JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 03, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD – Journalist groups Saturday gathered in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to protest Friday’s attempted kidnapping of Geo Television’s senior correspondent Azaz Syed.
Afzal Butt, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and veteran journalist Nasir Zaidi led a protest at the Rawalpindi Press Club.
Syed Friday escaped a kidnapping attempt by unidentified men in a car and on a motorbike. He was intercepted on Park Road near Bani Gala Police Station. Sensing danger, he sped away towards Taramri Chowk and arrived at the Shahzad Town Police Station.
Zaidi termed the kidnapping attempt as an attack on the press.
“Azaz Syed does bold reporting and reports on terrorism, but some powers do not like such reporting. Journalists would not let any of their colleagues to be attacked. We stand united.”
He said democratic governments were no better than dictators.
“The democratic governments have shut down papers; they jailed journalists. Newspapers were shut down even in Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s era,” he said.
Zaidi said the journalists were going through tough times and it was a pity the government was acting as a silent spectator.
In his brief speech on the occasion, Azaz Syed said that journalists had faced such atatcks in the past also and they wouldn’t be deterred by such cowardly acts.
Sheikh Rasheed, leader of the Awami Muslim League said he had told Azaz Syed to be careful in his reporting many times.
In another protest outside the National Press Club, Islamabad, PFUJ Dastoor Group made it clear the journalists would not take such attacks on the press lying down. The protest was led by President Nawaz Raza.
He said they would not leave Azaz Syed alone in this difficult time. “Let this be clear to those who have committed this ugly act that journalist fraternity stands united.”
Journalists Umar Cheema, Mazhar Iqbal, Pervaiz Shaukat and Matiullah Jan made brief speeches as did Azaz Syed.
Syed said this case was not about an individual. “It is an attack on freedom of press.”
He said that this incident would in no way affect his reporting. “I have faced such things in the past and would remain undeterred in the future too.”
The protesters called for immediate arrest of those who attempted to kidnap Syed.
Image courtesy: Matiullah Jan
January 17, 2025: In an unprecedented breach of judicial protocol, Pakistani journalists accurately revealed Imran Khan's 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir case on social media 24 hours before the official verdict, raising serious questions about court independence
January 17, 2025: Geo News faces backlash for insensitive coverage of Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing, airing Bollywood song clips before announcing the tragic news
January 17, 2025: An in-depth analysis of ARY News' false reporting on Imran Khan's verdict and the broader crisis of unverified news in Pakistani electronic media, exploring solutions for responsible journalism.
January 16, 2025: The FIA has registered cases against five individuals, including journalist Imran Riaz Khan and PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, for sharing defamatory AI-generated content targeting the UAE President and Punjab Chief Minister. How does this reflect on Pakistan-UAE relations and the misuse of AI?
January 13, 2025: An analysis of Absar Alam's controversial criticism of successful Pakistani YouTubers in exile, examining the intersection of journalism, digital media success, and political persecution, while questioning the credibility of criticism from a former PEMRA chief whose own appointment was declared illegal.
January 13, 2025: Prominent journalist Asma Shirazi faces relentless online harassment in a coordinated campaign involving gendered disinformation. Press freedom groups demand immediate action to protect female journalists in Pakistan.
January 10, 2025: The FIA Cyber Wing is investigating a social media campaign involving AI-manipulated images of Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Teams are working to trace the content's origins and identify those involved.
January 05, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com welcomes renowned cricket historian and broadcaster Dr. Nauman Niaz as sports editor, bringing his extensive experience in cricket journalism, broadcasting, and scholarly work to strengthen the platform's sports coverage.
January 20, 2025 Pakistan at the Crossroads of Glory and Expectation! As hosts and defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, the team stands poised for greatness. Can they turn the weight of national hope into victory? Read our in-depth analysis!
January 18, 2025 A CPJ report reveals that 361 journalists were jailed globally in 2024, with China, Israel, and Myanmar leading. The alarming trend highlights threats to press freedom and rising authoritarian repression worldwide.
January 16, 2025 Explore the evolution of the ICC Champions Trophy and cricket’s commercialization journey, from a gentleman’s game to a global enterprise. Discover how the ICC balanced tradition with revenue generation.
January 12, 2025 Explore an in-depth analysis of Pakistan cricket's decline in Test matches, examining systemic failures, cultural challenges, and the urgent need for modernization. From mismanagement of talents like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to resistance against technological advancement, this comprehensive piece investigates how a cricket powerhouse finds itself at a critical crossroads between tradition and progress.
January 09, 2025 Shan Masood's magnificent 145 and a record-breaking opening stand with Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's valiant fight against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite their resilience, Pakistan fell short, reflecting on deeper cricketing issues.