the-south-asian.com                                     January 2003

 

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JANUARY  2003 Contents

 

 Peace in South Asia
 - Is it attainable?
 Read what they have 
 to say:

 Introduction

 Swami Agnivesh &
 Rev Valson Thampu

 Ardeshir Cowasjee

 Lt. Gen Arjun Ray 

 Raju Narisetti

 Waheguru Pal Singh 
 Sidhu

 'Junoon'

 Music

 Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
 - 50 years of sarod

 Heritage

 Secular symbols of
 Sri Lanka

 
 2002 Round-up

 Books 2002

 Sports 2002

 
 
People

 Raju Nasiretti

 Mahreen Khan

 
 
Real Issues

 Corruption vs. NGOs


 Neighbours

 Letter from Pakistan

 Books

 'India in Slow Motion'
 - by Mark Tully

 Serialisation of  'Knock at every alien 
 door' - Joseph Harris

 

 Events

 South Asian Events in
 London &  Washington DC

 
 Editor's Note

 the craft shop

 Lehngas - a limited collection

 the print gallery

 Books

 Silk Road on Wheels

 The Road to Freedom

 
Enduring Spirit

 Parsis-Zoroastrians of
India

 
The Moonlight Garden

 
Contemporary Art in
 Bangladesh
 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

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Mahreen Khan

- presenter of ‘Question Time Pakistan’

by

Isidore Domnick Mendis

 

Mahreen-khan.jpg (72706 bytes)

"People must be told not only of our common past but the importance of a common future"

 

Mahreen Khan studied law at Cambridge, public administration at Harvard; she was a legal and economic policy adviser with the United Nations in Kosovo; and now hosts BBC’s Question Time Pakistan, a 50 minute weekly discussion programme.

As presenter of BBC World's Question Time Pakistan, a 50 minute weekly discussion programme comprising four panellists and studio audience, Mahreen Khan’s somewhat ambitious mission in life is to try and bring peace between the two nuclear-powered neighbours through her popular show.

" I'd like to usher in more people-to- people contact. Have TV shows where both Pakistanis and Indians can participate. Air serials, contests and talk shows with representation from both countries. That would certainly help people warm up to each other," said Mahreen Khan in a telephonic interview from Karachi.

Question Time Pakistan telecast every Friday at 10:00 p.m. on BBC World has a high viewership - thanks to the issues discussed in the show.

Born and brought up in London, Mahreen graduated in law from the Cambridge University and then went on to do her masters in public policy from Harvard. She returned to London for an advanced law course at the Bar of England, and subsequently got selected as legal and economic policy adviser at the United Nations administration in Kosovo.

Last year after her father retired, she too quit her job at the UN and decided to return to her roots. " In Pakistan we have our extended family. Being the only child I decided to spend more time with my family."

Knowing how things operate in Pakistan, Mahreen decided not to pursue law." I began utilising my knowledge of law and politics in TV documentaries, which included themes like the Afghan refugees and fight against militancy."

" My most memorable documentary was on the dynastic politics of Pakistan. It has been telecast several times on viewer demand. I think the issue of dynastic politics is prevalent across South Asia. But the media hardly pays heed to it," says Mahreen.

Glowing Reviews

It was perhaps this documentary that got noticed by he BBC World and Mahreen was selected to anchor Question Time Pakistan that commenced airing from August 2, 2002 and has been receiving glowing reviews.

Says the anchor, " Though the target audience is from the subcontinent but people within the Asian region, who have similar problems like poverty and emancipation of women, have a great liking for the programme. Besides India and Pakistan we have been receiving a lot of feedback from the Gulf countries as well."

The highest response was for an episode titled President Special. That, says the anchor, was a great achievement because never before had the President of Pakistan participated in a TV interview except for the state television."

Being a woman and in Pakistan has it been easy to pursue such a dynamic profession? Yes, says Mahreen, " I feel so proud that a woman has been selected to anchor Question Time Pakistan. I am doing my best to dispel the stereotypical image of a Muslim woman not being able to pursue a serious career."

And what's her next goal in life? " I'd like to use the show to promote the concept of conflict resolution between India and Pakistan. People must be told not only of our common past but the importance of a common future," says Mahreen.

Being such a high profile over-achiever is there anything she really still desires? And the answer is a bit surprising. " Yes. I'd like to visit India. I've never been there." And is there anything specific she'd like to do while in India? " Yes. Head for the Taj Mahal. I've always craved to see the great monument of love!"

 

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