Showcasing Pakistan

It is not a name that will ring a bell in India. And if you saw him, you certainly wouldnt associate him with the world of showbiz. For Pakistans best-known TV producer, Nawab Kaifee works hard at keeping out of the spotlight. I have always avoided controversies and maintained a low profile, letting my work speak for myself, says Kaifee in chaste Urdu.

If there is one thing Kaifee cannot be blamed for, it is lack of enterprise. He has the distinction of having set up the first private TV software house in Pakistan, called Eastern TV News (ETN).

ETN caters to most international broadcasters and news agencies, providing footage to everyone from the London-based WTN, ABC News, CNN, BBC and Kuwait TV to Star TV and Zee TV. Apart from news coverage, ETN also makes documentary films.

 

We have been focusing on all aspects of broadcasting from Pakistan, which includes culture, politics, besides, other events and our effort has been to project the right image of the country, Kaifee says. Indian viewers will get a taste of his work as Kaifee-directed Postcards From Pakistan is supposed to make its debut on Star Plus from November 30. The journalist-director is very optimistic that Indians will enjoy the show.

But does he feel that the serious business of reporting news is getting trivialised by the visual medium? The diplomat in Kaifee surfaces unconsciously: I do not think so. What TV reports is at times more factually correct as visuals back the assertions. However, I cannot rule out exceptions to the case.

Corrigendum

In the profile of Beverly Brar, who was featured in the Mondays People column on October 27 1997. The India Business and Community Partnership Trust was established in 1995, not 1993 and Hindustan Lever is not a member. Ms Brar worked for the World Food Programme, not WHO. The errors are regretted.