PFUJ calls for end to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 4 months ago | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD – In a rare show of unified dissent, journalists walked out of the government’s post-budget press conference on Wednesday, protesting the absence of a technical briefing and what they described as the government's dismissive attitude toward the press.
As the press briefing was about to begin in Islamabad, all journalists present stood up and collectively registered their protest before the Federal Minister of Finance and senior officials. They then exited the hall in a coordinated walkout.
The post-budget press conference is traditionally viewed as a crucial engagement, where government ministers and economic experts elaborate on key aspects of the newly announced budget. It usually includes a detailed Q&A session allowing journalists to seek clarification and insight.
However, journalists told the Federal Minister that the lack of a technical briefing had hindered their ability to accurately report on the budget. They also expressed frustration over the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and senior officials refusing to engage with the press or respond to their queries.
“This unacceptable behavior,” the journalists said, “was intolerable.”
اسلام آباد – صحافیوں نے بدھ کے روز بجٹ کے بعد کی پریس کانفرنس سے واک آؤٹ کر دیا، جو کہ تکنیکی بریفنگ کی عدم موجودگی اور حکومت کے رویے کے خلاف احتجاج تھا۔
جب اسلام آباد میں پریس بریفنگ شروع ہونے ہی والی تھی تو تمام صحافی کھڑے ہوگئے اور وفاقی وزیر خزانہ اور دیگر حکام کے سامنے اپنا احتجاج ریکارڈ کرایا۔ بعد ازاں وہ احتجاجاً ہال سے باہر چلے گئے۔
بجٹ کے بعد کی پریس کانفرنس کو ایک اہم بریفنگ تصور کیا جاتا ہے، جس میں حکومتی وزراء اور اقتصادی ماہرین بجٹ کے اعلان کے اگلے دن اس کی تفصیلات سے آگاہ کرتے ہیں۔ یہ اجلاس صحافیوں کے ساتھ ایک طویل سوال و جواب کا سیشن بھی شامل ہوتا ہے۔
صحافیوں نے پریس کانفرنس سے قبل وفاقی وزیر کو آگاہ کیا کہ تکنیکی بریفنگ نہ ہونے سے ان کی رپورٹنگ میں دشواری پیش آ رہی ہے۔
انہوں نے یہ بھی کہا کہ ایف بی آر کے چیئرمین اور دیگر حکام نے نہ تو صحافیوں سے کوئی بات کی اور نہ ہی ان کے سوالات کا جواب دیا۔ صحافیوں کے مطابق یہ "ناقابلِ قبول رویہ" برداشت سے باہر ہے۔
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
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