People
Pakistan foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri talk to Arnab Goswmai only on TIMES NOW
MUMBAI: Pakistan foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri has rejected news reports of a possible Pakistan link to the Samjhauta blasts, saying that in South Asia investigations cannot always be taken at face value, because investigators often present facts keeping political factors in mind.
Taking to TIMES NOW, Mr Kasuri was categorical in dismissing all initial leads and accusations, on who could be responsible for the tragedy.
Mr Kasuri was appearing on the TIMES NOW show “Frankly Speaking” where he was talking to Arnab Goswami. Here’s the relevant excerpt:
Arnab: There is talk of a phone call being made to Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK). Sources have been quoted as saying that there is some Pakistani link to the Samjhauta blast. We would like to know what you think about it?
Kasuri: I would repeat what I said on the first day. It is totally counter-productive. To say that a Hindu or a Muslim or an Indian or a Pakistani (is responsible) you destroy the entire process of investigation. You know we live in South Asia, we know what our police and security agencies (are), you know the moment the leaders start saying something, you are supposed to produce results in consonance with what the leaders are saying. What I am saying is that lets hold our horses, let us wait for investigations to be completed let those details be shared with Pakistan and only then can we come to a conclusion.
The Pakistan foreign minister also made it clear that whatever the findings of the Indian investigating agencies, they would have to be ratified by Pakistani agencies if his government is to take any action. This comment assumes great significance given India’s refusal to conduct a joint investigation into the Samjhauta blast, a unanimous demand of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Here’s the relevant excerpt.
Arnab: What if evidence is given, what will you do with it?
Kasuri: Well if evidence is given to us and our investigators come to the same conclusion then whosoever is involved will be punished.
The Pakistan foreign minister also warned that the peace process will “fail” if it turns into a blame game or if India used it for “propaganda”.
He said that now that India and Pakistan had turned over “a new leaf”the finger pointing must end, hinting at India’s constantly offering different forms of evidence about Pakistan supporting terror groups.
Here’s the relevant excerpt.
Kasuri: Both countries are suffering from terrorism. And let me tell you this (joint terror mechanism) will succeed for the simple reason that both countries have interest in it. And this is bound to fail if this is used for propaganda, for giving different swings, spins and twists.
Arnab: What propaganda?
Kasuri: Like ‘I gave you that name, you gave me that name and what have you done?”. Or saying that forty years ago that happened, or twenty years ago this happened. Nothing is going to work this way. You turned a new leaf when the two countries started talking to each other.”
The interview with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri will be telecast on the show “Frankly Speaking with Arnab” at 2.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Sunday
People
Senior exec Madhu Soman reflects on stepping away from Indian TV news
Sometimes the toughest story in a newsroom is the one about the newsroom itself.
MUMBAI: For Madhu Soman, a media executive whose career spans more than two decades at global news organisations including Reuters and Bloomberg, the decision to step away from India’s television news industry followed conversations with several leading networks.
Soman returned to India in 2022 to take up a senior leadership role in television news.
He transitioned to the business side of the industry in 2014, joining Bloomberg in Hong Kong to lead broadcast sales, news syndication and strategic partnerships across Asia-Pacific. He held the role for nearly eight years before returning to India.
“WION and Zee Business were the reason I chose to return to India after long years with Reuters and Bloomberg, transitioning from telling stories to selling them,” Soman said.
“The landing strip back home was always narrow, but it was one I was happy to take.”
The stint at Zee Media Corporation Ltd., however, proved shorter than expected.
“It didn’t take very long to realise that my runway within Zee (Media) was going to be rather short,” Soman said.
“Let’s just say I was a cultural misfit.”
Even so, he says the experience had its rewards, including exceptional colleagues and a few good friends.
After stepping away from the organisation, Soman was in discussions about potential roles.
“I spent the better part of the last two years in conversations with a few leading networks, long enough to realise the difference between being unemployed and being unemployable.”
Some of the feedback, he says, was unusually candid.
“Two of them informally told me I’m perhaps one of the best media executives in the television news business. But someone like me fronting a television news network would be considered a business risk,” Soman said in conversation with IndianTelevision.com.
For Soman, the implication was clear.
“A news network fronted by someone whose instincts were formed in journalism rooted in independence, accuracy and editorial distance from power was unlikely to find much favour with the powers that be.”
Beyond the personal dimension of his decision, Soman says the experience reflects broader pressures shaping the news industry today.
“Journalism’s job is simple: ask hard questions and hold power accountable. Keep it honest,” he said.
Quoting former Washington Post editor Marty Baron, he added: “We’re not at war with the government. We’re at work.”
“That principle applies to anyone in a position of influence, whether in government, business, sport or entertainment.”
At the same time, he says the industry faces growing pressures.
“Authoritarian regimes that resist scrutiny, along with rapid technological change including AI, are reshaping and often undermining journalism’s traditional business model.”
“There’s also a growing credibility deficit, as the race for eyeballs rewards whoever delivers the news first rather than whoever confirms it best.”
Having worked on both the editorial and commercial sides of the industry, Soman says he is acutely aware of the economic realities media organisations face.
“Running a media organisation today means being a pragmatic P&L owner. The challenge is to keep investing in strong journalism while making the economics work at a time when a growing share of the industry’s revenue is increasingly being captured by technology platforms.”
“If we drop the ball on accuracy and trust, we do a grave disservice to the democracy we’re meant to serve.”
His experience straddling both content and commerce has shaped his view of how the industry must evolve.
“Good journalism and good business strategy are not opposites,” he said.
“The best media businesses are built when editorial integrity, audience trust and sustainable economics reinforce each other.”
“And ultimately, none of it works without strong teams. Leadership in media is as much about building people and institutions as it is about building products.”
Soman is now preparing to return to his hometown of Trivandrum, barely four years after returning to India.
“Delhi NCR has a way of testing your patience, your stamina and occasionally your sanity,” he says. “But it also leaves you with stories that will last a lifetime.”
“So as I pack up and head home to Trivandrum, I do so with no complaints and no regrets.”
“I didn’t sell my soul. Some things, after all, aren’t for sale.”
Soman’s reflections underscore the tensions between editorial independence, commercial realities and political pressures shaping television news today. His experience offers a window into the challenges facing media leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. For him, the decision marks a moment to step back after decades spent across global newsrooms and media businesses.
