Every political party, when out of power, has declaimed its adherence to democratic norms and has promised to safeguard civil liberties and Press freedom. But as it assumed the office it succumbed to the temptation of using and misusing the draconian laws extant. This resulted in enriching the armory of varied laws that could curb and suppress dissident opinion.

The situation did not improve after the restoration of constitutional rule. Although a spate of verbal guarantees had been given that Press freedom would be 're-established', little or nothing was done to honor this pledge. 
In fact, the gradual mounting attack on the country's democratic forces, fundamental human rights and civil liberties was accompanied by a determined onslaught on the freedom of the Press. 

The Press was doubly coerced and muzzled. On one hand, it was subjected to a number of arbitrary laws such as the Press Ordinance, on the other, it groaned under the deadly pressures of harsher Martial law regulations. Never before in the history of Pakistan was the Press - particularly the dissenting Press - muzzled on this scale.
None of the governments ever allowed to bring about a political change through newspapers, books or through a positive dialogue.

Today, we hardly find those fundamental problems reflected in our papers, which in fact, confront our society. The newspapers provide the readers with necessary information but the core issues seem to be understated.

The conscience of the journalists needs to be re-kindled so as to apprise him of his professional obligation to strive for a social change.

As journalists, it is our duty not only to inform the society but also to reform it and make it worth living in. We believe that the identification and solutions of problems lies in sharing ideas and thoughts. Hence, there is a need for a dialogue at all levels so that the journalists and other sections of civil society could determine their due role in bringing about the desired change.

This idea is not new. Many publications in the past have made earnest efforts in this regard- View Point being one of the most dedicated. Following are the excerpts from the first editorial of the Weekly View Point published on August 14, 1975: 

"Viewpoint is intended to serve as an independent, nonpartisan journal, owing allegiance not any political party or group, but to the basic concepts of a democratic, progressive polity. It's primary aim is to invite serious attention to Pakistan's many problems - economic, political and social - and to foster objective studies and impartial analyses, so that rational solutions can be evolved. Impartiality does not, however, connote neutrality or ambivalence. We have a fairly definite viewpoint in regard to the major problems that confront Pakistan, and thus it will be our endeavour to make this journal a forum for earnest debate on issues may be encouraged on the basis of a realistic understanding and appraisal." (Former Editor View Point, Late Mazhar Ali Khan).

We have no such claims that we can reach somewhere near the standards set by Weekly View Point, but the conviction that had been shown by late Mazhar Ali Khan and his team is surely a source of inspiration to us.