Do TV talk shows achieve any purpose?

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

Quite a lot of times, Pakistani TV talk shows discuss insignificant subjects. Do these talk shows achieve anything worthwhile? Many more burning issues such as education, health, infrastructure, low-cost housing, culture, etc. should be covered and discussed.

In Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Laos, etc., not a single talk show exists. The TV programmes there have a forward-looking and progressive approach.

In Pakistan, the road network in Sindh is in a shambles, schools are of poor standard, houses are non-existent for the poor, electricity is stolen by 40pc of the people, income tax remains unpaid by the filthy rich, black money is transported abroad, etc., all of which has brought the nation to its feet.

The population of Pakistan is growing at an incredible rate. Most of it remains uneducated which is leading to rampant crime.

These TV talk shows talk in thin air about ridiculous subjects, not about issues that need to be covered. It is time they did.

NAVAID HUSAIN
Karachi

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Gul Khan

Oct 29, 2013 08:25am

That will need some serious home work, chit chat is cheap to produce.

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vigilant

Oct 29, 2013 10:43am

Well said. I hate TV talk shows because they don't do any good except beating the bush.

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Dr Sameena Afghan

Oct 29, 2013 10:44am

It has been excellently pointed out by Mr Navaid Husain, in his letter about unnecessary and unrelated lengthy discussions on issues which have no relevance to actual social and economic issues faced by millions of subjects/ taxpayers of this poorly administered country. We must salute Mr Navaid, for specifying and rightly pointing out the real ailments at grass root level. The symptoms of poor state of affairs will only be cured once we all including our rulers focus its attention on the right treatment after recognizing the actual problems. I still seriously believe that there is serious lack of will and resolve to sort out the problems at every level right from the People, Communities, Government and to the International level so that Pakistan may continue in the same 'Rigmaroll of decline at all its fronts internal and external. May we learn this the sooner the better. Dr Sameena Afghan. Islamabad

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Gerry D'Cunha

Oct 29, 2013 02:08pm

TV talk shows are only allegations of no common interest to the general public who do not watch these programmes - TV talk shows are only watched by pakistanis living abroad

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Naseer

Oct 29, 2013 05:52pm

Most talk show hosts are also corrupt. They are unable to point out any good from Pervaiz Musharraf's time. They do not do an honest comparison.

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Tanvir

Oct 29, 2013 08:10pm

TV's talk shows reflect the Pakistani media's attempt to copy like a monkey and look & sound like the US & the Western media who are not facing the same community problems as does the the Pakistani communities. The pity is that in the West these shows die out because of a lack of pubic interest. But in Pakistan, these talk show don't much care about public interest; self interest is more important, after all.

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Tariq

Oct 29, 2013 11:22pm

I hate TV talk show, they are useless and waste of time. These anchors so annoying and full of themselves. It just a circus.

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