JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 19, 2012 | Saadia Khalid
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Predictably, the Journalist Panel won the elections of the National Press Club, Islamabad again by sweeping all seats against the Jago Panel.
However, it is somewhat unfair that there was no significant representation of women. The contestants for the key posts of president, vice presidents, joint secretaries and finance secretary – were all men.
This apparently feminist question would surely not be taken well by my male colleagues. “Chalo ab nae kahani shru”, (the start of a new story) they would perhaps say.
It is not the first time this question is being raised. I was among a group of women journalists, who pointed this out to the elected representatives of the press club on several occasions in the past. One answer was: “What can we do if women themselves are reluctant to take part in politics. We can't go to their homes and beg them to be part of our team.” Fair enough!
“Well, why are they reluctant to take part in politics,” we asked. This question was answered only once by an office-bearer. “Achy gharon ki larkyan pehly NPC nahi aya kerti thi. Ab ap log aty hain to shayed halaat badal jain” (Girls from good families did not come to the National Press Club earlier but now that you all have started visiting, things might change).
We were all angered by this comment of his and wondered what he meant by achay gharon ki larkiyan (girls from good families).
Now the question is would anyone classify men as achay gharon kay larkay (boys from good families) and buray gharon kay larkay (boys from bad families)?
Surely, it is the responsibility of the club office-bearers to create a conducive environment for women journalists – enabling them to freely speak for their rights and to also give them due representation.
It is time to go beyond reserving a stinky room for female journalists in the press club and make them equal partners of the journalistic community.
(The writer is a journalist who has worked for Daily Times and The News)
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.