PFUJ demands opening of ITNE under government SOPs

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 12 July 2020

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has called for the immediate reopening of the Implementation Tribunal of Newspaper Employees. They emphasize the need for a forum to handle journalists' complaints as the tribunal has been inactive for months.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has demanded immediate opening of the Implementation Tribunal of Newspaper Employees (ITNE).

President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi in a statement have called upon Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz to intervene, as the tribunal, is the only forum for redressal of complaints and cases of aggrieved journalists and media houses.

“Since it is not functional for months, several cases have been pending before the tribunal. All courts, including high courts and the supreme court, are regularly hearing cases while following COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines; the same procedure could be adopted for hearings at ITNE,” they said.

KEY POINTS:

• PFUJ demands reopening of ITNE.
• ITNE is crucial for addressing journalists' complaints.
• Tribunal has been non-functional for months.
• All courts are hearing cases following COVID-19 SOPs.
• PFUJ urges Minister Shibli Faraz to take action.