PFUJ holds protest rallies for job security and press freedom

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 January 2021

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists staged protests across the country on issues surrounding job security and press freedom. Key figures addressed the crowd, emphasizing unity among journalists to combat government censorship and protect media rights.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) staged countrywide protests for journalists' protection, media workers' rights, and press freedom on Tuesday.

Journalists, trade unionists, and laid off Radio Pakistan employees and PTV retirees denied dues by the state attended the Islamabad protest.

Former Senate Chairman Nayar Bukhari, who attended the rally in front of the National Press Club, said the government had worsened the common man's living conditions and was taking unconstitutional steps by imposing censorship and denying freedom of expression and speech. "Constitution is the supreme authority which cannot be ignored by any government," he said.

PFUJ Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi condemned the PTI government for its anti-media policies. "Media, journalist community, and politicians are being victimized in the name of so-called 5th generation and hybrid warfare which is damaging the basic fabric of the society," he said.

President National Press Club, Shakeel Anjum, and Secretary-General Anwar Raza urged journalists to forge unity for their rights. "We will continue our struggle till the resolution of issues faced by the media industry."

Former secretary and member of Federal Executive Council of PFUJ, Nasir Malik, said owners and government had joined hands to suppress journalists through financial hardships. "As per reports, the government has released pending dues of media houses, but the owners deny payment of dues to journalists and media workers," he pointed out.

President Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), Amir Sajjad Syed, said only unity among their ranks would resolve the media crisis.

Senior journalist and former controller news of PTV, Ásmatullah Niazi, said the state-run TV management was using delaying tactics in paying dues to retirees of the corporation since 2018.

Javed Siddique of Radio Pakistan demanded the reinstatement of 749 Radio Pakistan employees and urged the federal information minister to intervene in this issue. Myra Imran, Mubarak Zeb Khan, Fouzia Shahid, Hanif Khan, Izhar Niazi, Aoun Sherazi, and Ali Akhter also addressed the rally and condemned the government for its anti-media and anti-worker policies, which were damaging the country's image.