JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 30, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - A meeting of the Unification Committee of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) was held Saturday and chaired by M. Ziauddin (pictured).
According to a press release, Hussain Naqi, Rahimullah Yousafzai and Shahid Ur Rehman were in attendance. Other members were consulted on telephone. A number of relevant persons especially invited by the committee also attended the meeting.
The committee reviewed its work to date and fervently assured the community at large that the process of unification was proceeding in the right direction and the achievements so far have been highly positive despite some obvious setbacks due mainly to manipulation by some media houses interested in making the PFUJ their pocket union. In case these media houses continue with their nefarious activity, the UC would be constrained to name and shame them publicly with evidence, the release said.
It said their shenanigans have been the main reason for the delay in completing the process of PFUJ unification. The UC came to realize this during its visit to Karachi. During the same visit the committee also realized that a handful of members of our own community have developed personal financial interests amounting to millions and, therefore, were bent upon going their separate way, come what may. That is the reason why the UC felt the need for conducting audit of the accounts of both the factions to find out how much each faction mobilized in the name of the community during their respective tenures since the 2013 elections and how these amounts were spent. The regular bank account of the PFUJ was frozen by their bankers, the National Bank, soon after two factions claiming to be the genuine representative of the community emerged.
The UC on Saturday directed the sub-committee headed by Rahimullah Yusufzai tasked to investigate the circumstances leading to the split in the PFUJ to submit its report by June 10.
Yusufzai expressed his desire to consult friends from Karachi Union of Journalist and other friends from Karachi before finalizing the report. In this connection, he and another member Shahid-ur-Rehman would visit Karachi to consult friends from Karachi once again.
Hussain Naqi went thoroughly through the evidence and information collected by the Unification Committee in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. He was of the view that irregularities committed by both the factions during the 2013 elections were of such scale that it looked more like a farce. He was of the opinion that the committee should voluntarily wind itself and confess its failure to bridge the gulf between the two factions or undertake to hold election for UJs and delegates to the next BDM.
But the alternative was found to be too time consuming and beyond the scope and capacity of the UC. It was, therefore decided to announce a firm election date before the start of the Haj season. And it was also decided to announce the names of election commission members and its chairman before June 10.
The committee also considered a written communication from Sattar Javaid, member PFUJ election committee 2013. He pointed out that both groups took part in election process, submitted nomination papers and fully participated in the balloting and counting process and that “the role of Mr Mushtaq Minhas was deplorable who snatched the results from Chief Election Commissioner and swallowed the result paper."
The committee was later joined by President of Khyber Union of Journalists, Saif-ul-Islam Saifee who conveyed the willingness of KhUJ to host the next BDM to elect the PFUJ office-bearers afresh.
The KhUJ president said that his union will make arrangements to host the BDM in Peshawar or Abbotabad. In this respect, however, he pointed out certain financial and administrative constraints and proposed that BDM be held in August to avert July, the hottest month of the year.
A delegation from Lahore comprising Raja Riaz and Shafiq Awan claiming to be representing Amin Yousuf, the secretary general of one of the two controversial PFUJ factions. Both factions stood defunct after the signing of the settlement agreement on March 16, 2016 by the faction’s President Rana Azeem and Secretary General Amin Yousuf who also joined the meeting later and made some cogent proposals. Former President of PFUJ Pervaiz Shaukat also spoke to the committee.
Journalists from Lahore supported the earlier decision of the unification committee that 2013 BDM should comprise the electoral college for next PFUJ elections. It was proposed that 2013 delegates who attended May 15, 2016 elections and those who took part in this election be given an opportunity to join the mainstream and attend next BDM scheduled in Peshawar/Abbottabad.
It was stressed by Pervaiz Shaukat that if two groups emerging out of 2013 elections created rift in the PFUJ, those who attended Murree elections were equally at fault. Give them an option to return to the main fold, he suggested. Those people who went to Murree BDM and took part in election must publicly admit their fault, representatives from Lahore said.
Related posts from JournalismPakistan.com Archives:
Committee reviews PFUJ unification process, prepares for polls
Sub-committee constituted to probe alleged irregularities in 2013 PFUJ polls
PFUJ Unification Committee assured support for holding elections
PFUJ Unification Committee decides to hold elections
February 11, 2025: The PFUJ has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to suspend the PECA Amendment Act, arguing that the law curtails press freedom and contains contradictory provisions. The court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.
February 09, 2025: Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.
February 08, 2025: As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.
February 07, 2025: PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.
February 06, 2025: PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.
February 06, 2025: Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.
January 29, 2025: As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.
January 29, 2025: Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.
February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.
February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.
February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.
February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.
February 03, 2025 Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.