On 5th January, 2010, BBC Urdu published a report "Poverty and hunger strike in Afghanistan" (Afghanistan main ghurbat aur bhukhmari ki mar). The report underlines that Afghanis are starving due to the scarcity of food. It also, sympathetically, recounts the woes of Afghani patients being admitted into hospital for nutrition deficiency. The account narrated by Dr. Fuad to the BCC correspondent goes like this, "The lack of food, especially in our region is really alarming. The factor, obviously, is ongoing war. Our base infrastructure was pulled down and unemployment has increased."
A report denoted ahead of this narration that the district Dr. Fuad expressed his concern about is relatively more fertile than others. The report further brings it to forth "according to governmental statistics, unemployment rate is 40% but in reality it is much higher". According to these statements the viewer is made to believe that Afghanistan is in pitiable state today.
Still further it came as surprise to the reporter that 'in recent U.N.O's categorization of developing countries Afghanistan stood at 179* position among 180 countries. Whereas in 2001 it was in 117" position!' The report held 'civilian's distance from government and escalating support for Taliban accountable' for this fall by 62 places in this category.
On January 11 ",2010, another survey commissioned by the collaboration of three international news agencies , BBC, American ABC, and German ARD, was published on BBC Urdu website titled "The Afghans are hopeful of a betterfuture". (Afghani pur umeed hain). It begins 'Despite counterinsurgency roaring, Afghans are remarkably optimistic about their homeland's fate. According to this survey, one third of the interviewed people thought the situation is getting better while the equal number of other interviewed people were of the opinion that after next year it will improve further.' Here the contradictions do not end but goes on further as the survey unfolds another surprise. The Afghani people's stand on Taliban is catapulted and now 90% want the present government to continue its rule.' One more finding of this report is worth including, most of the interviewed ones told that as a whole the condition has improved, especially electricity, healthcare and employment have got better.'
In only six days how such a mesmerising transformation transpired in Afghanistan is miraculous. But its only BBC who can certify which version is the reality. Such kinds of lucid contradictions and in highly reputed BBC's news articles are distressing for journalism. The survey reports are accessible on BBCurdu.com. *
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