Why is Balochistan ignored by the Mainstream Media? - Waqas Alam on Gwadar Flooding - #TPE 356

May 8, 2024

Baloch journalist Waqas Alam discusses Gwadar flooding, Pakistani state structure, and mainstream media ignorance towards Balochistan. Topics include rains in Gwadar, bureaucracy, fishing culture, climate change, Sardari system, and more.

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INSIGHT

Coastal Dynamics Drive Gwadar Flooding

Gwadar's flooding stems from unique local geography and sea-level effects, not only heavy rainfall.
Alam emphasizes sea intrusion, coastal erosion, and historical events worsening habitability.

INSIGHT

Fishing Culture Shapes Environmental Care

Local fishing culture has a deep spiritual relationship with the sea and shapes environmental stewardship.
Alam contrasts this respect for water with urban attitudes that see nature as a resource to dominate.

ANECDOTE

Journalists Threatened Covering Gwadar

Waqas describes being pushed and threatened during a press visit, showing local reporters' vulnerability.
He recounts police confusion and lack of clear authority during the floods' immediate aftermath.

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Waqas Alam comes back on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the recent flooding in Gwadar, the Structure of the Pakistani State and why Balochistan is ignored by mainstream media. In this episode we discuss the rains in Gwadar, flooding, the bureaucracy, the difference between the two Gwadars, Fishing Culture, Climate Change, Climate Mitigation, the Sardari System and more. Waqas Alam Angaria is a baloch journalist associated with Geo News. He has covered 2022 floods extensively and Gwader flood 2024. He covers a variety of topics, including human rights, heritage, politics, and natural disasters. He had been active in student politics before becoming a journalist. He was a member of the National Students Federation and later became president of Progressive Students Federation Karachi. He tweets @waqasaalam The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience To support the channel: Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912 Patreon.com/thepakistanexperience And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ Twitter.com/shehzad89 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Flooding and Rain in Gwadar 13:00 Climate Change, Drought and Flooding 16:30 Government, Bureaucracy and Balochistan 27:00 Fishing Culture in Balochistan and Respect for Nature 34:00 Climate Mitigation 45:50 Media ignored floods in Gwadar 58:30 Sardari system in Balochistan and State Structure 1:20:00 Academic work in Pakistan 1:26:30 Why does mainstream Pakistanis not care about the peripheries 1:29:00 Audience Questions