Speaking at the ‘Pro-democracy’ camp set up in front of National Press Club (NPC) by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) they said a few thousand people have paralysed the capital city that is causing adverse effects on the national economy.

Scores of traders, businessmen, students and social activists continued to visit the camp and expressed their support for democracy in the country. They also condemned attacks on journalists by workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

PFUJ president Afzal Butt said all educational institutions in the capital city have been closed due to protest sit-ins and thousands of students are looking towards the politicians for a solution to this mess that is adversely affecting their studies.

“Given the internal and external challenges confronting Pakistan the ‘container’ politicians should show some kind of political maturity and join hands for betterment of the country,” he said. He strongly condemned the attack on the media team of Aaj Television and said had the PTI leadership taken action against those who harassed reporters and cameramen of Geo News this incident would not have happened on Sunday. Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) president Ali Raza Alvi said the journalists’ community always stands by democracy and pro-democracy forces so it is not a matter of personal liking and disliking but a principled stance to strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan.“The pro-democracy camp has helped make all segments of society aware of the importance of strengthening democratic institutions because these can steer Pakistan towards progress and prosperity,” he said.

RIUJ secretary general Bilal Dar said the politicians should not lose patience and come to table to find out a viable and amicable solution to the political crisis. Social activist Ashfaq Saleem Mirza said it is highly appreciable that almost all main parliamentary parties have joined hands to protect democracy and rejected those forces hatching conspiracies against the democratic process.

Senior journalist Abdul Wahid said the journalists across Pakistan are united and vow to put in all their efforts to protect democracy for which a number of journalists faced imprisonments and suffered lashes in the dictatorial regimes.

Human rights activist Farkhanda Aurangzeb said the ‘dharna’ politicians have raised their concerns and recorded their protest so now they should return to their homes and let the people resume their normal life.

Rawalpindi Islamabad Bureau Journalists Association (RIBJA) president Amir Butt said the federation of Pakistan is facing threats but some political elements are showing immature behaviour that is further aggravating the situation.

Former PPP MPA Nargis Faiz Malik said former President Asif Ali Zardari introduced politics of reconciliation and for the first time in the political history an elected government completed its term and handed over the power to the coming government. Later, Alia Mirza and Ali Jawad recited poems and singer Awais presented national songs.

The News

Since it is not known what exactly urged the PTI ‘guards’ to act aggressively, one can only venture a guess. This is not the first incident of its kind. Considering the background, it seems, in the case of Aaj TV too the party zealots had not liked something they saw on the channel and decided to take out anger on anyone related they could lay their hands on. This, though is the last thing expected from the workers of a party that claims to be fighting for the establishment of ‘genuine democracy’ in this country.

First of all, these people must understand that working journalists have to report issues and events, irrespective of what different sections of opinion in society may or may not like to read or see. Second of all, political players need journalists as much to tell their story as do the journalists to report such stories. As a matter of fact, a substantial body of opinion holds that the PTI sit-in would have fizzled out had the media not been regularly giving ample coverage to the daily late evening gatherings and the party chairman’s speeches against his political rivals. In any case, tolerance for the opposing view is integral to democratic norms. It also needs to be recognised, nonetheless, that ideally coverage of stories and events should be free of any bias; in practice media bias is widespread even in advanced democracies like Britain and the US. The media have their own perspectives that may not sit well with one or the other group or party. In case they don’t, it is unacceptable for anyone to try and get validation of their views in a forcible manner. Imran Khan is therefore required to look deeper into the eyes of his uncouth party workers with a view to overcoming ignorance which led to an attack on Aaj TV team.

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