Rival PFUJ factions agree to unite

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 13 July 2014

The PFUJ has seen a unification of its three factions after decades of division. Leaders from each faction signed a memorandum of understanding to move forward together.

Summary

ISLAMABAD : The three factions of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists have unanimously agreed to unite, a move likely to be widely welcomed.

The decision came at a meeting of a reunification committee Saturday which was also attended by leaders of the respective factions - Afzal Butt, Pervez Shaukat and Idrees Bakhtiar.

The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to unify the three factions.

The reunification committee comprises senior journalists M. Ziauddin, I. A. Rehman, Nasir Zaidi, Khawar Naeem Hashmi and Idrees Bakhtair.

According to Dawn, the PFUJ broke up following the imposition of martial law by Gen Zia in 1977 after one group of right wing journalists parted ways with the mainstream and went on to form a splinter group known as PFUJ-Dastoor.

The PFUJ-Barna faced a setback last year when two groups, one led by Afzal Butt and the other by Pervez Shaukat, went their separate ways after disputed elections.

However, after a separation lasting 36 years, two main factions of the PFUJ have decided to form a unified platform for the journalists.

The meeting was attended, among others, by senior journalists Farooq Faisal Khan, Khursheed Abbasi, Mazhar Abbas, Arshad Ansari, Shafiq Awan and Nisar Abbas. Senior members of the PFUJ, Pervaiz Shaukat, Rana Azeem and Amin Yusuf, were also consulted on phone.

Before any move, the matter will be taken to the executive council of each faction for final approval by Aug 25. The reunification committee will meet on Aug 30 to announce a final decision.

Photo courtesy: Farouk Muhammad

KEY POINTS:

• Three factions of PFUJ agree to unite after 36 years of separation.
• The decision was made in a meeting attended by key journalistic leaders.
• A reunification committee has been formed to oversee the process.
• Final approvals will be sought from the executive councils by Aug 25.
• A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Aug 30 to announce the final decision.