Concern as LPC set to open membership

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 May 2012

The Lahore Press Club is expected to open membership for electronic media journalists after a six-year pause. F-Block housing scheme members fear the move will weaken their chances of getting plots and influence club elections.

Summary

LAHORE: In a bid to win the next elections and possibly to get rid of F-Block housing scheme members who were hoping to get plots of land, the Lahore Press Club looks set to open membership for the electronic media. It is being said that about 250 to 300 journalists are likely to be granted membership in the months ahead. President Arshad Ansari, Secretary General Zulfiqar Mehto, Vice President Shahbaz Mian and Treasurer Afzal Talib have been meeting the electronic media journalists seeking firm assurances of votes in return for membership. No new memberships were granted to journalists for the last six years including those representing the electronic media. The previous elected body of the club, led by President Sarmad Bashir had decided not to open membership until the matter of F-Block was resolved. The F-Block is a section of a housing society for journalists given membership after 2005. The housing, however, has been used as a political tool for winning elections. The current head of the press club had assured F Block members he would resolve the matter this year. However, by opting to start making new members now, the F Block members feel they would have no chance of getting plots.