India, Pak must stop media war on Mumbai attack: Pak editorial

Islamabad, Dec.14 (ANI): An editorial in a Pakistani paper has said that both Pakistan and India are currently engaged in a media war that if not stopped, will act as a major obstacle to arriving at any solution to the crisis emanating out of the November 26-29 terror attack in Mumbai.

Calling on Pakistani media to act responsibly and objectively on the incident and its aftermath, the Daily Times editorial does not hesitate in saying that Indian media has been far from responsible on the reportage front.

"The issue (Mumbai attacks) does not just relate to facts, but also to perceptions. We may deny it, but will do so only at the peril of further isolating ourselves. The government in Islamabad has taken the correct route so far in handling the crisis and there is need to strengthen its hands rather than putting it in the doghouse on the basis of ill-informed nationalist passions," the editorial opines.

It further goes on to say: "The Indian media have acted irresponsibly, but we can make that charge stick only if we perform responsibly and objectively. Pakistan is passing through a phase that has brought a confluence of problems to our door. To deal with these problems for the greater national good, we need cool thinking rather than inflamed passion."

It cautions the media in Pakistan to stop latching on to the "excessive" statements on Indian TV channels.

In Pakistan, its says discussions on television "are gradually becoming less steamy as facts about the village of one of the terrorists, Faridkot, come to light and the initial media denial fades away. But questions are still being asked."

"Pakistan's government now has to fight the national mind prepared by the media war. The current period is of mixed reactions," it says.

"Balance is the only way to get out of a troubling and troubled situation...That is missing of course and media on both sides do not help those who try to contextualise the problem," the editorial says.

It concludes by saying that the need of the hour "is to stress the requirement of a national security review. The country has to decide the direction it has to take and redefine, if necessary, its security requirements." (ANI)