JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 25, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - Absar Alam, Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), has assured the journalist community his organization will not extend any favors to media owners unless they redress the grievances of their employees.
The Punjab Assembly has assured passing a resolution to support journalists’ demands, a Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) media release said Tuesday.
The two developments came in the wake of journalists’ protests across the country outside PEMRA offices demanding rights for the electronic media workers. The protest call was given by PFUJ.
The main and biggest protest demonstration was held outside the PEMRA Headquarters in Islamabad which was organized by Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ).
Hundreds of workers gathered outside the PEMRA Headquarters in Islamabad where a delegation of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), a representative body of electronic media owners, was meeting PEMRA chairman to seek enhancement of advertisement air-time for their channels.
PEMRA Chairman came out of the meeting to meet the demonstrators.
The PFUJ leaders informed him that several channels were not paying salaries to their staff and there was no service structure for people working in television channels. He was informed that while the PFUJ is not against the enhancement of air-time for advertisements, it should not be granted until the owners agree to set up a wage structure. The protesters handed him a memorandum/charter of demands.
Absar assured journalists he would forward their demands to the owners. He said he would grant no new privilege to the news organizations unless they talked to the PFUJ.
In Lahore, the journalists community’, led by Punjab Union of Journalists’ President Gohar Butt, walked out of the Punjab Assembly on the same issue.
Punjab Assembly speaker sent a three-member team led by the Irrigation Minister to talk to the journalists. When apprised of the problems, the team assured that the Punjab Assembly would pass a resolution to support the demands of journalists.
In Quetta, demonstrators reached the Regional Offices of PEMRA on Zargoon Road to protest against the media owners. PFUJ President Afzal Butt led the protest. A large number of members representing Balochistan Union of Journalists took part.
In Karachi, the demonstration was led by Karachi Union of Journalists’ President Faheem Siddiqui. Holding banners and placards, journalists gathered outside PEMRA regional office near Clifton and chanted slogans against the media owners. They also presented a memorandum to the Regional Chief of PEMRA.
In Peshawar, PFUJ Vice-President Bakhtzada Yousafzai spearheaded the protest. The demonstrators presented a memorandum and chanted slogans against the owners for denying rights to their workers.
The Abbottabad Union of Journalists also held a similar protest. Supreme Court Bar Association President Rasheed A. Rizvi also joined the protestors to express solidarity. He assured that his association would struggle shoulder to shoulder with them.
In Sukkur, the demonstration was led by PFUJ Assistant Secretary General and Sukkur Union of Journalists’ President Javed Memon. A memorandum was handed over to PEMRA’s regional chief by the demonstrators.
In Multan, the protest was led by PFUJ member FEC Muhammad Shakeel. Journalists in large numbers took part and also handed over a memorandum to the regional chief of PEMRA.
J.Parkash Moorani, President of Hyderabad Union of Journalists, led the demonstration in his city.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.