Sindh Sindhi: سنڌ, the second largest province in Pakistan, is a province of many distinctions. It is the most urbanized province with 43% of people living in urban areas, and is the province with the highest literacy rate.
Contents |
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan; besides this, there are many languages spoken all over the country. Sindhi, one of these languages, covers a large portion of the population.A large number of people are found speaking many other languages such as Saraiki, Baluchi, Urdu, Marwari, Memoni, Gujarati, etc. in Sindh, but the vast majority has Sindhi as its first language.
Areas including the interior of Sindh are basically the rural areas of Pakistan. The large number of publications of Sindhi-language newspapers portrays the status of the people reading them. They are literate and interested in being well informed about the facts, crises or incidences happening in the city, country or in the world. (Hafiz Mushtaq Memon (PPI correspondent) Abdul Latif Zargar (PPI correspondent)
Sindhi language has been used for communication for a long time. Sindhi printing began in 1848 and the first printed Sindhi book was published in 1858. Since then, the Sindhi printing has started and is still being printed. Although 1836 is the earliest recorded date of printing, some facts show that it existed before then as well.
(Sahafti Safar by Dr. Dad Khadim Barohi in 2004 by District Union of Journalism Press Club Jacobabad)
Like every other language, Sindhi has also been improved upon, so as people speaking this language can get everything they want in their own language. There are many people who speak and understand only the Sindhi language so it became essential to produce Sindhi-language media.
Sindhi language has always been used for different purposes in different ages of dictatorship, if not wrong then the alphabets of Sindhi language had not been identified before 1200 AC, although it developed after First World War when the British tried to show their dominance while they were in Sindh which was once considered to be economically useful, British people had developed a syntex to understand the local language easily, the source of alphabets were Persian language of Iran (That times Faras) and Arabic syntex.
Sindhi-language newspapers have a long and glorious tradition. As in other parts of the subcontinent, in Sindh also, the pioneers of journalism were the Persian-language newspapers. The first Persian-language newspaper was brought in the region in 1855 by Shamsul Ulema Mirza Mukhlis Ali. In 1860 Mirza Mukhlis Ali brought out another newspaper, Matlah Khurshid, published from Sukkur, the paper was bilingual. While one column was in Persian, the other column carried its Sindhi translation. Thus, this can be said to be the first Sindhi newspaper in the subcontinent. The paper proved to be immensely popular and continued publication for a period of 50 years.
The first paper exclusively in the Sindhi language was Mueen ul Islam which was brought out in 1880. This was followed by various other papers such as Sind Sudhar, Muawan Majma, Saraswati, Aftab Sind, Kher Khoa, Musafir and Al Haq. These papers were greatly instrumental in raising the consciousness of the Sindhi Muslims, making them conscious of their identity, and making them aware of the need for modern knowledge, and thus had a marked influence on the freedom struggle of the Muslims.
The second period of Sindhi journalism which began with Al Hilal in 1901 was the golden age of the Sindhi press which saw the rise of several great newspapers. The first Sindhi daily Sind Wasi came out in 1908 and the second Hind Wasi in 1917. During this period a number of important papers were brought out which included Al Kashif, Al Ameen, Tauheed, Sitara-e-Sind and Subah Sind. This period culminated with publication of Al Waheed, the greatest Sindhi newspaper to date which was not only a newspaper but a movement and played a leading role in the establishment of Pakistan. Sheikh Abdul, Majid Sindhi, Maulana deen Muhammad Wafai, Prof. Din Mohammad Alig, Pir Ali Mohammad Rashidi and Kazi Abdur Rehman were some of the stalwarts of journalism at the time who with their pens raised the consciousness of the people and made them aware of their rights. Hilal-e-Pakistan began publication in 1946 at Hyderabad, mobilized people against British and in favor of Pakistan.
After the establishment of Pakistan there was a crisis in the Sindhi press as several of the leading writers and journalists migrated to India causing the closure of a number of newspapers and magazines. However the gap was soon filled and several new papers came into existence, including Naeen Sind, Mehran, Azad, Nawai Sind.Sindhi press had to face continual crises and became the victim of repression,due to the various dictatorial regimes continuously restricting freedom of speech, but it continued its brave tradition of fighting for the cause of downtrodden and did not give up in spite of the forced closure of several leading newspapers including Al Waheed, Nawai Sind, Naeen Sind and Karwan. (Article “the Sindhi Press in Pakistan” by Shahida Mirza)
Since then, the Sindhi press continued its journey sometimes coming up and sometimes going very down but it managed its readership very effectively. Then in 1972, the Governor of Sindh, Mumtaz Bhutto passed a bill confirming Sindhi as the official language of Sindh which brought out aggression and resulted in “Lingual Fights”.Urdu-speakers were angry because Urdu was expected to lose its importance after the bill and Sindhi nationalists got angry on migrants’ anger.It was then decided that Urdu and Sindhi were both going to serve as official languages of the province.
In July 1976 Makhdoom Muhammad Rafique Hashmi launched Sindhi daily Nijat from Sukkur. Hashmi has developed readership that really belonged the different categories of society. Nijat spoke the truth related public problems that hinders the Army govt of that time. so govt bend the public voice (Nijat)and sealled the newspaper. After 11 years Nijat continue its journey of truth.
A new department in University of Sindh “Sindhology” was formed by order of the Government of Pakistan.It not only started educating students in Sindhi but it also provided employment to people specializing in Sindhi. And thus, the journey for promoting Sindhi language was initiated with a new spirit. This whole situation also led to a great increment in the numbers of the readers of Sindhi papers and circulation of the paper was increased to a great extent.
Then the period of Zia-ul-Haq is of great importance, it was the period of complete dictatorship, in this period Sindhi Press presents sacrifices and in return got more popularity among its readers. In 1984, as a result of MRD movement of 1983, journalism started changing more rapidly. Censorship was set on media, even when the papers were printed, blank columns were found as a protest against censorship. Protests were held and many journalists were arrested including a large number of Sindhi journalists. This devotion made people’s belief stronger than before on the press which was considered a very good sign for promotion of not only Sindhi press but the whole press.
News Era of Sindhi newspapers
With introduction of computer in composing, Sindhi press got a boost. First computerised newspaper was launched by Left-oriented group of activists and its founder Editor was Sohail Sangi. This refelected the aspirations of resistance shown by people of Sindh during MRD movement and this phase of Sindhi press is called resistance journalism. Sohail Sangi, Faqir Mohammed Lashari, Anwar Pirzado, Badar Abro are called pioneers of resistance journalism, but this started with Awami Awaz founded by Sohail Sangi. Then came the era of mushroom growth of newspapers which led to a number of publications on the desk and since then many new newspapers have started in which some are of really good standards. (Nasir Aijaz, Article “the Sindhi Press in Pakistan” by Shahida Mirza, Hafiz Mushtaq Memon (PPI correspondent), Abdul Latif Zargar (PPI correspondent))
Daily Hilal-e-Pakistan, a Sindhi-language newspaper, is one of the oldest dailies in Sindhi language. It started publication during Pakistan movement and continued after Pakistan came into being. When Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, formed his party Pakistan Peoples Party, in late sixties, he bought the Hilal-e-Pakistan newspaper, which used to publish from Hyderabad at that time. In 1972, Bhutto decided to shift the paper to Karachi and switch over to modern methods of printing. A renowned writer Sirajul Haq Memon was appointed the Editor who took the paper to hights. The Daily Hilal-e-Pakistan, under the editorsjhip of Siraj, revolutionized Sindhi journalism.
Siraj resigned from editorship when the Martial Law regime of Gen. Zia took over the paper in late 1977, after which Hashim Memon, a shift in-charge of the same paper was appointed the editor. This old man tried to impose self-sensorship and ordered not to publish news reports about the anti-martial law demos and rallies. One day, News Editor Aslam Azad and his deputy Nasir Aijaz locked the editor in his room and published all the anti-martial reports.
A senior journalist Abdul Rahim Shaikh later replaced Hashim Memon. Shaikh was a brave journalist of pre-Pakistan era. He published the paper with black border when Bhutto was hanged (assassinated) in 1979. The Hilal-e-Pakistan was the only newspaper of country that was published with black border to mourn death of Bhutto.
At that time, a Punjabi settler Sindh, namely Sardar Qureshi, who somehow had managed to get job in Hilal-e-Pakistan during Siraj Memon, conspired and using pressure of trade union, exerted pressure on Shaikh abdul Rahim, who became seriously ill and later died. After his death, Punjabi man, who held the office of secretary of Hilal-e-Pakistan Workers' Union, bartered with management giving it in writing the list of over 30 employees to sack them and in return became the editor of the paper. It was first ever instance in the history of trade unions in Pakistan that a workers' union had recommended retrenchment. Soon after retrenchment, Nasir Aijaz, then Staff Reporter, and unit chief of Karachi Union of Journalists, raised voice against sacking the employees. G. N. Mughal, another staff reporter and trade unionist, joined the protest and as a result, both were fired issuing them termination letter that 'the post of reporter has been abolished and your services are no more required.' Again, another instance that the post of reporter was abolished from a newspaper. Punjabi editor later stopped the services of APP and PPI news agencies and used to bring out the paper by translating old news reports published in other newspapers. This way he destroyed an important and biggest newspaper of Sindhi language, but after eight months he was thrown out by the employees.
During the period of Late Shaikh Abdul Rahim, Nasir Aijaz introduced Fakir Muhammad Lashari (F. M. Lashari), a school teacher at that time, to journalism. Nasir Aijaz imparted training to Lashari and got him appointed as sub editor but unfortunately, Lashari lost his job when Punjabi editor got over 30 employees sacked. Lashari, later joined hands with Punjabi editor secretary, and opposed the reinstatement of Nasir Aijaz, G. N. Mughal and other employees.
After removal of Punjabi editor, Nasir Brohi of daily Dawn was appointed editor of daily Hilal-e-Pakistan, who reinstated Nasir Aijaz and again Nasir Aijaz got Lashari appointed but he once again conspired to get seniority over other senior journalists, using the Workers' Union, being its secretary. Lashari earned bad name for his corruption in journalism.
Editor Nasir Brohi was replaced by Shaikh Abdul Halim, a retired Director Information of Sindh government, but Lashari conspired to get him removed through trade union pressure. At last, Iqbal Dal, a senior sub editor, was appointed editor who was later replaced by Dastagir Bhatti in 1989 and again he was removed and a renowned writer and poet Shamshir Hyderi was appointed editor.
During PPP government of Benazir Bhutto, a party worker Alam shah, with no journalistic background was made the editor. On dismissal of PPP government, Abdul Rehman Memon was appointed to run the paper and later Madad Ali Sindhi was appointed editor, during which again a large number of employees were fired including Nasir Aijaz, who had protested the move, in 1991. Nasir Aijaz had earlier resigned when Alam Shah had forced him in 1990 to write articles in his name.
The newspaper was destroyed when Ali Ahmed Brohi, the Deputy Administrator of Shaikh Sultan Trust, decided to separate the newspaper from the Trust and hand it over to remaining workers. The workers could not revive the paper and run it just as source of livelihood having no circulation. Iqbal Dal was again made the editor and later Dastagir Bhatti held the office for some time but with no improvement. During this period, a number of employees left the paper dishearted and later the paper was sold to Sheerazi Syeds of Thatta who are still running it like a dummy paper.
Newspapers cover a major part of print media and thus have been affected by all the incidents happening in the past. Besides other reasons Sindhi newspapers developed as a result of Sindhi nationalism specifically. A very long list of the names of the newspapers is found, which reflects the interest of the readers.
Sindhi press has a bright history. In the initial times it used to be the same as other language newspapers but now as the time has changed, the demands have been changed, policies have also been changed. (Mussavir Shahid (network coordinator of PPF))
Sindhi newspapers are mostly read in the interior region of the province, thus it focuses on the regional and national news rather than international news. Another characteristic of Sindhi press is that it prints more news about crimes and accidents happening all around. Other than leading newspapers, sports, fashion, education are given less importance. Papers like Daily Sindh Hyd, Daily Nijat, Awami Awaz, Ibrat, Kawish, Tameer-e-Sindh and Hilal-e-Pakistan covers all regional, national and international news providing an effective source of information to their readers. Ibrat is owned by Qazi group and is actually owned by a member of Pakistan People’s Party. This might be the reason of its bias nature towards their party. It is circulated among literate people whereas Kawish is considered an awami paper that is why is more popular. (Survey, Hafiz Mushtaq Memon (PPI correspondent) and Abdul Latif Zargar (PPI correspondent)
Other than Kawish, Tameer-e-Sindh, Ibrat and some other names, there are so many newspapers published in this language. Nai Zindagi, Parish, Udhar, Mehran, Gulful, Halar are some of the names of the newspapers of this language. Mir Pur Khas, Nawab Shah, Sanghar, Shehzad Pur, Khair Pur, Jaccobabad etc. are some cities where Sindhi language magazines are demanded. Karar, Subh, Alaq, Sham, Aftab, Barsat are some of the names of the newspapers published from the rural cities of Pakistan.
Sindhi magazines have also been very popular medium among their readers. Not too many magazines are found in this language. All sorts of magazines including general interest, educational, fashion are found in this language. Children are also entertained through the special edition published for them.
Aarsee
After separation from Awami Awaz, renowned journalist Sohail Sangi launched Weekly Aarsee (The Mirror) Sindhi magazine from Karachi. It was first news magazine in Sindhi. It became popular so much so English magazine Newsline carried a story on this new experience in Sindhi journalism. The team included Ajiz Jamali, Zahid Mirani, Rahim Bux Burq and Riaz Sohail. Due to bold stand and financial constraints its publication was closed down.
AFFAIR is the largest circulating Sindhi news magazine, Mr. Dr.Ali Ahmed Rind, a known intellectual, political activist, writer and journalist of Sindhi and English press, is editor to this largest circulating Sindhi news magazine. He was also working with LA Times and The News. Mr Hamsafar Gadehi, a veteran journalist of Karachi and a writer, is Deputy Editor to this fortnightly Sindhi news Magazine. As well as, Mr Hussain Mansoor, a known researcher, related to global researching organization, Global Development Network as researcher and one of the most influential investigative reporter of Sindh as well as Pakistan, was also Assistant editor to this news magazine. Many Sindhi journalists acknowledge that AFFAIR is the one of most circulating Sindhi magazine in Sindh. Mr. Fayaz Abbasi is its Marketing Manager, Mr Hameed Sabzoi is Production Manager, former Writer Activist Mujeeb Machhi is Circulation Manager of this largest circulating Sindhi news magazine. Mr. Noor-u-Din Sarki, a well known legislator, is legal adviser to this magazine. It is also claimed by the owners of AFFAIR that it is just like Time magazine in Sindhi Press.
Ibrat magazine, published by the Qazi group, is of great importance as it can be called the Akhbar-e-jahan of Sindhi language. It comprises many segments from politics to entertainment. Poetry, fashion, interviews of the celebrities, tourist guide, horoscopes,long term stories, and religious guidance is found in it. It is a complete family magazine. Another magazine named Sindh Review published from Karachi is also working remarkably. It is a monthly magazine which tries to cover the current issues of the world mainly. It is also providing information about international media (movies, dramas, singers, etc.). Interviews of media celebrities are also found in this magazine. Three to four pages are set for the readers’ comments which show the involvement of its readers.
Badar Abro also tried to revive Rooh Rehan magazine, but this experiment was not successful. In sixties Rooh Rehan has been a popular literary magazine, which was later closed down. Many other magazines are being published approximately from every city of Sindh. Monthly peoples review also is sindhi magazine published from karachi (Editor is Javed Mustafa Kandhro). Khushbo is one of those magazines which is being published from Hyderabad. (Irfan Abbasi (editor of sindh review) and survey) Kawisha largest circulated sindhi news paper also start publishing a magazine, it gives new dimension to sindh print media.now it can be view able on internet.[1] Daulat Ram Mehtani published monthly 'Sojhro' which was a modernist magazine featruing a wide variety of articles.
The progressive situation of the Sindhi press represents the popularity of it among people. As, preferring regional or national news is included in polices of Sindhi press, this leads to an enormous change in the number of the readers. News that are given less importance or sometimes even neglected is found in these papers. People living in interior of the Sindh province mainly look forward to these newspapers or magazines.Simdhi speakers living in urban areas also prefers Sindhi paper for two reasons that are language and regional news. Because of the second reason, people, who actually are not Sindhi but can understand it, also prefer Sindhi papers. The readers of the Sindhi papers are widely spread all over the province and really appreciate them. It is their appreciation which is leading Sindhi media towards great success. (Survey) PARKH,a colourful monthly magazine in Sindhi is printed in Karachi. It is composed on computerized word processing system, regarding the subject. The PARKH contains investigative report on socio-political and economic issues, news. Interviews of prominent figures, creative and literature, fashion, showbiz, family issues. Interior decoration, education, features on science, health, environmental and cultural problems, simply it is a magazine for every member of family. The readership of the PARKH is spread all over Sindh in rural areas and urban centers right from Karachi to Kashmor.
Sindhi electronic media does not have a long history; it has its starting in the 1970s. Initially 25 minutes were set for telecasting regional program in regional language i.e. Sindhi-language program in Sindh, Punjabi-language program in Punjab and so on. The programs were telecasted on Pakistan Television in early evening time. A very long time passed with the same situation then there came another channel named PTV national where only regional programs were telecasted and then time came when the monopoly of PTV ended and the private channels came into existence.
KTN is considered as the first private channel of Sindhi language. After this SindhTV,Dharti tv, Mehran tv, KTN news Sindhtv news, Awaztv and Kashish have also chased the way., Sajjad Suhag (marketing manager )razaq seroi (news director of Sindh tv ).
Kawish Television Network KTN (Kawish Team Network) started in September 2002 by Ali Qazi. It is the first private channel of this language. It is the one who broke the monopoly of PTV and received great success among its viewers. SindhTV started its journey two years after KTN that is, in October 2004 by Dr. Karim Rajpar and Ajeet kumar. Another channel named Kashish was started as a part of KTN network. It is basically a music channel which telecasts music videos round the clock. The existence of Kashish has made the investors think to work on more specified fields in this language as news channels, or some related to sports etc. A very distinctive quality of these channels is that the private productions are not really working for the programs in Sindhi language, thus self production is preferred which is giving the media a better chance to show what exactly they want. (Survey, Sajjad Suhag (marketing manager) Aftab Adil(G.M of SindhTV) Immad Iftikhar (CEO IIK Communications)).Other channels as Mehran tv,Dharti channel are also very popular.
As soon as the specific channels have started, a variety of programs are able to be telecasted in this language. They possess a complete range of programs including news, talk shows, religious programs, dramas, songs and many more. Special programs for children are also presented. Mostly dramas, that are shown, are based on the routine life of the people. They usually portray the lives of the Sindhi people especially who are living in the interior. Problems, lifestyles, demands every thing is given importance. On Kawish Television Network (KTN TV) a number of dramas including Zangiron, Dunya dardun gi, Har shakhs kahani aahe, Rang bhomi, Rishtan ji kahani, Fasla, Wanodni and talk shows like Diyo and Music on demand (musical program) are telecasted. It is a 24-hour channel, in the evening new episodes are presented whereas in the afternoon theere is re telecast. Currently a new show titled Kuch Reh Jeewiyal Pall is being loved by the audiences and is proving to be a hit show. This show is an Indian show dubbed in Sindhi and its popularity proves people's liking towards high-quality Indian made television content. It airs on KTN at 9:20pm from Wednesday to Sunday. This show completed 100 episodes on Friday 4 May 2007.
Zalim, jar, khushbo are the popular dramas of SindhTV. Public demand and your choice are favourite musical programs. Kashish is very valued among its viewers because no other channel can be compared with it. As 90s were the period of booming of Urdu language music, now in the same way many new singers with new and different Sindhi songs are coming up. Babloo bablee, what do you know, your choice, and popat post man are the names of some of the programs telecasted on Kashish. A very outstanding advantage of all these Sindhi channels is that a large number of new talents is coming towards this field and they are getting great opportunities for expressing themselves in a much better way. Some of the Sindhi artists, who have earned the fame in Urdu-language media, are also appreciated on this media.
(Survey,Sajjad Suhag (marketing manager) Aftab Adil (G.M of sindh TV)) Awaz tv is also started.
As the readers are found all over the province, the viewers are also the same people but as the television is not available at every place so the number of viewers is a bit lesser than the number of readers. Not only people who are Sindhi watch these channels, other than Sindhis are found watching it as well. Main reason for the attraction is, it displays the culture with all its goods and bads. Number of commercials is a bit lesser than the other channels which are leading to the increase in the number of the viewers. As any other channel the Sindhi channels contain entertainment for every age group, so people do not have to change the channels for anything they want. (Survey)
Sindhi media has its origin back in 1848. In the initial times the demands were not specifically for the Sindhi language but soon after the establishment of Pakistan the preference of the Sindhi media was reasoned of the language. For electronic media we do not have to go very far it started in the late years of the last century. Both print and electronic made great progress in their ways and became successful to own a large number of audiences through the great spirit and hard work of the people working for this specific media.