Yesterday, 20th January, was a normal day for me just like it was for almost all Pakistanis – except for those who are no more with us after the Charsadda massacre; and their friends and families. 

Yes, I felt bad, for a few moments. I felt like crying.

There were some heated debates on TV going on regarding the political and security situation, while we enjoyed our hot cups of coffee. But I didn’t miss my day at work or any other scheduled meeting. I am quite immune to terror attacks. This was a fourth brutal attack of its kind in almost less than a week time - there were two attacks in Quetta, and one in Peshawar the previous.

But today when I switched television on I saw Sanam Baloch doing her morning show. She looked sad and the guests on the show, including Waseem Badami and Shahood Alvi, seemed concerned as well.

While the host with moist eyes was throbbing her heart out for the martyrs, one could hear a sad and melodramatic music in the background.

For a moment I was looped in a paradox. I should be feeling sad, but I was angry. Shahood was about to say something and Sanam stopped him because the producer whispered something in her ear: “Take a break”.

All that sadness, that pain and passion vanished into oblivion because obviously the break was more important. And then, all those posh models started selling their "manjans” with as lousy and loud music as you can imagine.

I was wondering: where is that sad music now? I suddenly realized why I was angry.

I have encountered many deaths of my closed ones and I know the feeling and mourning. I cannot switch or take a break when I am sad, when I am crying. It’s impossible.

Ever wondered why these channels take a break? Because they are not mourning, they are making a business out of it.

I then switched to another show where Sahir Lodhi was wearing an extremely purple deep neck kurta. He was talking to a reporter who was present at the house of Rehman Ullah (a driver who lost his life in yesterday’s attack). The questions asked were horrible as usual.

How could the mother and uncle of the deceased possibly feel? But that wouldn't stop the reporter from going on. Then Sahir lodhi, on behalf of his channel, announced a monthly allowance of Rs15,000 to the family of ‘martyr Rehman Ullah’.

The reporter then turned towards the mother soaked in grief and delivered the ‘happy’ news. She responded with a straight face. The reporter then turned around towards the uncle and asked, “How are you feeling about (the TV channel) providing you the monthly allowance?”

I was stunned. In five minutes the show switched from “how are you feeling about death of your son?” to “How are you feeling about Rs15,000?”.

That reminded me of those billboards advertising TV channels as ‘No.1 in Pakistan’. Definitely, number 1 in selling the misery of victims.

For long we have been acquainted with such attacks, deaths, media analyses and condemnations by our leaders. But today I have realized why we are doomed. This is because there are always two attacks. The first in which people die, and the second, immediately following the first, in which the conscious of our “businessmen” dies.

I request all the morning show hosts, producers and guests to please stick to your usual gimmicks, make up, marriages, etc, but please stop selling misery after terror attacks.

I do not doubt your intentions, but you cannot be distraught and sell mobile phones at the same time.