The report points fingers at all those quarters that have, in the past, been accused of making life a living hell for journalists from all media backgrounds. They include not just the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but also state security agencies and even political parties. Basically, everyone with something to hide has a score to settle with this country’s media men and women. The most visible cases that outline the dire threat against journalists are those of Saleem Shahzad who was killed after he uncovered a story about militant ties with the security agencies and Wali Khan Babar who was killed in Karachi after exposing some of the mafias that have the city in its grip. Both cases highlight how the state’s security agencies and the mafia wings of certain political parties may be involved in putting the lives of journalists at risk.

Pakistan has earned and retains the unenviable title of ‘the most dangerous place in the world for journalists’ since 2010. The Amnesty International report clearly states that journalists have been threatened and coerced for reporting on the military, political parties and militant outfits. It also states that lack of persecution has allowed this open hostility towards journalists because no one has so far been brought to book for the deaths and intimidation of journalists. If one thinks about it, the deaths of Saleem Shahzad and Wali Khan Babar seem to have forever been lost in the murky waters of the country’s rich and powerful interests. In addition to this, the electronic and print media bodies and managements of media organisations refuse to take responsibility for their employees, never bothering to look into the threats visited upon journalists who uncover some of the biggest and most damning stories in the country. The media has been a relatively free voice, a watchdog of society, since 2002. It is the one forum in the country where people are held accountable and crimes by the well connected are brought to light. If those who threaten the media are allowed to walk away with impunity, there will be no end to these crimes against humanity and freedom of expression. The Amnesty International report should not be taken lightly; it is there for the whole world to see. With a new elected government about to take office, it is time it and the media bodies came together to tackle this growing threat to the media.

Source: Daily Times

He expressed these views at a reception given in honour of office-bearers and workers of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Karachi Union of Journalists, and All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confede-ration at Lal Qila Ground, Azizabad, on Saturday night.

Dr Sattar said it was necessary to give the reigns of the country in the hands of the educated and qualified people from the poor and middle class segments in order to bring it back from progressive degradation.

He said that the problems being faced by the journalists were of critical nature and hence practical steps should be taken to resolve them. He said that the MQM has always raised a forceful voice for the long-standing issue of implementation of wage board award for the journalists. He said that the long march of 14th January would bring a wind of change in the country.

Deputy Convener of the Co-ordination Committee Senator Nasreen Jalil, other members of the committee, MNAs, MPAs, Senators, office-bearers of different wings attended the reception. In-charge of the Information Department of the MQM Wasay Jalil and other members of the committee were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Haider Abbas Rizvi said that it was necessary to empower the journalists for a durable solution of their problems. He said that it was necessary to infuse confidence among the journalists. He added that the MQM would continue to raise its voice in support of the journalists’ community whether it was in power or not.

President PFUJ Pervaiz Shoukat said that the MQM had always given importance to the problems being faced by the journalists and its positive role could not be forgotten. He said that the MQM is a principled political party and it had always been raising its voice for the oppressed people. He recognised that the MQM was the only political party that raised the issue of the implementation of the wage board award in the higher echelons of power.

Shoukat said that journalists also belong to the poor and middle class segments of the society and their problems were similar to those faced by the common people of Pakistan. He said that the MQM had supported journalists on every platform for which the journalists’ community were highly grateful.

Secretary General of PFUJ Amin Yousuf said that the MQM’s role for the solution to the problems faced by journalists was very clear. He hoped that the MQM would continue to give priority to the problems faced by the journalists’ community.

General Secretary of KUJ Faheem Siddiqui said that no one could deny the positive role played by MQM for the rights of the journalists.

Pakistan Press Foundation

“The council has raised the issue of law and order situation and safety of journalists to the officials of the Balochistan government on numerous occasions,” read a press statement issued on Tuesday.

“The PCP is also trying hard to address security fears of working journalists in Punjgor and other sensitive districts of Balochistan, and is having a constant contact with the administration and the Balochistan government in this regard.”

Pakistan Press Foundation