talks and India partially endorsed
it by accepting the dialogue. The experts agreed that media played a positive role in peace
process. But the bottom-line was that it was supportive of the peace move as Pakistan’s
military government wanted it to be supportive. India agreed to accept all issues of
concern in the dialogue and media was ecstatic about it as it was victory of the Pakistani
official policy. Rahimullah Yusufzai said that media was positive but it showed it as a
victory of Pakistan due to prospects of talks on Kashmir, which India previously did not
agree to. Javed Siddiq said that media favoured the dialogue and supported it with pro-
peace coverage. He said instead of conflict, the Pakistani media highlighted the
importance of the regional stability and economic cooperation.
Thus, Pakistani experts said that media was supportive of the composite dialogue.
The coverage of the composite dialogue shows that media in India was quite attentive to
the officials. The tone of coverage was positive right from the beginning as the Indian
government wanted to give a positive spin to the peace talks. The experts agree that
positive coverage of the composite dialogue was derailed by the Mumbai attack which is
still haunting the peace efforts between the two countries.
Karan Thapar recalled that the coverage was positive but the Indian media also tried to
show it as the Indian victory rather than an effort to find a durable solution to bring
peace. Suhasini Haidar said that media was positive about the launch of the peace process
but “so was the government of India.” The trajectory of media coverage was same as on
previous occasion and media reported what government of the day wanted it to report.
She said that the Indian government was using media for its vested interest. Shujaat
353
Bukhari said media was positive about launch of the composite dialogue. It welcomed the
initiative.
The dominant expert view was that the coverage of the composite dialogue was positive
as both governments supported it. The media of the countries lived with their respective
tradition of showing what the governments wanted.
5.1.5- Mumbai Attack
The analysis of the Mumbai Attack coverage in the selected media of Pakistan and India
is separately presented below.
Dawn published 41 stories in the 15-day period around the Mumbai attack. The coverage
was low as just over two stories a day were published. Eleven stories originated from
Islamabad, 13 from New Delhi and 17 from the other cities. It had 16 bylines as
compared to 25 stories without a byline. The paper carried 21 stories which came from
the official sources while it had 13 stories from the mixed sources and seven from the
anonymous channels. Eighteen stories were pro-conflict as compared to 12 pro-peace and
11 neutral. The impact was almost equally divided between negative (21) and positive
stories (20) stories.
Table 5.21: Dawn Coverage (Nov 19- Dec 3, 2008) of Mumbai Attack
No Stor Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

v ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
19 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
20 2 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 3 0 3 0 1 2 3 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
23 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
24 4 1 0 3 0 4 2 2 0 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0
25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
26 2 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
27 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
28 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 0
29 3 1 2 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0
30 2 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0
De 5 0 2 3 2 3 2 2 1 1 4 0 0 1 0 0 4 0
c, 1
354
2 4 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
3 6 2 1 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 3 0
To 41 1 1 17 16 25 2 1 7 1 1 1 1 8 2 3 1 4
tal 1 3 1 3 2 8 1 0 4
The News published 65 stories, including 32 from Islamabad, eight from New Delhi and
25 from other cities of the two countries. Only 20 were properly bylined while 45 used
anonymous credit-lines. Thirty-eight stories were from official sources, seven from
mixed and 20 from anonymous sources. As many as twenty-seven stories had conflict
angle while 17 highlighted peace scenarios and 21 were in the category of neutral. There
were 33 stories in the group of negative impact while an almost equal number of 32
stories were branded as positive impact stories.
Table 5.22: The News Coverage (Nov19- Dec 3) of Mumbai Attack

v ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
19 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
20 3 2 1 0 1 2 1 0 2 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 1 0
21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 3 2 0 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0
23 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
24 2 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
26 3 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
27 3 0 1 2 0 3 2 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 1
28 6 3 0 3 1 5 3 1 2 0 3 3 2 0 0 1 1 2
29 9 6 0 3 4 5 7 0 2 4 3 2 5 1 0 0 2 1
30 7 4 0 3 2 5 3 0 4 1 5 1 0 1 0 3 2 1
De 7 3 1 3 1 6 6 1 0 3 2 2 4 0 0 2 1 0
c1
2 6 2 1 3 0 6 4 0 6 0 3 3 3 0 0 0 1 2
3 13 6 1 6 6 7 7 2 4 5 2 6 8 1 0 1 2 1
To 65 3 8 25 20 45 3 7 2 1 2 2 2 6 1 1 1 9
tal 2 8 0 7 7 1 5 1 3
The Hindu published 46 stories including 19 with Islamabad dateline, 12 New Delhi and
15 having datelines from other different cities of the two countries. Its 39 stories were
bylined as compared to nine non-byliners. Twenty-one stories came from known officials
355
while 12 were from mixed sources and 13 from anonymous people. Majority 37 were
pro-conflict stories while only five were pro-peace and four neutral. The impact was
heavily tilted towards the negative side with 37 stories as compared to nine positive
stories for the relations.
Table 5.23: The Hindu Coverage (Nov 19 to Dec 3) of Mumbai Attack

v ies Is Dl O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
19 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
24 2 2 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
25 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
26 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
27 3 1 1 1 3 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1
28 7 1 3 3 5 2 2 3 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 4 2
29 6 3 1 2 5 1 3 2 1 1 5 0 1 0 0 0 4 1
30 5 2 1 2 3 2 3 1 1 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
De 7 1 2 4 6 1 3 1 3 0 6 1 1 0 0 0 5 1
c, 1
2 7 2 3 2 6 1 4 1 2 0 6 1 1 0 0 1 2 3
3 3 2 0 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
To 46 1 12 15 37 9 2 1 1 5 3 4 8 0 1 7 2 9
tal 9 1 2 3 7 1
The Times of India published 76 stories - over five stories per day. The coverage was
higher than any other paper included in the research for the Mumbai attack. Twenty-five
stories originated from Islamabad, 22 from New Delhi and 29 from other cities. Sixty-
two stories were not given byline while 14 had proper bylines. Thirty-four stories were
from known sources, 26 from mixed sources and 16 from unknown sources. Majority 48
had conflict angle, 10 had positive spin while 18 were neutral. The net impact was
negative with 56 stories as compared to 20 stories with positive outlook on the ties of
Pakistan and India.
356
Table 5.24: The Times of India Coverage (Nov 19-Dec3) of Mumbai Attacks

c ies Is D O Kno Unkn O M A P C N S P E S N E
19 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
20 4 1 2 1 0 4 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 0
21 2 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
22 3 1 2 0 0 3 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
23 4 2 1 1 0 4 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 1 2 0
24 2 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
25 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
26 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
27 6 2 0 4 2 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 1 0 0 0 2
28 8 3 1 4 0 8 4 3 1 1 6 1 1 0 1 1 4 1
29 7 2 1 4 1 6 4 2 1 1 5 1 0 1 0 1 4 1
30 5 1 3 1 0 5 1 2 2 0 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 1
De 9 4 2 3 3 6 4 5 0 1 5 3 1 1 0 2 1 4
c,1
2 6 1 2 3 2 4 3 1 2 0 5 1 1 0 0 1 2 2
3 16 4 7 5 5 11 6 6 4 0 1 4 1 0 0 5 7 3
2
Tot 76 2 2 29 14 62 3 2 1 1 4 1 1 7 3 1 2 1
al 5 2 4 6 6 0 8 8 0 5 4 7
The selected four papers of the two countries collectively published 228 stories, including
106 from Pakistan and 122 from India, of which 87 had Islamabad dateline, 55 used New
Delhi dateline and another 86 originated from other cities. The issue of byline was similar
to previous coverage as 87 items were bylined while 141 were not. The dependence on
the known official sources was also there as the paper used officials for 114 stories. Their
56 news used anonymous channels and another 58 mixed sources.
The pro-conflict stories were 130 while pro-peace were 44. The negative impact stories
were higher with 147 as compared to 81 positive influence news items. The Pakistan
media had 52 positive and 54 negative impact stories. The Indian media published 93
negative impact stories which were higher than its 29 positive impact stories.
Table 5.5: Total Coverage of Mumbai Attack

357
Dawn 41 11 13 17 16 25 21 13 7 1 1 1 1 8 2 3 1 4
2 8 1 0 4
The 65 32 8 25 20 45 38 7 2 1 2 2 2 6 1 1 1 9
News 0 7 7 1 5 1 3
Total 10 43 21 42 36 70 59 20 2 2 4 3 3 1 3 1 2 13
6 7 9 5 2 5 4 4 7
The 46 19 12 15 37 9 21 12 1 5 3 4 8 0 1 7 2 9
Hindu 3 7 1
TOI 76 25 22 29 14 62 34 26 1 1 4 1 1 7 3 1 2 17
6 0 8 8 0 5 4
Total 12 44 34 44 51 71 55 38 2 1 8 2 1 7 4 2 4 26
2 9 5 5 2 8 2 5
Grand 22 87 55 86 87 141 11 58 5 4 1 5 5 2 7 3 7 39
Total 8 4 6 4 3 4 3 1 6 2
0
The experts said that the Pakistan media performed better in terms of coverage of the
Mumbai attack.
Ziauddin said it was due to a sense of maturity in the electronic media. He said Pakistan
media after Mumbai started taking independent positions on the issues but the Indian
media regressed as it starting towing the official line. Ziauddin also suggested that media
took some steps before the Mumbai incident which had brought the two sides closer. He
mentioned the visits of media delegations from Indian and Pakistan to two parts of
Kashmir which was a big confidence-building measure. He also mentioned the role of
non-profit Safma media organisation which arranged several trips of journalists to both
counties and helped create goodwill in the media circles of the two nations.
Yusufzai also termed the attack as the turning point as far as its coverage was concerned
in Pakistan. He said it was Pakistani electronic media which traced the whereabouts of
Ajmal Kasab who was captured alive by Indian forces. Pakistan media was more
responsible and less susceptible to the official propaganda. Javed Siddiq also said that the
Pakistan electronic media showed maturity in covering the Mumbai attack. It was not
blindly following the official policy but digging up the stories and also giving airtime to
the Indian experts, which was not a common practice in Pakistan.
358
Thus, the experts agreed that the Pakistani electronic and print media played better role in
covering the Mumbai attack, which was a departure from its traditional role of just
showing what the officials wanted.
The Indian experts said that their media provided nonstop 72 hours coverage to the attack
and showed everything live. Suhasini Haidar said that there were insinuations that
Pakistan was involved but there was an element of restraint in the blame. But the
situation changed after December 5 when in an off-record media briefing, an Indian
official said Pakistan spy agency ISI was involved. After that media tore through
Pakistan. It is also believed that the Indian media became skeptical of Pakistan after the
Mumbai incident. The element of restraint was missing in coverage during the Mumbai
attack. Also, the Indian media is still centring the entire debate of relations with Pakistan
on the Mumbai attacks.
Karan Thapar said there was an element of carelessness in the Indian media coverage of
the attack as it showed everything. He also saw an element of Pakistan bashing in the
electronic media but the newspapers were more measured. He believed that media
indirectly played role in suspension of the peace process between the two countries
because after Mumbai, it put pressure on the government of the day. Shujaat Bukhari said
that the Mumbai attack coverage by electronic media was “excessive” and to some extent
uncontrolled. He blamed media for showing lack of restraint in the coverage.
The experts saw the Indian media coverage of the Mumbai in a negative light, and
possibly hurting the relations with Pakistan. The most obvious casualty was the five-year
old peace process which was suspended by India after heavy criticism by the media. The
experts also said that TV anchor-persons indulged in speculations and misdirected the
public.
They agreed that the overall coverage was negative. The Indian media was aggressive
and harmful for ties. The Pakistan media broke some new barriers like reporting about
the residence of Ajmal Kasab but it remained under the official influence and its coverage
was not free of biases.
359
5.1.6- Comparison of Pak-India Media
The Pakistani newspapers published 784 stories in the selected 75 days coverage period,
which shows that per day coverage was more than 10 news items. The majority of 269
stories were published during 15-day coverage of the Agra Summit. It was followed by
186 stories for military standoff, 148 for composite dialogue, 106 for Mumbai attack and
75 for parliament attack.
Pakistan Media Coverage
269
186
148
106
75
Agra Summit Parliament attack Military Standoff Composite Dialogue Mumbai Attack
Chart 5.1: Pakistan Media Coverage of Five Events
The papers used Islamabad dateline for 262 stories while New Delhi for 183. Majority
339 stories originated from other cities in Pakistan or India. It shows that Pakistan
newspapers reflect the opinion from across the region. However, the Pakistani papers
failed to find adequate bylines as there were just 190 bylines as compared to 594 non-
bylines, showing lack of human resources and lack of emphasis on accuracy. The
sourcing was also not proper as the papers used official sources for 436 stories, mixed
sources for 226 and anonymous sources for 122 news items. The increasing reliance on
the official sources means that papers were increasingly following the agenda-reflecting
pattern and giving more coverage to the “official truth”.
There were total 352 positive and 432 negative stories in the Pakistani newspapers. Thus,
the overall impact of the coverage was negative on the peace process. Within the impact
360
category, majority 194 stories were slightly positive, 138 positive and just 20 as
extremely positive. Similarly, in the negative impact category, 104 were slightly
negative, 247 negative and 81 extremely negative. The negativity in the coverage was
more pervasive and intense.
Table 5.26: Coverage in Pakistan Newspapers
July Sto Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

ries Is D O Kn Unk O M A P C N S P E S N E
b l th ow now S S S P P N N
h n n
Agra 269 7 8 1 82 187 1 9 3 7 1 5 6 4 4 3 9 2
Sum 3 3 1 4 0 3 0 4 1 4 6 5 6 4
mit 3 6 8
Parli 75 2 2 3 23 52 4 1 1 1 5 9 1 6 0 7 3 1
amen 3 2 0 9 2 4 2 4 2 4 6
t
Attac
k
Stand 186 5 2 1 20 166 9 5 3 2 1 4 4 1 1 2 7 2
off 1 1 1 7 8 1 9 1 3 9 0 3 7 6
4 4
Com 148 7 3 4 29 119 8 4 1 8 3 3 3 6 1 2 1 2
posit 2 6 0 5 6 7 4 4 0 4 2 2 5 3
e
Dialo
gue
Mum 106 4 2 4 36 70 5 2 2 2 4 3 3 1 3 1 2 1
bai 3 1 2 9 0 7 9 5 2 5 4 4 7 3
attac
k
Total 784 2 1 3 190 594 4 2 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 2 8
6 8 3 3 2 2 2 9 6 9 3 0 0 4 1
2 3 9 6 6 2 4 5 5 4 8 4 7
Compared with Pakistan’s more than 10 stories a day, the Indian newspapers published
725 stories in the 75-days, at the rate of over nine stories in a day.
361
Indian Media Coverage
235
136 147
122
85
Agra Summit Parliament Attack Military Standoff Composite Dialogue Mumbai Attack
Chart 5.2: Indian Media Coverage of Five Events
Of these 305 stories originated from New Delhi, 141 from Islamabad and 279 from other
locations in the two countries. The papers had 305 bylines and 420 non-bylines, which
was better than the Pakistani newspapers. The sourcing was an issue as 380 stories came
from official sources, while 212 had mixed sources and 133 used anonymous sources.
There were as many as 219 positive and 506 negative stories in the Indian newspapers.
Within the positive category, there were 136 slightly positive, 65 positive and 18
extremely positive. In the negative group, there were 119 slightly negative, 301 negative
and 86 as extremely negative stories. Thus, the negative prevailed in the coverage of
relations.
Table 5.27: Coverage in Indian Newspapers
July Sto Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

ries Is D O Kn Unk O M A P C N S P E S N E
b lh th ow now S S S P P N N
n n
Agra 235 3 1 6 124 111 1 8 3 7 1 3 5 3 4 3 9 1
Sum 4 3 8 1 3 4 0 3 1 6 2 5 5 3
mit 3 8 4
Parlia 136 2 5 5 42 94 7 3 3 5 1 7 9 3 0 3 6 2
ment 3 7 6 5 1 0 2 1 8 5
362
Attac 4
k
Stand 147 2 3 9 49 98 8 3 3 2 9 2 3 6 0 1 7 1
off 0 5 2 0 7 0 3 8 6 2 7 5 7
Com 85 2 4 1 39 46 5 2 1 4 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 5
posite 0 6 9 2 3 0 2 2 1 1 7 0 4 8
Dialo
gue
Mum 122 4 3 4 51 71 5 3 2 1 8 2 1 7 4 2 4 2
bai 4 4 4 5 8 9 5 5 2 8 2 5 6
attack
Total 725 1 3 2 305 420 3 2 1 1 4 9 1 6 1 1 3 8
4 0 7 8 1 3 5 7 7 3 5 8 1 0 6
1 5 9 0 2 3 5 3 6 9 1
The experts were asked to compare the media of the two countries with regard to their
coverage of bilateral ties and impact on peace.
Ziauddin said the Pakistani media played more positive role in the relations of the two
countries than the Indian media, which after Mumbai had become even more narrow-
minded. Yusufzai said the Indian media followed the official line in terms of the foreign
policy and in relations with Pakistan. He said that the Pakistani media is more
independent. “We are livelier and more vibrant. I have no hesitation in saying that we are
sometimes irresponsible,” he said.
Javed Siddiq said the Indian media was more jingoistic during the parliament and
Mumbai attacks. Some media outlets were fomenting the conflict by urging the Indian
government to go for a punitive action. The Pakistani media was more cautious and
thought the situation could lead to a war like scenario which would not be good as
Pakistan army was already stretched and the war would create problems for the country.
Suhasini Haidar said the Pakistani media changed after 2008. Before 2008, it played
extremely active role in highlighting the official policy as it had easy access to the
officials and knew much before time about the events. She said that the Pakistan media
also often played a “mischievous role”, forcing the Indian government to react to what
media was saying. She also said the Indian media was traditionally more restrained but of
late it was the Pakistan media which was following a policy of “more restraint”.
363
Shujaat Bukhari said during the first five years under study, Pakistan media was really
good but in the last five years, it was more defensive. “But I would say that it was more
negative on the Indian side and especially among the TV channels,” he said and then
added that Pakistan has its own channels which “add fuel to the fire”. He also said that
Pakistan’s print media oscillate between positive and negative. It is difficult to judge it
sometimes but “I think Pakistani media is better.”
The general agreement among the experts is that the Pakistan media is better than the
Indian media and the same has been proved by the survey of newspapers.
5.2- Findings
The study shows that media coverage of Pak-India ties depends on the nature of political
relationship. It has been found that media was positive during moments of agreements
like when Musharraf paid a three-day visit to India in April 2005 to attend the SAARC
Summit and the peace process was termed as “irreversible”.245 However, the peace
process collapsed due to the Mumbai attacks in 2008, while media played its negative
part to sour the ties by publishing several pro-conflict stories.
The following findings show some clear trends about the role of media in relations
between Pakistan and India during the period under study (2000-2010).
5.2.1- Media as Stakeholder
The study shows that media of the two countries takes huge interest in their relations. The
overall coverage says that total 1509 stories were published in 75 days at the rate of 20
pieces a day.
Table 5.28: Total Coverage by Pak-India Newspapers
Pa Sto Origin Byline Source Slant Impact

per ries Is D O Kn Unk O M A P C N S P E S N E
s b lh th ow now S S S P P N N
n n
Pak 784 2 1 3 190 594 4 2 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 2 8
6 8 3 3 2 2 2 9 6 9 3 0 0 4 1
245
“Pakistan, India say peace irreversible,” The Frontier Post, April 19, 2002.
364
2 3 9 6 6 2 4 5 5 4 8 4 7
Indi 725 1 3 2 305 420 3 2 1 1 4 9 1 6 1 1 3 8
a 4 0 7 8 1 3 5 7 7 3 5 8 1 0 6
1 5 9 0 2 3 5 3 6 9 1
Tot 150 4 4 6 495 1014 8 4 2 3 8 2 3 2 3 2 5 1
al 9 0 8 1 1 3 5 7 6 6 3 0 8 2 4 6
3 8 8 6 8 5 9 8 2 0 3 3 8 7
The Pakistan papers published 784 while the Indian papers 725 stories. Their share is
shown in the chart.
Pak-India Coverage Share
India
48%
Pakistan
52%
Chart 5.3: Coverage in Pak-Indian Media
The sheer amount of coverage proves that media is not just an independent watchdog but
also a stakeholder. The experts also accepted that media is a key player as every
movement in the peace process of the Pakistan and India is reported in details. It also
shows that most of the coverage is linked with the events. In normal days, the coverage
slips down as proved by low coverage in the days before the attack at the parliament in
2001 or the Mumbai attack of 2008. Also, the coverage becomes anti-peace during
conflict and pro-peace during peace talks as proved by coverage around the Agra Summit
or the launch of the composite dialogue.
365
5.2.2- Horizontal Outreach
The coverage shows that the issue of Pak-India peace process is not limited to Islamabad
and New Delhi. It has been proved through the dateline of the stories, showing that 403
stories originated from Islamabad, 488 from New Delhi and 618 from other cities. In fact,
more stories came from other places of Pakistan and India than their capitals, as shown in
the chart below.
Dateline Propotion
Misc Islamabad
41% 27%
New Delhi
32%
Chart 5.4: Origin of News Stories
The issue of dateline helps to understand that place of origin of stories. Stories coming
from different places on the same issue give more credible sample of opinions. It also
shows that the issue of Pak-India peace process has horizontal appeal. The dateline of the
coverage shows that people from almost all areas of Pakistan and India take interest in
the relations.
5.2.3- Media and Agenda
The important finding of who sets the agenda for media has been traced through the
bylines. The coverage shows that there were only 495 proper bylined stories as compared
to 1014 non-byliners. The following chart helps to understand.
366
Byline-Non-byline proportion
Byline
33%
Non-byline
67%
Chart 5.5: Percentage of Byline
The lack of bylined stories shows that media is willingly looking towards the government
for its contents. It also proves that either media is not free or not willing to publish stories
other than provided by the officials. It is symbol of agenda-reflecting media, which is less
reliable. It is common issue in the media of Pakistan and India but the Indians are better
as overall they have more bylines as compared to Pakistan.
5.2.4- Dependency Syndrome
The sources of the filed stories shows that 816 stories came from the official channels,
while 438 from mixed sources and another 255 were based on anonymous sources. Thus,
majority 54 per cent came from the official sources. See the chart below:
367
Sourcing
Anonymous
Source
17%
Mixed Source Official Source

29% 54%
Chart 5.6: Sourcing of News Stories
Sourcing of news stories is important as it helps to understand the independence of

media. The greater dependence on the official sources shows that there is lesser freedom
of expression. Agenda reflecting media is totally dependent on officials and agenda
setting media is mostly dependent on private sources, while agenda-building media is
partially dependent on official sources for news.
Experts interviewed for the study said that the Pak-India media mostly relies on official
sources. Ziauddin said that official sources are more often used. The same was echoed by
Rahimullah Yusufzai who said official sources are most common both in print and
electronic. Javed Siddiq said official sources traditionally dominated. Suhasini Haidar
said the “sources are essentially officials” but sometimes other sources are used, while
Shujaat Bukhari said the “sources for journalists are always government based and
generally these sources are faceless.”
Thus, it has been concluded that both the electronic and print media of Pakistan and India
mostly depend on officials. It hinders freedom of reporting. Resultantly, media most of
the time reflect the official agenda.
368
5.2.5- Highlighting Conflict
Another important finding is about the contents related to conflicts dominating the
coverage. The study showed that majority 868 stories highlighted conflicts between the
two countries, 379 focused on peace while 262 were neutral in stance. The following
chart highlights it further.
Slant in Stories
Neutral
17%
Peace Conflict
25% 58%
Chart 5.7: Ratio of Peace, Conflict and Neutral Stories
It helps to gauge the slant of the coverage which for the sake of the study was designed to
judge the stories before the impact was measured. Majority 58 per cent coverage
highlights the conflict between the two countries, as compared to 25 per cent showing the
positive aspect of the ties. It strengthens the hypothesis that media creates hurdles in the
ties between Pakistan and India rather than facilitating and promoting peace through its
coverage. The experts also supported this finding.
5.2.6- Impact on Peace Process
The study shows that there were 571 positive and 938 negative stories. The percentage of
positive stories is 37.83 while that of negative ones is 62.16 percent. The chart below also
shows the same in more graphic form:
369
Impact
Positve
38%
Negative
62%
Chart 5.8: Negative-Positive Impact of Media on Relations
It shows that majority 62 per cent of the coverage was negative and had adverse impact
on the peace between the two countries. It confirms the fundamental argument that the
media plays a negative role in the relations of the two countries, thus supporting the
hypothesis.
The experts interviewed for the research also generally supported it. A specific question
was asked from them about the impact of media on the relations and peace efforts
between the two countries from 2000- 2010.
Ziauddin said the impact is negative while Siddiq said that media tries to give a realistic
picture of relations which are often tense. Hence, media highlight the tension. Yusufzai
said that media impact is often negative. He gave the example of Aman ki Asha initiative
by the Jang group and Times of India, which has not changed the editorial policy of the
two groups. He said they try to promote peace but their policy on nuclear issue, water
problem, Kashmir etc. remains the same. “It shows the media’s dilemma where they are
compelled to tow the official line even while trying to promote peace,” said Yusufzai.
Thapar said media often forces the government to take a tougher and harder stand. This
was most certainly apparent in January 2013 when Pakistan was accused of beheading an
Indian soldier and the Indian media went 'ballistic' ignoring that in the not so-distant past
Indian soldiers had done similar things. Haidar said in terms of impact, the government
370
was a greater influencer than the media, which confirmed the agenda-reflecting mind-set.
Bukhari said the electronic media was more jingoistic and had more negative impact on
the peace process.
To further crystalize the response of the experts on the issue of media impact on ties, they
were asked three close-ending questions. All six experts agreed that the impact of media
on Pak-India peace process is generally negative during the period under study except
during the composite dialogue. They also said that media reinforced the existing biases
between Pakistan and India from 2000 to 2010. Lastly, they said that over all media
coverage was partially constructive and partially destructive for the relations during the
research period.
The responses match with the findings of the selected print media. Most of the time,
media is negative but there are moments when it becomes positive. It can be inferred that
it is highly dependent on the “official truth” and sways according to the policy shift of the
two governments.
5.2.7- Jingoistic Overtones
An important finding was about the impartiality of media in covering the ties of the two
countries. The experts were quite vocal about it. Ziauddin said jingoism is part of
Pakistan media. Though a segment of media was impartial but another part was biased
also. He said the Urdu media is more jingoistic and since electronic media is all in Urdu,
so jingoism is essential element of it. He also said media failed to play the role of an
independent watchdog and “most of the time it played in the hands of the state
authorities.”
Yusufzai commenting on the overall coverage said: “I don’t think it was very objective; it
was mostly partial and occasional impartial.” He also said that media was not
independent while covering ties of the two countries. “I don’t think we were very
independent media, or an independent watchdog. We can’t claim that.” Siddiq said media
coverage was mix of partiality and jingoism. Urdu media was more partial while English
media was more objective, he said.
371
Thapar said the Indian media coverage of Pakistan is often jingoistic and biased. He said
in both countries, there are “small pockets of objectivity and rationality.” Bukhari said
media is not an independent watchdog. “It was not playing in the hands of state
authorities but it was also not playing a positive role either,” he said.
Haidar said media coverage of relations of two countries is “negative” as Indian media is
not independent when it comes to the relations with Pakistan. “Media is driven by certain
bias, certain negative narrative which is fuelled from inside the government” she said,
adding that there were periods when media was positive “when government wants to
send out an unequivocal positive message.”
The experts generally agreed that media was jingoistic and plays a negative role but there
are moments when it becomes positive. The answer is in line with the survey of
newspapers which also shows that media was positive for events like the Agra Summit
and the Composite Dialogue but it was negative during military standoff and Mumbai
attacks.
5.2.8- Media of ‘Official Truth’
The study shows that Pak-India media reflects the official policy of successive
governments and behave as an “official mouthpiece” for the coverage. Whatever media
propagates is not always true or based on accepted canons of right and wrong. The
official statements, which media frequently uses are often a twisted form of national
interests. The running of official versions of events and policies, without exercising
editorial control, has been termed by the researcher as “media following the official
truth”.
The official truth is closer to propaganda but is subtler and more incisive. It offers a
grand narrative of national interests. Media is lured to present it as the only possible
solution to a given problem. In case of Pakistan and India, Kashmir offers a good
example. For the Pakistanis, Kashmir is a jugular vein of the country; for the Indians, it is
an integral part of the Indian Union. The media willingly buys the official truth and
splashes it across the country. The important part is that while presenting the official
truth, media seldom feels playing in the hands of the officials. It considers it a duty to
372
highlight the national interests, without feeling that official truth damages its impartiality
and neutrality.
The study shows that media of Pakistan and India more than often dances to the official
tunes. For example, it dug up the trivial details of the Musharraf’s visit to India for the
Agra Summit to make it interesting and justify the talks. In the same pattern, media is
positive at the launch of the composite dialogue and supports peace, but it takes lead to
sour the ties after the Mumbai attack. It was also jingoistic in the coverage of the military
standoff of 2002. The study shows that on all these occasion, there is a unique unity in
the official version of the events and editorial policy of media.
It leads the researcher to conclude that the Marc Genest concept of agenda-setting,
agenda-building and agenda-reflecting media is only partially applicable to the media of
Pakistan and India. Similarly, the ‘political contest model’ of Gadi Wolfsfeld has limited
application. Also, all other theoretical parameters only partially help to understand the
role of media in context of Pak-India ties. Hence, the model: ‘media of official truth’ has
been introduced.
The model allows deviations to the mainstream media while following the officials,
creating an aura of freedom of expression. It does not use intimidation like the close
societies but builds a narrative which media tends to follow. It inculcates a habit of subtle
self-censorship. The model also operates by building a system of patronization that
focuses on key media persons and media outlets, showcasing them as patriotic and
representatives of the free national media.
373
CONCLUSION
Pakistan-India ties have been critical throughout their history. A review of the relevant
literature shows that the relationship has not been properly analyzed through the
perspective of media. This study has investigated whether and how media factored in the
bilateral efforts to resolve issues and improve relations in the selected period of 2000-
2010. The main objective is to investigate whether the coverage in the mainstream media
has a positive or negative impact on the relations.
The researcher scanned the selected media in both countries through content analysis and
interviews to study the main premise that Pakistan-India media through partisan and
jingoistic coverage of relations create hurdles for peace between the two countries than
facilitating the peace process. Besides, the study has also addressed the following
questions:
1- What is the role of media in determining Pak-India relationship?

2- What is the source of news stories?
3- How the issue of dateline has been treated?
4- How the issue of byline has been treated?
The findings prove that media plays a role in Pakistan-India relations and the officials of
the two countries greatly rely on it to express opinions about each other. The sheer
magnitude of stories proves this point because the selected newspapers from both
countries published 1509 stories in the designated 75 days of coverage, at the average of
over 20 pieces a day.
The important conclusion is related to the impact of media on peace process. The
findings show that 938 stories in the mainstream media presented the negative side of the
relations as compared to relatively small number of 571 stories showing the positive side.
The percentage of negative stories is 62.16 per cent, while that of positive ones is 37.83
per cent. Within the positive category, there are 330 slightly positive, 203 positive and 38
extremely positive, while in the negative category, there are 223 slightly negative, 548
negative and 167 as extremely negative. It shows that the extremely positive stories (38)
374
are far less than extremely negative (167). Thus, highly negative contents dominate in the
media coverage.
The overall empirical data and evidence gleaned through the study prove that there is
widespread negativity in the media about the relations of the two countries, which hardly
helps the cause of peace. It confirms the basic arguments that the media creates hurdles
for peace than facilitating it.
The partisan approach of media has been proved by analyzing the sources of news
material. It has been concluded that media is mostly dependent on the official sources for
stories related to the bilateral ties, as a large number of 816 stories (54 per cent) came
from official sources, while 438 from mixed sources and only 255 came from anonymous
sources.
While showing media dependence on the government for contents, this trend also
confirms the theory of ‘official truth’ dominating the news contents. It means that media
follows the official agenda. The views of experts are also in conformity with this finding.
The consolidated result is that both the electronic and print media in Pakistan and India
mostly depend on the official sources. This trend not only interferes with freedom of
reporting but also imposes on media the official thinking about the nature of bilateral ties.
The twin results - first the reliance on the officials sources for contents and second media
highlighting the negative side of relations - confirm that media is partial and jingoistic. It
shows that the coverage of relations is biased, as it is based on the respective national
policies. The experts also agree that media is jingoistic and plays a negative role.
The research also shows that the reporting is diverse in terms of place of origin of news
stories which is also called as dateline. Total 403 stories originated from Islamabad, 488
from New Delhi and 618 from other cities of two countries. It proves that media gave
proper coverage to stories from different areas of the two countries. Hence, the horizontal
aspect of the coverage is satisfactory.
The study shows that media independence is minimized due to use of un-named writers
or non-bylines as 67 per cent stories were not adequately bylined. There are only 495
375
proper bylines as compared to 1014 inadequate by-liners, proving that media is not
circumspect to the authenticity of the writers and spends less on manpower to collect
news, and relies more on the news agencies or ambiguous channels for contents than
placing reporters in the field.
Another conclusion drawn is that Pakistan media is slightly better than the Indian media
in terms of pro-peace news contents. It has been proved through the survey of
newspapers and interviews of experts. First, Pakistan media published more stories (784)
than the Indian media (725) in the selected 75-day period. Second, there were total 352
positive and 432 negative stories in the Pakistani newspapers as compared to 219 positive
and 506 negative stories in the Indian newspapers. A comparison between the sub-
categories of positive and negative stories shows that Pakistan media is less negative than
Indian media. There were total 352 positive and 432 negative stories in the Pakistani
newspapers but there were total 219 positive and 506 negative stories in the Indian
newspapers.
Within the impact category, Pakistan media has majority 194 stories as slightly positive,
138 positive and 20 as extremely positive. In the negative impact category, its 104 stories
are slightly negative, 247 negative and 81 extremely negative. On the other hand, in the
Indian media, there are 136 slightly positive, 65 positive and 18 extremely positive,
whereas in the negative group, there are 119 slightly negative, 301 negative and 86 as
extremely negative stories. It shows Pakistan media having more positive stories than
negative ones about ties with India.
So, Pakistan fared better in terms of more positive and less negative stories about
bilateral ties than India. But on the other hand, overall media coverage in both countries
was more negative than positive for the ties and consequently, it had an adverse impact
on the relations.
In Pakistan, majority of 269 stories were published during coverage of the Agra Summit.
It was followed by 186 stories for military standoff, 148 for composite dialogue, 106 for
Mumbai attack and 75 for parliament attack. In India, maximum 235 were published
around the Agra Summit, followed by 147 for military standoff, 136 for parliament
376
attack, 122 for Mumbai attack and 85 for composite dialogue. It shows that Pakistan
media was more enthusiastic about peace efforts as evident by the coverage of the
composite dialogue when Pakistan media published 148 stories as compared to India’s
85.
The study also shows that there are moments when media becomes positive but it is
mostly linked to the events. For example, media was positive for events like the Agra
Summit and the Composite Dialogue but the same media was negative during the
military standoff and the Mumbai attack. It is in line with the main observation that
media depends on the government policies and when officials adopt a positive approach
towards each other, reporting in media also becomes positive. It strengthens the
conclusion that media changes its attitude according to the changes in the official policy
towards each other. It is also confirms the ‘official truth theory’ and thus an important
contribution to the body of knowledge about the bilateral relations between Pakistan and
India.
It also shows that bonhomie like the composite dialogue is susceptible to the dominant
narrative, which is often negative. The positive coverage through the years following the
start of the composite peace process completely vanished in the wake of the Mumbai
attack.
Another result of the research shows that media in Pakistan was slightly changing to
become more independent while covering India. Its positive coverage, though still weak,
provide a glimmer of hope. Its major example is maturity shown by Pakistan media after
the Mumbai attack when it deviated from the official version and dug up the location of
Ajmal Kasab in Pakistan. The experts interviewed for the research appreciated this new
role of Pakistani media.
There is also another trend showing that while Pakistan media is maturing, Indian media
is getting more aggressive towards Pakistan as proved by its coverage after the Mumbai
attack. One of the experts, Shujaat Bukhari, specially highlighted this point and
complained that the Indian media is a hurdle to normalize ties after Mumbai attack as it
377
goes on reminding the government about lack of progress about the slow trial of
“suspects” held in Pakistan.
The study also provides a theoretical basis to understand the role of media in the bilateral
peace process. This role has been summed up in the following five points:
1. Media in Pakistan and India is (relatively) free, diverse and vociferous.

2. It takes interest in the bilateral relations including peace moves, visits of
dignitaries, conflicts and other bilateral interactions.
3. Officials from both sides use media on issues of national interests.
4. Media in both countries mostly follow the official narrative of relations.
5. Media in both countries impact the foreign policy issues.
Like the empirical data, the theoretical findings also strengthen the “official truth theory”
that media in Pakistan and India mostly follows the respective official versions of
bilateral relations while reporting on peace processes of Pakistan and India. It is also
supported by the data showing reliance on the official sources for news contents.
One major limitation of the study was lack of access to content of electronic media. It
could not be addressed despite efforts. This is the area the next researchers interested to
study the role of media in relations of Pakistan and India should focus. In the absence of
proper archives, recording materials, hurdles in cross-border travels and lack of access to
media outlets, it is a daunting task but worth making an endeavor.
A major recommendation for the media practitioner is to look beyond the official version
of relations and avoid background interviews with un-named officials to write about the
matters of peace and conflict between Pakistan and India. There is a lot of scope for pro-
peace and neutral stories which reporters can attempt without antagonizing the “powerful
circles” within their countries and without hankering after the official version of
relations.
Another suggestion is related to the kinds of news articles. It has been seen that majority
of stories about the two countries are related to political, strategic and defence matters.
There are new areas of social security, human rights, food security, energy shortages,
378
environmental degradation, melting of glaciers, water issues, arms race, nuclear warfare
and economic issues which should be focus of working journalists interested in peace
between the two countries.
A slight paradigm shift in the editorial polices of the media houses and priorities of field
reporters can change the entire perspective of media coverage of relations and make a
positive impact on the peace process between Pakistan and India.
379
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abel, Elie. “Television in International Conflicts.” In The New Media in National and
International Conflict, edited by Andrew Arno and Wimal Dissanayake. Boulder;
Westview Press, 1984.
Ahmer, Moonis. The Arab-Israeli Peace Process: Lessons for India and Pakistan.
Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Akhtar, Hasan, and Jawed Naqvi. “Pakistan, India pledge to continue talks.” Dawn, July
18, 2001.
Alam, Absar. “Peace needs compromises, says Musharraf.” The Nation, July 21, 2001.
Allen, Tim, and Jean Seaton. The Media of Conflict. London: Zed Book, 1999.
Althiede, David L. "The Impact of Television News Formats on Social Policy." Journal
of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. 1991, 3-21.
Amarnani, Kavita. “Beating the ban on Bollywood.” The Guardian, February 4, 2008.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2008/feb/04/beatingthebanonbollywood.
Amin, Shahid M. Pakistan Foreign Policy: An Appraisal. Karachi: Oxford University

Press, 2000.
Aneja, Atul. “Appropriate steps if Pak. keeps its words: Mishra.” The Hindu, June 4,
2002.
Aneja, Atul. “Lashkar responsible for attack, says Jaswant.” The Hindu, December 15,
2001.
“Attackers trained in Pakistan, alleges India.” Dawn, December 2, 2008.
Badhwar, Inderjit, and Tavleen Singh. "Sikh terrorists: The Pakistan hand." India Today,
May 15, 1986. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-involvement-in-sikh-terrorism-
in-punjab-based-on-solid-evidence-india/1/348451.html.
Baruah, Amit. “India-Pakistan peace process ‘irreversible.’” The Hindu, April 19, 2005.
Baruah, Amit. “Pakistan must act against terror groups.” The Hindu, July 13, 2006.
Bhattacharya, Sourish. “Menu laced with Ayurvedic elixirs to set the right mood.”
Hindustan Times, July 14, 2001.
Bhutto, Benazir. “The Agra Summit.” The Nation, July 16, 2001.
380
Bozel III, L Brent. Weapons of Mass Distortion. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005.
Bukhari, Shujaat. Editor Rising Kashmir newspaper, Interview by Researcher, Islamabad,

27 September 2013.
Chandran, D. Suba, and P. R. Chari. Armed conflicts in South Asia. London: Routledge,
2011.
Chari, P. R., Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema and Stephen P. Cohen. Perception, Politics and
Security in South Asia. London: Routledge, 2003.
Chari, P.R., Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema and Stephen P. Cohen. Four Crises and a Peace
Process: American Engagement in South Asia. Washington DC: The Brooking Institute,
2007.
Chaudhuri, Pramit. “Kashmir discussion may be bumped up to political level.” Hindustan

Times, July 15, 2001.
Cheema, Pervaiz Iqbal and Imtiaz H. Bukhari, ed. Conflict resolution and Regional
Cooperation in South Asia, Islamabad: Asia Printers, 2004.
Cheema, Pervaiz Iqbal, Rashid A Khan and Khalid Hussain ed. Pakistan-India Peace
process: The Way Forward, Islamabad: Asia Printer, 2010.
Cohen, B. C. The Press and Foreign Policy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press,
1963.
Cole, Benjamin, ed. Conflict, Terrorism and the Media in Asia. London: Routledge,
2006.
“Dialogue to start next month.” Dawn, January 7, 2004.
Dikshit, Sandeep. “I am for no-first use of nuclear weapons: Zardari.” The Hindu,
November 23, 2008.
Dixit, J.N. India-Pakistan in War and Peace. London: Routledge, 2002.
Durrani, Mahmud Ali. India & Pakistan: The Cost of Conflict and Benefits of peace.
Karachi: OUP, 2001.
“Efforts on to defuse tension: Sattar.” Dawn, January 2, 2002.
“Empathy and fear for fallout in Pakistan.” The Times of India, November 30, 2008.
Entman, Robert M. "Framing Bias: Media in the Distribution of Power." Journal of

Communication. 2007, 163-173.
381
Gaikwad, Rahi. “Terrorist came from Pakistan, Mumbai police chief.” The Hindu,
December 3, 2003.
Genest, Marc A. Negotiating in the Public Eye. Stanford: Stanford University Press,
1995.
Gergen, David R. “Diplomacy in a television age: The dangers of Teledemocracy”, in

The Media and foreign policy, ed. Simon Serfaty. London: MacMillan, 1990.
Geyelin, Phillip L. “The strategic defence initiative: The president’s Story.” In The Media
and Foreign policy, edited by Simon Serfaty. London: MacMillan, 1990.
Ghosh, Samarjit. “Mumbai Terror Attacks: An Analysis, Institute of Peace and Conflict
Studies.” http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR66-Samarjit-Final.
Haidar, Suhasini. Foreign Affairs Editor CNN-IBN television, Interview by Researcher,

Islamabad, 25 September 2013.
Hallin, Daniel C. "The Media, the War in Vietnam, and Political Support: A Critique of
the Thesis of an Oppositional Media." The Journal of Politics, 1984, 2-24.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2130432.
Haq, Ihtasham ul. “Summit to focus on Kashmir Dispute.” Dawn, July 11, 2001.
Hasan, Khalid. “End to infiltration no guarantee India won’t attack: CSIS.” Daily Times,
June 2, 2002.
Herman, Edward, and Noam Chomsky. Manufacturing Consent. New York: Pantheon,
1988.
Hess, Stephen, and Marvin Kalb, ed. The Media and War on Terrorism. Karachi: Oxford
University Press, 2004.
“History of Mass Media.” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-mass-media.html.
http://itv.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:karan-
thapar&catid=1:about-us&Itemid=10.
“India debunks Pakistan’s offer for joint probe.” The Times of India, December 16, 2001.
“India faced an embarrassing defeat during Indo-Pak standoff 2000-2001: The Times of
India reveals.” Viewed at http;//www.induspress.com//p=786.
“India hints at troops’ reduction in Valley.” Dawn, April 15, 2005.
“India may cross LoC, says Vajpayee.” The News, December 16, 2001.
382
“India probe blames Pakistan for attack.” The News, December 17, 2001.
“India sees Lashkar behind blasts.” Dawn, July 13, 2006.
“India serves demarche on Pakistan.” The Hindu, December 2, 2008.
“India summons Pak envoy, issues protest note.” The Times of India, December 1, 2008.
“Indian official says attack plan ready: Defence ministry plays down report.” Dawn, June
4, 2002.
Iyengar, Shanto. "News Coverage of the Gulf Crisis and Public Opinion."
Communication Research. 1993, 365-383.
Jafferlot, Christophe, ed. A History of Pakistan and its Origins. trans. Gillian Beaumont,
London: Anthem press, 2008.
Jaish carried out attack with ISI help.” The Times of India, December 16, 2001.
Jamieson, Kathleen Hall, and Paul Waldman. The Press Effect. New York: OUP, 2003.
Jehadis to announce ceasefire.” The Tribune, June 5, 2002.
Joshi, Manoj. “No quick fix on Kashmir possible.” Hindustan Times, July 8, 2001.
Kalb, Marvin. “Forward.” In The Media and Foreign Policy, edited by Simon Serfaty.
London: MacMillan, 1990.
“Kashmir vote won’t pave way for talks: India.” Dawn, October 5, 2010.
Katyal. K. K. “Change in stance due to pressure.” The Hindu, July 9, 2001.
Khan, Zulfiqar. India-Pakistan Nuclear rivalry: Perceptions, Misperceptions and Mutual

Deterrence. Islamabad: IPRI, 2005
Khan, Zulfiqar. India-Pakistan Nuclear Rivalry: Perceptions, Misperceptions, and

Mutual Deterrence. Islamabad:Asia Printers, 2005.
Khare, Harish Khare. “I have come with a message of peace.” The Hindu, July 17, 2005.
Lang, K., and G. Lang. Politics and Television. Chicago: Quadrangle, 1969.
Louw, Eric. The Media & Political Process. 2nd Edition. London: Sage, 2010.
Malhotra, Jyoti. “Brajesh, Aziz did spadework to bury past.” The Indian Express, January
7, 2004.
383
Malhotra, Jyoti. “Musharraf skips K-course at banquet, but serves bilateral talk dish.” The
Indian Express, January 5, 2004.
Malhotra, Jyoti. “Silence, men at work on peace track.” The Indian Express, January 6,
2004.
Manmohan rules out redrawing of Indian map.” The Frontier Post, April 18, 2005.
McCombs, Maxwell E., and Donald L. Shaw. "The agenda-setting function of mass
media." Public opinion quarterly. 1972, 176-187.
Mehmud, Ershad. “Pak-India Peace Process: An Appraisal.” Policy Perspective.

Islamabad: Institute of Policy Studies, 2007.
Miller, Tobby. “US Journalism: Servant of the Nation, Scourge of the Truth.” In Conflict,
Terrorism and The Media in Asia, edited by Benjamin Cole. London: Routledge, 2006.
Miraj, Naveed. “Aggressor to regret: Musharraf.” The Frontier Post, January 3, 2002.
Mohan, C. Raja. “Agra talks fail.” The Hindu, July 17, 2001.
Mohan, C. Raja. “India hints at giving more time to Pakistan.” The Hindu, January 4,
2002.
Mohan, C. Raja. “Indo-Pak. Talk: an air of pessimism.” The Hindu, July 8, 2001.
Mohan, C. Raja. “Talks to focus on framework.” The Hindu, July 11, 2001.
Mowlana, Hamid. “The Media and Foreign Policy: A Framework of Analysis.” In News
Media and Foreign Relations: A Multifaceted Perspective, edited by A Malek. Norwood,
NJ: Ablex, 1998.
“Mumbai death toll rises to 125; India blames neighbours.” The News, November 28,
2008.
“Musharraf, Singh vow to move on peace path.” The Frontier Post, April 17, 2005.
“Musharraf, Vajpayee hold historic meeting.” Dawn, January 6, 2004
Namboodiri, Udayan. “Pakistan dumps visa rules for Musharraf’s press conference.”
Hindustan Times, July 20, 2001.
Naqvi, Jawed. “Musharraf meets APHC leaders, pledges support.” Dawn, July 15, 2001.
Naqvi, Jawed. “Vajpayee slams party hawks for war frenzy.” Dawn, December 20, 2001.
“New Delhi hopes to avert showdown.” The Frontier Post, January 3, 2002.
384
“Next terror attack on US will originate in Pakistan: Report,” The Times of India,
December 3, 2008.
Niazi, Zamir. The Press Under Siege. Karachi: Karachi Press Club, 1992.
Nokes, R. Gregory. “Libya: A government story.” In The Media and foreign policy,
edited by Simon Serfaty. London: Macmillan, 1990.
Noorani, A. G. “War Benefits Neither Side.” Frontline, January 05-18, 2002. Viewed at
http://www.flonnet.com/f11901/19010040.htm.
Paddar, Sajad. “The Composite Dialogue Process between India and Pakistan: Structure,
Process and Agency.” Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics,
Heidelberg University, Working Paper No 65, February 2012.
“Pak for Mandela’s meditation.” Hindustan Times, July 13, 2001.
“Pak troops to move to Indian border if tensions escalate.” The News, November 30,
2008.
“Pak. missile test provocation.” The Hindu, October 5, 2002.
“Pakistan condemns blasts, attack,” Daily Times, July 12, 2006.
“Pakistan ready for no first use of nukes: Zardari.” The New, November 23, 2008.
“Pakistan ready for nuclear no first use, Zardari.” Dawn, November 22, 2008
“Pakistan, India now closer to peace.” The Nation, July 13, 2001.
“Pakistan, India say peace irreversible.” The Frontier Post, April 19, 2005.
“Pakistan, India say peace irreversible.” The Frontier Post, April 19, 2002.
“Pakistani scientist briefed Osama on nuke.” The Times of India, December 13, 2001.
Paul, Thazha V. ed. The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry. Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press, 2005.
“PM ready to discuss any issue.” The Tribune, January 1, 2002.
Qaisar, Rana. “Islamabad declines pre-summit mily talks.” The Nation, July 10, 2001.
Qaisar, Rana. “Musharraf optimistic about talks’ continuity.” The Nation, July 19, 2001.
Rajain, Arpit. Nuclear Deterrence in South Asia: China, India and Pakistan. New Delhi:
SAGE Publication Ltd, 2005.
385
Rajghatta, Chidanand. “Mumbai attack: Pak role under scrutiny.” The Times of India,
November 27, 2008.
Rajghatta, Chidanand. “World media blames Pak for terrorism.” The Times of India,
December 20, 2001.
Raju, S., S. K. Jagadeswari and Wimal Dissanayake. "Treating the Indo-Pakistan

Conflict: The Role of Indian Newspapers and Magazines." In News Media in National
and International Conflict. London: Bowker 1984.
Ramachandran, T. R. “Indo-Pak tension looms over SAARC.” The Tribune, January 4,

2002.
Rana, Javed. “Musharraf, Vajpayee for more CBMs.” The Nation, January 6, 2004.
Ranney, Austin. Channels of Power: The Impact of Television in American Politics. New
York: Basic Books, 1983.
Ray, Keith. “Chinese Inventions.” Eye Magazine, Spring 2004. Viewed at

http://www.sacu.org/greatinventions.html.
Raza. Syed Irfan. “Govt accepts India’s plea for ISI help in Mumbai probe.” Dawn,
November 29, 2008.
Reddy, Muralidhar Reddy. “Pak. Accuses India of shelling on LoC.” The Hindu, July 22,
2001.
Reddy, Muralidhar. “‘Kashmir, main cause of tension.’” The Hindu, July 12, 2001.
Robinson, Piers. “The CNN Effect: Can the New Media Drive Foreign Policy?” Review
of International Studies. 1999, 301-309.
Rupesinghe, Kumar. Civil War, Civil Peace. London: Pluto Press, 1998.
Sareen, Sushant. The Jihad Factory: Pakistan’s Islamic Revolution in the Making. New
Delhi: Har-Anand Publications, 2005.
Sattar, Abdul. Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: 1947-2005. Karachi: OUP, 2007.
Schlesinger, Philip, Graham Murdock and Philip Elliot. Television ‘Terrorism. London:
Comedia, 1983.
Schofiled, Victoria. Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War. IB
Tauris, 2000.
Semour-Ure, Colin. The Press, Politics and the Public. London: Methuen, 1968.
386
Serfaty, Simon. “The Media and foreign policy.” In The Media and Foreign Policy,
edited by Simon Serfaty. London: Macmillan, 1990.
Seymour-Ure, Colin. The Political Impact of Mass Media. London: Constable & Co Ltd,
1974.
Shaikh, Shakil. “India to pay price for any misadventure.” The News, December 15,
2001.
Sharma, Pranay. “Peace prayers on al lips.” The Telegraph, April 17, 2005.
Sharma, Pranay. “Play over, result withheld.” The Telegraph, April 18, 2005.
Sharma, Vinod, and Udayab Namboodiri. “Summit comes to dead end.” Hindustan
Times, July 17, 2001.
Sharma, Vinod, and Zia Haq. “There is a bit of India in every Pakistan: Zardari.”
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Nwes-Feed/India/There-is-a-bit-of-India-in-every-
Pakistan-Zardari/Article 1-353488.aspx.
Sharma, Vinod. “For Musharraf dialogue is one-way traffic.” Hindustan Times, July 22,
2001.
Shukla, Vivek. “High Commissioner house hold special memories.” Hindustan Times,
July 11, 2001.
Siddiq, Javed. Resident Editor Nawa-i-Waqt. Interview by Researcher. Islamabad. 7

August 2014
Singh, Jaswant. Conflict and Diplomacy. New Delhi: Rupa & Co, 2008.
Singh, Jaswant. India and Pakistan. New Delhi: Lancers Publishing Pvt Ltd, 1990.
Soroka, Stuart N. "Media, Public Opinion, and Foreign Policy." The International
Journal of Press/Politics. 2003, 27-48.
Stolar, Alex. “To the Brink: Indian Decision-Making and the 2001-2002 Standoff.”
http://www.stimson.org/spotlight/to-the-brink-indian-decision-making-and-the-2001-
2002-standoff/.
Stuart, Allan, and Barbie Zalizer, ed. Reporting War: Journalism in Wartime. Oxen, UK:
Routledge, 2004.
Subrahmanya, K. “Rattled UPA govt suspects LeT link.” Deccan Herald, July 12, 2006.
387
Subramanian, Nirupama. “Composite dialogue: India presses the pause button.” The
Hindu, December 2, 2008.
“Suicide attack on Indian parliament.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/13/newsid_3695000/3695057.s
tm.
“Summit breaks down.” The Nation, July 17, 2001.
Swami, Praveen. “Three Lashkar fidayeen captured.” The Hindu, November 28, 2008.
Symond, Peter. “Attack on Indian parliament heightens danger of Indo-Pakistan war.”

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2001/12/ind-d20.html.
“Talks from February.” The Nation, January 7, 2004.
Taylor, M. Philip. Global Communication, International Affairs and the Mass Media
since 1945. London: Routledge, 1997.
Taylor, Philip. War and the Media: Propaganda and Persuasion in the Gulf War.
Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1992.
Thapar, Karan. Anchorman with CNN-IBN. Interview through email by Researcher. 31

May 2013.
Thapar, Karan. http://itv.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:karan-

thapar&catid=1:about-us&Itemid=10.
“US had warned Pa to bridle ISI in 1992: Report.” The Times of India, December 9,
2001.
Walgrave, Stefaan, Stuart Soroka, and Michiel Nuytemans. "The Mass Media’s Political
Agenda-Setting Power: A Longitudinal Analysis of Media, Parliament, and Government
in Belgium (1993 to 2000)." Comparative Political Studies, 2007. 814-836
Watt, Nicholas. “Pakistan boasted of nuclear strike in India within eight seconds.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/15/pakistan-boasted-nuclear-sstrike-pakistan.
Weaver, David H. "Thoughts on Agenda Setting, Framing, and Priming," Journal of

Communication. 2007, 142–147.
Wolfsfeld, Gadi. Media and Political Conflict. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1997.
Yasin, Asim. “Nation united to defend sovereignty.” The News, December 3, 2008.
388
Yusufzai, Rahimullah. Resident Editor The News. Telephonic Interview by Researcher. 5

August 2014.
Zaller, John, The Nature of Mass Opinion, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Zehra, Nasim. “Role of Media in Conflict Resolution.” In Conflict Resolution and

Regional Cooperation in South Asia, edited by Cheema, Pervaiz Iqbal and Imtiaz H
Bokhari. Islamabad: Asia Printers, 2004.
Ziauddin, M. “Differences force third round.” Dawn, July 16, 2001.
Ziauddin, M. Group Editor The Express Tribune. Interview by Researcher. Islamabad, 24

July 2014.
Ziring, Lawrence. Pakistan: The Enigma of Political Development. Kent: Westview,

1980.
12 killed in attack on Indian parliament.” The News, December 14, 2001.
47,000 died in Kashmir, says Delhi.” Dawn, November 22, 2008.
Newspapers
Daily Times, June 1-5, 2002.
Daily Times, October 1-5, 2002.
Dawn, July 8-22, 2001.
Dawn, December 6-20, 2001.
Dawn, January 1-5, 2002.
Dawn, June 1-5, 2002.
Dawn (Islamabad) 1 Oct 2002- 5 Oct 2002.
Dawn, January 3-7, 2004.
Dawn, April 15-19, 2005.
Dawn, July 9-13, 2006.
Dawn, November 19-December 3, 2008.
Deccan Herald, July 9-13, 2006.
The Frontier Post, January 1-5, 2002.

389
The Frontier Post, April 15-19, 2005.
The Hindu, July 8-22, 2001.
The Hindu (New Delhi) 6 Dec 2001- 20 July 2001.
The Hindu, January 1-5, 2002.
The Hindu (New Delhi) 1 June 2002- 5 June 2002.
The Hindu, October 1-5, 2002.
The Hindu, January 3-7, 2004.
The Hindu, April 15-19, 2005.
The Hindu, July 9-13, 2006.
The Hindu, November 19-December 3, 2008.
Hindustan Times, July 8-22, 2001.
The Nation, July 8-22, 2001.
The Nation, January 3-7, 2004.
The News, December 6-20, 2001.
The News, November 19-December 3, 2008.
The Telegraph, April 15-19, 2005.
The Times of India, December 6-20, 2001.
The Times of India, November 19-December 3, 2008.
The Tribune, January 1-5 2002.
The Tribune, June 1-5 2002.
The Tribune, October 1-5, 2002.
The Indian Express, January 3-7, 2004.

390
APPENDICES
Appendix 1
Questionnaire for Pakistan Journalists
Specific Questions
1- What are your views on Musharraf's famous/infamous breakfast meeting with the
Indian media during the Agra Summit? Do you consider its coverage as a reason for th
failure of the Summit?
2- Did Pakistan media coverage contribute, in some way, to the failure of th Summit?
3- What are your views about coverage of Indian parliament attack in Pakistan media?
Do you think the coverage was fair? Did media played in the official hands to respond to
Indian allegations about involvement of Pakistn-based groups?
4- How do you comment on media coverage of 2002 military standoff? Whether media
was neutral or jingoistic and pro-conflict?
5- How was the launching of the composite dialogue in 2004 treated by Pakistan media?
6- How do you comment on Pakistan media coverage of various official interactions/talks
under composite dialogue process from 2004 to 2008? Did mainstream media support the
peace process?
7- How do you see the coverage of the Mumbai attacks in Pakistan media?
8- Did media play any role in the suspension of peace dialogue after the Mumbai
tragedy?
General Questions
1- Whether media coverage of above five incidents in Pakistan was mostly impartial or
biased and jingoistic?
2- Do you think media during these events played role of an independent watchdog, or it
played in the hand of state authorities?
3- How did media (through its stories) impact the relations and peace efforts between the
two countries from 2001- 2010?
Multiple-choice Questions
(Choose any one option. If you do not agree with given options, then please formulate
the response in your words.)
Q-1: How you would categorize role/impact of Pakistan media in/on relations of two
countries from 2001 to 2010.
391
1) Positive, 2) negative, 3) extremely positive, 4) extremely negative, 5) somewhat

positive, or 6) somewhat negative.
Q-2: Tick any one:
1) Media reinforced existing biases between Pakistan and India from 2001 to 2010.
2) Media broke barriers of differences and opened news avenues for ties from 2001
to 2010.
3) Media remained neutral and only gave factual coverage from 2001 to 2010.
Q-3: Tick any one:
1) Overall media coverage from 2001 to 200 was constructive for ties
2) Overall media coverage was destructive for relations
3) Partially constructive and partially destructive.
India media-related Question

1- How do you comment on coverage of the Indian media of the above five events
and its impact (whether positive or negative) on relations of the two countries?
392
Appendix 2
Questionnaire for Indian Journalists
Specific Questions
1- What are your views on Musharraf's famous/infamous breakfast meeting with Indian
media during the Agra Summit?
2- Did Indian media contribute, in some way, to the failure of summit?
3- Did Indian media or government first blam Pakistan or Pakistan-based groups for
parliament attack?
4- How did media coverage of parliament attack influence the Indian government
decision to mobilize army?
5- How do you comment on media coverage of 2002 standoff?
6- How was the launching of the composite dialogue in 2004 treated by the Indian
media?
7- How do you comment on the Indian media coverage of various official
interactions/talks under the composite dialogue process from 2004 to 2008? Did the
mainstream media support the peace process?
8- How do you see the coverage of Mumbai attacks by th Indian media?
9- How did media treat/mention/present Pakistan after during/following the attacks?
10- Did media play any role in suspension of peace dialogue after the Mumbai tragedy?
General Questions
1- What was the source of the most of news stories covered by media on/during/around
these events? (I am trying to see if officials were trying to feed media or journalists doing
independent work. So please if possible mention approximately if they were anonymous
sources, official sources, press release, press conference etc.).
2- Whether media coverage was mostly impartial or biased and jingoistic?
3- Do you think media during these events played role of an independent watchdog, or it
played in the hand of state authorities?
4- How did media (through its stories/editorials/analysis) impact the relations and peace
efforts between the two countries?
5- Briefly, how you would categorise role/impact of Indian media in/on relations of the
two countries from 2001 to 2010. (Choose any one option. If you do not agree with given
options, then please formulate the response in your words.)
A: 1) positive, 2) negative, 3) more positive, 4) more negative
393
B: 1) Media reinforced existing biases, or 2) Media broke barriers of differences and

opened news avenues for ties, or 3) Media remained neutral and only gave factual
coverage.
C: 1) Overall media coverage was constructive for ties, or 2) Overall media coverage was
destructive for relations, or 3) partially constructive and partially destructive.
Pakistan media related question

2- How do you comment on coverage of the Pakistani media of the above five events
and its impact - whether positive or negative - on relations of two countries?

Thesis by Sajjad

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Thesis by Sajjad

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ROLE OF MEDIA IN PAKISTAN-INDIA

PEACE PROCESS: 2000-2010

Muhammad Sajjad (Sajjad Malik)

Reg. No. NDU-PCS/PhD/S-11/012

Prof. Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

Department of Peace and Conflict Studies

Faculty of Contemporary Studies

National Defence University

Date: ____________ Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

Date: __________________ Muhammad Sajjad

I am hugely indebted to my supervisor Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema. He is a wonderful

IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency

OUP: Oxford University Press

LIST OF TABLES xiii

LIST OF FIGURES xxi

1.1- Media Evolution 20

1.2- Characteristics of Modern Media 23

1.3- Media and Agenda 29

1.4- Media and Foreign Policy 32

1.5- Theoretical Framework for Research 38

2: Pakistan-India Relations: An Appraisal 41

2.1- From Independence to Dismemberment: 1947-1971 42

2.2- From Simla to Kargil: 1972-1999 45

2.3- Post-Kargil Decade: 2000-2010 50

2.4- Overview of Peace Efforts 50

2.5- Agra Summit: July 15-16, 2001 52

2.6- Attack on Indian Parliament: December 13, 2001 54

2.7- Military Standoff: 2002 55

2.8- Composite Dialogue: 2004-2008 58

2.9- Mumbai Terror Attack: November 26, 2008 60

3- Pakistan Media: An Evaluation 62

3.1- Print Media and Agra Summit 63

3.1.2- The Nation 80

3.2- Electronic Media and Agra Summit 97

3.3- Print Media and Parliament Attack 101

3.3.1- Dawn 101

3.3.2- The News 107

3.4- Electronic Media and Parliament Attack 114

3.5- Print Media and Military Standoff 116

3.5.1- Dawn 117

3.5.2- The Frontier Post 132

3.5.3- Daily Times 138

3.6- Electronic Media and Military Standoff 145

3.7- Print Media and Composite Dialogue 147

3.7.1- Dawn 147

3.7.2- The Nation 161

3.7.3- The Frontier Post 166

3.7.4- Daily Times 169

3.8- Electronic Media and Composite Dialogue 171

3.9- Print Media and Mumbai Attack 172

3.9.1- Dawn 172

3.9.2- The News 181

3.10- Electronic Media and Mumbai Attack 192

4- Indian Media: An Assessment 194

4.1- Print Media and Agra Summit 195

4.1.1- The Hindu 195

4.1.2- Hindustan Times 216

4.2- Electronic Media and Agra Summit 228

4.3- Print Media and Parliament Attack 232

4.3.1- The Hindu 232

4.3.2- The Times of India 241

4.4- Electronic Media and Parliament Attack 254

4.5- Print Media and Military Standoff 256

4.5.1- The Hindu 256