Tag: PFUJ

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Pakistan: Journalists thrashed by political party activists

The fresh wave of violence against media and journalists reached Lahore, the capital city of Punjab province where the activists of a political party thrashed journalists with clubs and iron rods injuring many reporters and cameramen at around 5 pm on August 26, 2013. Protest was held by political party activists against alleged rigging in local body elections.

Ejaz George, cameraman for “Capital TV” who received eye injury, told Pakistan Press Foundation that the scuffle started when he asked a party activist to provide him the way for coverage and stay a side. However, he said after the exchange of some harsh words between them the activist, who was carrying a party flag; hit him with the flag’s stick. The stick caused serious injury in his left eye lid and it started to bleed. Journalists rushed him to the hospital. He is in stable condition now, he said.

Many other reporters and cameramen also received minor injuries.

A large number of media persons gathered at Faisal Chowk in front of the Punjab Assembly to protest against the behavior of political party workers and stopped media coverage of the protest. They also boycotted the Punjab Assembly proceedings, demanding that strict action be taken against people responsible. Provincial Law minister immediately expressed solidarity and requested adjournment of the session till August 27. Speaking on the occasion, he said violence with the media representatives was very tragic. Media is an important pillar of the society. Those involved in this incident would be dealt according to the law.
Pervaiz Shaukat, president Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and Amin Yusuf, the general secretary, also condemned violence by the workers of a political party against journalists and demanded of the government prompt action against culprits.

Members of Punjab Union of journalist (PUJ), Lahore Press Club and Punjab Assembly Press gallery continued their protest demonstration. Addressing on the occasion Arshad Ansari, president LPC announced his complete support and also announced a protest demonstration outside assembly at 10am on August 27. Meanwhile, PUJ has given a protest call for same day at 3pm at Faisal Chowk.

Later, Political party leaders, and Opposition Leaders in Punjab Assembly apologised to journalists. Expressing solidarity with them, the party leaders said they would conduct an inquiry into the incident and cancel the party membership of those linked to it.

Pakistan Press Foundation

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Pakistan: Case registered against journalists

On the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan, police registered a case on August 26, 2013 under the Anti-Terrorist Act of 1997 of the constitution against Salman Iqbal, the chief executive of leading television channel ARY News, Owais Tohid, Executive Director, Shahid Hameed Rind, Quetta bureau chief and Sabir Shakir, Islamabad bureau chief of the same organisation over the broadcast of a video showing the bombing of the national monument by a separatist group in the restive province of Balochistan.

The provincial information department of Balochistan alleged in the case that ARY News ran objectionable video clips in its current affairs programme on Aug 13, about the destruction of Quaid Azam Residency in Ziarat district following an attack in June by a separatist group.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Couryt of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry had taken notice of the video and asked Pemra to inform him about action taken against the channel.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) condemned the series of attacks on freedom of press. Pervaiz Shaukat, president PFUJ said all journalists communities condemned the curbs on media and warned country-wide protests from the PFUJ.

BUJ and other media networks called for withdrawal of the case. The BUJ has decided to stage a demonstration in front of the Balochistan Assembly on August 27. Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) also announced the protest in front of Karachi Press Club same day.

Pakistan Press Foundation

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Pakistan: Court seeks to impose restrictions on live TV coverage, Journalists oppose curbs on media

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on August 23, 2013 directed The government to submit a comprehensive report of making the procedure of controlling the live transmissions of television channels.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken suo moto notice of the case regarding Islamabad firing incident of August 15 where a person opened fire in the heavily policed heart of Islamabad after passing the capital’s many checkpoints. He was later shot and seriously wounded by police during a 5-hour long dramatic standoff which was shown live on television channels.

The chief justice asked the authorities why all television stations showed live coverage of the incident and no one contacted Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). He said steps were not taken to control media and pemra chairman appeared helpless during the entire episode. He said TV channels were bound to abide by directives issued by Pemra.

Zulfiqar Malooka, counsel for Pemra while appearing before the court submitted that Pemra chairman had telephoned the TV channels to stop the live transmission but they did not implement the directive. He said that they wanted to take action against the channels for not complying with the order, but Article 19-A of Constitution became hurdles in that regard.

However, the district magistrate admitted in court that no contact was made with the media to stop live coverage of the incident.

Finally, the chief justice observed that there should not be live coverage of the events, which encourage the terrorists and spread fear among the masses.

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing till September 5.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Pervaiz Shaukat and General Secretary Amin Yusuf said in the annual general council of the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) on August 24 that they would oppose any move to put curbs on TV channels. KUJ President G. M. Jamali and General Secretary Fahim Siddiqui condemned the restrictions imposed by the SC on media and announced that KUJ has passed the resolution in the general council meeting stated “The KUJ will resist attempts by the government, the Pemra or from any other quarter to impose any restraint on electronic media.”

Pakistan Press Foundation

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Journalist’s murder condemned

PESHAWAR/SWABI: Journalists in Peshawar held a protest demonstration against the murder of Qalat Press Club president Mehmood Afridi and demanded of the government to arrest the accused involved in the case.

While speaking on the occasion office-bearers of Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ), Peshawar Press Club (PPC) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the cold-blooded murder of an innocent journalist and demanded judicial inquiry into the case.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for protection to the journalists they shouted slogans against the killers and asked for unveiling the conspirators involved in the bloodshed.

Addressing the protesting journalists, president PPC Nasir Hussain lamented that journalists were being killed in the country, including Fata, but the government was least bothered to properly investigate these cases.

In the prevailing situation, he said mediapersons were feeling themselves completely insecure as 12 journalists had been killed in line of duty in Fata during the last five years, but no accused had been arrested so far. They said journalists in the country in general and in tribal belt, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in particular, were facing serious problems in performing their duties due to worst law and order situation.

They said the killers of Miranshah Press Club president Malik Mumtaz, Khushnud Ali Sheikh of Karachi and Mahmood Afridi should be arrested forthwith.

Meanwhile, Gandhara Union of Journalists (GUJ) and Abaseen Union of Journalists (AUJ) on Saturday demanded provision of security to the media people in the face of the attacks on journalists.

Haji Wali Mohammad, president of AUJ, and Mohammad Farooq, president of GUJ, speaking at separate meetings held here demanded arrest of the killers of journalists Malik Mumtaz of North Waziristan and Mehmood Afridi of Kalat, Balochistan.

Condemning the attacks on the journalists, participants said media persons were targeted as they acted to bridge the gab between the government and masses, putting everything to the people.

Wali Muhammad said: “It is the responsibility of the government to provide security to journalists.”

Source: Dawn