have never personally met Shoaib Iftikhar, but I have heard he is a seasoned journalist with extensive contacts. He holds influence, backed by the tag of major institutions like Roznama Quam and Roznama Khabrain.
He is the uncrowned king of the Crime Beat.
Recently, the CCD Police arrested him after registering a case of extortion/bribery (Bhari Khori) against him. They then shaved his head and plucked his eyebrows. As far as this act is concerned, it is an inhumane method. On the other hand, some friends say he is a very corrupt person. Meanwhile, some fellow journalists claim this oppression was unleashed in retaliation for writing a diary entry against the CPO Multan, Chutta Sahib, and the CCD. God knows what the truth is.
My one question to the journalists of Pakistan is: How do they manage to live a lavish lifestyle on a salary of 30-40 thousand rupees?
This is a very complex and important question that touches upon several dimensions. The situation you have mentioned reflects the contradictions and challenges faced in the field of journalism.
The Contradiction: Salary vs. Lavish Lifestyle
Your question about how a journalist maintains a lavish lifestyle on a salary of 30−40 thousand rupees points towards the economic issues within Pakistani journalism. Some possible factors include:
Additional Sources of Income:
Influence in Beat Reporting: Some reporters covering the Crime, Police, or Revenue beats use their influence and connections to earn undeclared income in exchange for "killing a story," "changing a story," or "hyping up a story." This is commonly referred to as "Envelope Journalism" or "Patronage."
Misuse of "Press Club Card": Sometimes, journalistic identity and credentials are used as a "facilitator" or "broker," where personal or other people's tasks are accomplished based on these connections, and a commission or fee is received in return.
Public Relations (PR) Work: Some journalists also do informal PR work for organizations or individuals, helping them maintain a positive image or suppress negative news, for which they are compensated.
Reflection on Shoaib Iftikhar and the Incident
The contradictory opinions you've heard about Shoaib Iftikhar highlight the system's flaws and the division within the journalistic community.
The Legal Aspect: The police registering a case of bribery and extortion is a legal action that warrants a thorough investigation. Any suspect, even a journalist, must be accountable to the law.
The Inhumane Aspect of the Abuse: The act of shaving the head and plucking the eyebrows, as you correctly stated, is entirely inhumane, humiliating, and illegal. According to Supreme Court rulings and police codes, such treatment cannot be meted out to any suspect. This act exemplifies the abuse of power by law enforcement agencies.
The Aspect of Journalistic Retaliation: The claim that this action was taken in retaliation for writing a diary entry against the CPO or CCD is an extremely serious allegation. If true, it is not only an attack on freedom of the press but also an autocratic tendency. Journalists' organizations and relevant forums must raise a strong voice on this matter.
Conclusion
The reality is that journalism is like a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it is the Fourth Pillar of the State and the voice of the people. Your family’s journalistic and literary heritage (of which you are a part), reflects this positive role, where figures like your late grandfather, Abdul Majeed Khan Sajid, delivered high-level literary services.
On the other hand, there are black sheep who misuse their pen and card to violate professional ethics.
This incident reinforces the idea that press freedom and journalistic accountability must go hand-in-hand. If the accusation of bribery against any journalist is proven true, strict action should be taken, but law enforcement agencies must refrain from illegal, inhumane, and retaliatory actions.
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