Three factions of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Monday constituted a National Action Committee to fight for the media workers’ rights, including delay in salaries, retrenchment and freedom of the press.

“We will not allow the government and media owners to target the workers,” said the representatives of all the three factions of the PFUJ during a meeting at the Karachi Press Club.

The NAC, comprising president and secretary generals of all three PFUJs, Afzal Butt, Ayub Jan Sarhandi, Rana Azeem, GM Jamali, Nawaz Raza and Sohail Afzal Khan, would meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, the federal information minister, all media owners, APNS, CPNE and PBA to express their concern over the deteriorating situation in the media industry.

The meeting resolved that the present media crisis had threatened the freedom of press and basic, fundamental, economic and labour rights of over 25,000 media workers all over Pakistan.

The Express Tribune 

ISLAMABAD: National Press Club (NPC) was live with sentiments of love and respect for pride of journalism in Pakistan, Hussain Naqi. Senior and junior mediapersons clapped, embraced and adored him with shower of rose petals on his arrival. Naqi was the chief guest at the NPC in the reception organised by the Club as well as Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.

Amidst thunderous applause and slogans of “Zinda hein sahafi zinda hein,” Hussain Naqi said that rendering sacrifices is a tradition of Pakistani journalists. He called for unity in trade unions in media industry.

He said that he had gone to the medical commission of Punjab after reading relevant laws. He reminded retired Justice Amir Raza of his old anecdote on which he lost temper. He said that we do not like the media to behave like it did in the turbulent year of 1971. He said that media owners have enough money to sustain the pressure and struggle jointly with journalists to win media freedom again.

Nasir Zaidi who braced lashes during Zia dictatorship said that Naqi is a commander of pen pushers and holder of flag of freedom of expression when censorship is in its peak in the history of Pakistan. He said that we will campaign and struggle for the rights to say and one day, the media will be independent in Pakistan.

Veteran journalist Nasir Malik said that inviting an icon of freedom of journalism and human rights is an honour for the NPC. He was a hero of the struggle then and is a hero even today. We learnt journalism and fighting for its independence from Naqi, Nisar Usmani, Minhaj Barna and others. He said we cannot repay the debt we owe to these luminaries. We want to give a message to powers which are bent upon eroding the hard earned freedoms. He said we all are Nisar Usmanis, Minhaj Barnas and Hussain Naqis.

He also condemned efforts in the name of Media Regulatory Authority where final power will rest with the government. He declared to prevent passage of this bill by launching a movement.

Mustansar Javed, former editor, Dateline Islamabad, said that we are going to face a worse period. We already lost half of the country. He said that we are witness that Naqi always stood firm on his Kalma e Haq before every Jabir Sultan wherever or whenever required.

Renowned poetess and activist Kishwar Naheed Apa said that an Urdu-speaking Naqi brought out a Punjabi daily Sajjan from Lahore. She congratulated Mr Naqi as well as the organisers. M Ziauddin, former Editor, The News, said that Naqi Sahib remained a source of inspiration whether we were students or in journalism. He said that Naqi taught us how to talk with rulers eye-ball to eye-ball. He said that the government earns bad name if it cannot ensure reach of all newspapers and channels in all areas of cities. He also urged the government to ensure safety and security of journalists. He called for unity in journalists to safeguard freedoms and rights.

Anchor Hamid Mir said that we can follow blindly after Naqi, Ziauddin and the like. There is no such person in politicians and judges, he said. Afzal Butt, President, PFUJ, said that we will not act as robots.

He quoted Asma Jahangir who had stated the bad time is ahead for journalism. Now the court does not allow even food from home for people in custody. He announced Hussain Naqi Award every year to a struggling newsperson from the NPC platform.

Tariq Chaudhry, President NPC, said that the strange treatment of an egoist gave new life to the struggle of mediapersons. He said that media industry has lighthouses like Naqi to guide us.

Fauzia Shahid, former Secretary PFUJ, said that Naqi has united journalism in Pakistan and we are thankful to him for this. Mubarak Zeb Khan said that media houses are being targeted financially by the powers that be resulting in retrenchment of journalists from newspapers and TV channels. He said that Hussain Naqi kept his tradition and his role rekindled the struggle of newspersons for their rights.

Harris Khalique read a message of Prof Amin Mughal from London. Naqi is “Shayan- e-Bazu-e-Qaatil,” Prof Mughal quoted from Ghalib. Ali Raza Alvi, Asif Shabbir and Dr Abid Abbasi and also spoke on the occasion.

The News 

KARACHI: Journalist community on Friday staged the sit-in outside Governor’s House to protest against the intrusion of security men in plain clothes in the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and demanded of the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

It is pertinent to mention here that number of gunmen in plainclothes reached the KPC in various expensive vehicles and barged into club late on Thursday. Witnesses said that the gunmen created harassment and panic among the journalists present at the time of raid.

Witnesses said that armed men roaming in different parts of club and examined different portions of the club including kitchen, upper floor of the building and sports hall. The gunmen were also captured the videos of club and also taken the pictures of club. When the journalists asked the gunmen about their identities and cause behind such action but personnel in plainclothes remains tide lips and failed to justify action.

They said that gunmen completed their operation and managed to flee without giving any reason behind such the raid. Witnesses said that gunmen apparently associated with some security agency used highly expensive vehicles and also a police mobile. The KPC administration immediately informed to the concern authorities and demanded an immediate inquiry.

On Friday, a condemnation reference was also held at the Karachi Press Club before the rally in which the KPC President Ahmed Malik and General Secretary Maqsood Yousufi demanded of the provincial and federal authorities to bring those involved in the incident to book.

They said that it was unprecedented in the history of the press club that armed security men would enter its premises and harass the journalist community. “Such acts undermine the government claims of independent media and should be thoroughly investigated,” they demanded.

Later, a rally was taken out from the Karachi Press Club and a sit-in was staged at the Governor’s House.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the KPC led by KPC President Ahmed Malik and General Secretary Maqsood Yousufi met with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, who assured of his full cooperation to bring those involved in the incident to book.

The governor said that he would take up the issue with Prime Minister Imran Khan and action would be taken against anyone involved in the incident. The KPC office bearers announced to end their sit-in after the assurances and said that they would not tolerate any attack on the media.

“We are ending our sit-in after assurances from the governor and a progress report of the incident will be conveyed to us soon, they said.

Furthermore, the provincial government has termed the incident a misunderstanding. Initial investigation has revealed that the action on KPC was conducted due to the confusion as the GSM locator traced incorrect location said that Adviser to Chief Minister Murtaza Wahab adding that provincial rulers were standing by journalist and always ready to the address the matters of journalists.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the entry of armed people into the premises of the press club and demanded of the provincial government of Sindh to set up a high level inquiry to investigate the incident.“The trespassing of the press club by armed people who apparently belonged to some security agency appears to be an attempt to harass the media a joint statement issued by PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Ayub Jan Sarhandi said on Friday.

“Let the PFUJ make it very clear to such elements that journalists cannot and will not be cowed down by such tactics aimed at controlling the media,” the statement said.

The PFUJ leaders said that the successive governments in Pakistan have tried to control media through one way or the other but the journalists have successfully thwarted all such efforts.

“If such elements or any institution considers that the journalists will back out from their struggle for a free media and right to expression, they are sadly mistaken,” the statement said. “Let it be very clear to all that journalists will not be brow beaten and continue to resist all such actions aimed at curbing the freedom of expression in the country.

The Nation

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Dawn: KPC incursion

ABBOTTABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Afzal Butt group) has given a nationwide call for protest on Oct 9 against mass-scale retrenchments in the media, non-payment of salaries, unannounced censorship by state institutions, intimidation of journalists by state actors and registration of treason cases against journalists.

The PFUJ, an umbrella organisation of various media unions, took this decision during the second day of its Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Abbottabad Press Club with Afzal Butt in the chair.

The FEC meeting is being attended by representatives of journalists from across the country to devise a comprehensive strategy for launching a long struggle not only for the economic rights of media workers but also to protect the freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution.

“We are facing great threat from state institutions who want to gag the press freedom,” said one speaker at the meeting. “The state institutions are trying to control the media through curtailing their advertisements, hampering the distribution of newspapers and taking off-air those television channels who do not toe their line.” “These state actors are also trying to harass the working journalists through front men or other government departments to initiate cases of treason or register FIR against them under Anti-Terrorism Act,” the FEC observed.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Monday called upon All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council for Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA) to extend their support to protest sit-in to be staged in front of the Parliament House on December 8 against non-provision of security to the media houses by the incumbent government.

In a letter sent to APNS, CPNE and PBA, PFUJ President Afzal Butt urged to thoroughly denounce blatant attacks on media establishments, crimes against journalists and threats to free media in the country.

“In 2015 alone, as many as eight media workers have been targeted and shot; six of them lost their lives. In past couple of months alone, two media houses have been raided; attacked with grenades. Others are operating under serious threats,” the letter said.It further stated that despite numerous commitments and promises the federal government has miserably failed to provide an enabling environment for an independent media in Pakistan.

The letter underlined the fact that in the past five years, Pakistan has been dubbed as ‘the most dangerous country for practicing journalism’ by at least three credible international media watchdogs.

Since year 2000, 111 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in the line of duty. Statistically speaking, a journalist has died every 48 days in Pakistan for the past 15 years.

It said: “To protest against this new wave of targeted attacks on media houses and the workers, PFUJ is staging a demonstration and a sit-in, in front of the Parliament House starting from 8th of December, 2015.”

The primary objectives of the protest sit-in include provision of safety for journalists and media houses; arrest of perpetrators involved in crimes against media and journalists; and establishment of special prosecutors at both federal and provincial level to pursue the cases of slain journalists.

PFUJ along with some civil society groups has been leading the struggle to secure safe environment for journalists. However, the recent attacks have proved that the battle for the freedom of media and expression is far from over.

The letter stated “Join us from 8th of December, in front of the Parliament House to demand the right of justice for our slain colleagues and security for the media workers.”

The News

Addressing on the fourth day of “Pro-Democracy” camp set up by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in front of the National Press Club (NPC), representatives of journalists associations and civil society organisations urged the politicians to think about democracy and Pakistan and set aside their personal political agendas.

The participants of the camp strongly condemned the attack and harassment of woman reporter of leading Geo News Farhat Javed by PTI workers and manhandling of correspondent of ARY Television Babar Malik in Rawalpindi and urged the political parties to direct their workers to let the media persons work freely. PFUJ President Afzal Butt said the political parties should realise the intensity of the situation and play their role in resolving the political crisis that is dangerously threatening the democratic process in the country. “It is also not a right step to gather a few thousand people and start threatening the incumbent government because there are various options to resolve the issues in line with the law and Constitution,” he said.

Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) President Ali Raza Alvi said the ‘Dharna’ politics had made Pakistan a laughing stock in the comity of nations, so the political parties should think about it and pursue constitutional means to settle their issues.

RIUJ Secretary General Bilal Dar said Pakistan was passing through a critical phase and it is highly insensible to offer threats to the democratic process at this moment because it would serve no purpose except to create more problems for the country.

JI MNA Ayesha Syed said the political crisis is increasing day by day, so there is a need to resolve it at the earliest for the sake of democracy that is currently facing serious threats. Social activist Rabia Hadi said the protest sit-ins in front of the Parliament House were setting a bad trend in politics because if the politicians would lose patience, then no government would be able to complete its constitutional term. The participants also passed a resolution stating they rejected the ‘Dharna’ and ‘container’ politicians and are ready to render sacrifices for the sake of democracy. It said small segments of the society cannot be allowed to pose threats to the democratic process because it is the will of the large majority of the people to stand firm and united and work diligently for a progressive, prosperous and peaceful Pakistan.

“No bargaining will be tolerated or compromised for the Constitution of Pakistan. The existing Constitution is the best document and must be protected by all means although, new amendments can be introduced to bring good governance in the country,” it said. It said, “Both PTI and PAT should join dialogue with the government to resolve the present crisis. We are agree for electoral reforms and combating corruption within the framework of the Constitution.” It appreciated the suggestion and role of Pakistan Army to resolve the political crisis peacefully through dialogue. Moreover, it lauded the Pakistan military forces for operation against terrorists in the NWA.

The News

In a joint statement on Sunday the labour and civil society organisations announced to join the PFUJ’s dharna (sit-in) in front of the parliament in Islamabad on January 28 and demanded of the government to accept all demands of the working journalists. The organisations including the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), National Trade Union Federation, Muttahida Labour Federation, Hosiery Garments Workers General Union Sindh, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Port Workers Federation and others expressed serious concern over the failure of the government to look into the serious issues confronted by the journalists.

Pakistan Press Foundation

Three journalists working for Samaa television including Saifur Rahman Saif, Imran Sheikh and Mohammad Iqbal were killed in the Quetta explosions, which claimed around 100 lives. The demonstration was led by KhUJ, PPC office-bearers and other senior journalists.

The speakers on the occasion condemned the government and the owners of media houses for taking no steps for the protection of journalists. They said the camera and DSNGs of the media houses were insured, but no life insurance of the reporters and media workers could be arranged.

They demanded the media owners to adopt and implement standard operation procedures for the protection of journalists and save them from the mass killing in the name of “breaking news” and race for taking leads.

Our Bahawalpur correspondent adds: On the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Bahawalpur Union of Journalists (BhUJ) staged a demonstration to condemn the Quetta blasts in which two journalists were killed.

Several other journalists, including a Geo cameraman, with others were injured in the blasts. The journalists led by PFUJ founder member A Majeed Gill and BhUJ president Muhammad Ameen Abbasi gathered outside Farid Gate and chanted slogans against the killings. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the government. The protesters were wearing black ribbons and holding banners inscribed with slogans condemning the killings of journalists.

Pakistan Press Foundation

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