Imran-DISSERTATION F
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, RELIGION, DEMOCRACY, AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION IN PAKISTAN by Imran Munir M. A., Simon Fraser University, 2002 M.A., Punjab University, 1984 DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the School of Communication Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology © Imran Munir, 2011 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2011 All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada, this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for "Fair Dealing." Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. APPROVAL NAME Imran Munir DEGREE PhD TITLE OF DISSERTATION: Social Movements, Religion, Democracy, and Political Communication in Pakistan EXAMINING COMMITTEE: CHAIR: Dr. Robert Anderson, Professor Dr. Pat Howard, Associate Professor (Retired) School of Communication Dr. Gary McCarron, Associate Professor School of Communication Dr. Martin Laba, Associate Professor School of Communication Dr. Sunera Thobani, Associate Professor Women's and Gender Studies University of British Columbia Dr. Roman Onufrijchuk, Senior Lecturer School of Communication DATE: June 9,2011 ii Declaration of Partial Copyright Licence The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection (currently available to the public at the “Institutional Repository” link of the SFU Library website <www.lib.sfu.ca> at: <http://ir.lib.sfu.ca/handle/1892/112>) and, without changing the content, to translate the thesis/project or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission. Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. While licensing SFU to permit the above uses, the author retains copyright in the thesis, project or extended essays, including the right to change the work for subsequent purposes, including editing and publishing the work in whole or in part, and licensing other parties, as the author may desire. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Last revision: Spring 09 STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, or (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, collaborator or research assistant in a research project approved in advance, or (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Simon Fraser University Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Last update: Spring 2010 ABSTRACT After gaining independence from Britain in 1947, for more than half of its history various authoritarian regimes and military dictatorships have ruled Pakistan. As military leaders needed civilian masks to legitimize their rule, Pakistan’s parasitic landlords and religious elite stepped in to fill the vacuum, in the process gaining significant control over the socio-political discourse via Islamic ideology. Under this authoritarian arrangement, no dissent or freedom of expression is allowed, and every channel of communication is placed under tight state scrutiny. Similarly, activist pockets of resistance have also never faltered to oppose and challenge such forces and the status quo, significant among them being the media, lawyers, intellectuals, and pro-democracy elements. The first part of this dissertation examines the resistance, social movements, and struggle for democracy under authoritarian rule, and the role of state controlled broadcast media and the independent but severely chained print media in a historical perspective. After the liberalization of private sector broadcasting and cable television in 2002, Pakistan saw a massive surge in digital technologies and new media. The second part examines the role of digital media in organizing collective action, and facilitating democratic struggles during General Musharraf’s tenure. It investigates the role of new media platforms and digital technologies in the service of the largest social movement of lawyers, journalists, media, and civil society from March 2007 to October 2008, a period that saw the imposition of Emergency Rule, crackdown on media, assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and ultimately, fresh general elections that saw the ouster of Musharraf. Given the dire scarcity of academic enquiry into these areas in Pakistan’s history, it is the intention of this dissertation to fill the vacuum. Keywords: Social movements, ideology, Pakistan, democracy, resistance, media, politics, Islam, digital technologies, communication. Subject Terms: Communication, Media Studies. iii DEDICATION This humble effort is inspired by, and dedicated to, all those in Pakistani media, and around the world, who have, and continue to uphold the principals of human rights, investigative journalism, and social activism in the face of authoritarian regimes, daunting oppression, marginalization, gender-biases, injustice, and personal risks and reprisals. It is my privilege to have been part of your unwavering struggle. I hope this dissertation in some small way will serve as a token of gratitude and appreciation of your courage. It is my greatest hope that some day our son, Momin Imran, will also in his own way, play his part in upholding the spirit of fearlessness, and principals of courage. I would like to say a special note of thanks and love to our feline family members, Bibi Jan and Louis Baba, for enriching my world. For years, you have sat by and looked on patiently as I wrote late into the night. And yes, Mrs. Naz Imran, colleagues since 1986, this journey began with you on a Lahori summer day in 1992 in a newspaper office… neither of us knew then it would lead to this page in our lives To many more… iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is my tremendous privilege to acknowledge Dr. Martin Laba for his exceptional kindness, guidance, and support throughout my years at SFU. His intellectual contribution to my doctoral work, sense of humour, and warm friendship always kept me on track. If it had not been for Dr. Laba’s unwavering encouragement throughout the long years of my graduate work, I would probably not be at a stage to write this page today. And Danielle, your silent support and warmth never went unnoticed. Knowing you both has brought me and my family joy and happiness beyond measure. I would like to thank Professor Dr. Pat Howard for her continuing support throughout the writing of this thesis. Dr. Howard’s professionalism and intellectual guidance have served as a strong basis for the completion of my work at every stage. Words serve as mere tokens for the gratitude I shall always feel for Dr. Howard’s unconditional help in revising my doctoral writing at every stage. I remain indebted to you for seeing me through some of the most difficult and challenging days in my academic life. I have enjoyed all the time spent with Dr. Gary McCarron and Dr. Cathy. Your good wishes always played a huge part in encouraging me to pursue the academic path I chose. Dr. Roman Onufrijchuk, knowing you is truly the bonus I received from SFU. Your place in my life, and memories of time spent with you, will always be very special. Working with you has been a joy. You are an exceptional and rare teacher. I learnt immensely from your wisdom, experience, sense of humour, and generosity of spirit. You taught me what compassion really means. In return, I can only offer a heartfelt, humble thanks. A very special thanks is due to Dr. Manzur-ul-Haq Hashmi for his steadfast encouragement, affection, friendship, hospitality, and help in every way. You were always there for me, and taught me by example to believe in myself, come what may. v It is my pleasure to have known the following people during my years at SFU, all of whom became treasured friends: Dr. Mark Cote and Jennifer Pybus, Jackie Cote, Dr. Manisha and Heiko Decosas, Dr. Hari Sharma and Mrs. Shalini Sharma, Dr. Elahe Sohbat, Dr. Roger Howard, Dr. Paul Reynolds, Dr. Arthur-Martins Aginam, Dr. Fiona Jefferies and Pablo, Tamara Wojciechowska, Dr.