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.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
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.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.