Amir Liaqat is superstar of media industry: NYT
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
KARACHI: New York Times (NYT), the prestigious US newspaper, has termed Vice President of Geo Television Network and the renowned broadcaster Dr Amir Liaqat Hussain the undisputed superstar of the media industry of Pakistan, saying the unprecedented popularity of his Ramazan programmes have proven beyond a shadow of doubt he is the one whom people like to see and listen to. Respected journalist Declan Walsh writes in NYT that by conducting marathon transmission spread even over 11 hours at a stretch, Dr Amir Liaqat drove home the intricate religious issues and questions in the easiest possible language. He made the programmes more attractive by offering numerous prizes for the participants.
The research feature has been published by the NYT with 12 photographs. The paper also writes that he has jolted the ranking of TV channels with his novel strategy and has undoubtedly emerged as a sensational broadcaster and a megastar. He amalgamated religion, Islamic culture, theosophical questions, quiz shows and even cooking of delicacies in such an attractive way that everyone was attracted towards the show, he writes.
The paper writes that when he appeared on the screen in his peculiar style amidst thunderous claps, everyone wished to attract the attention of the host to be asked a question which could make him eligible for a prize that included costly mobile phone handsets, plots of land, electronic equipment, motorcycles or other such mementos.
The paper says many questions are raised on the past of Dr Amir Liaqat such as he had termed the video of flogging in Swat an international conspiracy. He has also been in favour of executing Salman Rushdie. Moreover, he has a peculiar point of view about the Ahmadi community. It is said that immediately after his programme in 2008, two Ahmadis had been killed in Sindh within 48 hours. Some of his critics think it was the fallout of this programme, yet in view of his reconciliatory attitude and services rendered for promoting religious harmony, one does not feel like believing that he would have been involved in any activity propagating hatred.
Keeping all these things aside, his openhearted apology from the viewers earned him accolades, and brought him great respect and honour and now he is coming up as promoter of progressive values.
To question by NYT correspondent during the Pehchan Ramazan programme, Amir Liaqat said: Islam is the religion of love, peace and harmony and there is no provision of violence in it and patience is the sheet anchor of the religion.
NYT gave a background of Amir Liaqat that he was part of Geo in 2002 at the time of its launching. After that he entered politics and reached parliament from Karachi. During that period he started Aalim On Line which played a positive role in cultivating friendship and love between Sunnis and Shias and brought them closer. This programme received unprecedented popularity. This motivated Gen Pervez Musharraf to make him minister for religious affairs in his cabinet. However, he resigned after two years.
The paper attributes the immense popularity of Amir Liaqat to his pleasant demeanour, his captivating smile and his persuasive style. He never claimed to be a religious scholar but he answered innumerable questions and unravelled many complex questions. His 12-year journey in media has made him a repository of religious information. He has some critics too but his lovers are very huge in number. People remember him as a warm-hearted man full of sympathy for the common man.
Geo Network Chief Executive Mir Ibrahim Rahman, who is a Harvard University graduate, says Pakistan needs personalities like Amir Liaqat Hussain, who could check fundamentalism and conservatism so that a positive change could be brought in the society. The newspaper writes that despite some questions are raised about Amir Liaqat Hussain, no question could be raised about his value in the commercial world.
The Herald Tribune published the same story and on its front page a picture of Geo Networks van carrying picture of Amir Liaqat Hussain and has written in the caption that Amir Liaqat Hussain is popular television preacher of Pakistan whose picture is painted on the van of the Geo and because of his popularity, it is not possible for people to believe in the allegations that he promotes hatred.
The NYT further writes that rating of the Geo Television broke all records when Amir Liaqat Hussain led supplication in Shab-e-Pehchan on the night between August 13 and 14 and according to an estimate, 30,000 people participated in it, which is the largest number of audience in a studio during any live transmission in the history of Pakistan.
The newspaper writes that on the conclusion of the transmission, putting the chicken, cooked with his own hand and having unmatched taste, in the plate of this correspondent, he said: This is not only a religious transmission, rather people forget their agonies for some time after coming here and we distribute happiness to them.