BUJ holds protest over threats to journalists by terrorists
QUETTA: The Balochistan Union of Journalists, with the support of other organisations, staged a protest demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club (QPC) on Saturday over threats received by journalists from militants and other groups.
Journalists observed a Black Day and the media unfurled black flags on top of all press clubs in most parts of Balochistan.
The journalists took out a procession from the Quetta Press Club and, after passing through Shara-e-Iqbal, Manan Chowk, Mezan Chowk, again reached the Quetta Press Club where they held a protest rally condemning the threat to freedom of expression and the freedom of press.
Journalists were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans in support of their demands, including an end to the killing of journalists in cold blood. They chanted slogans against the government and security agencies for their failure to give security to journalists performing professional duties.
Addressing the protesters, President of Quetta Press Club Saleem Shahid, Balochistan Union of Journalists President Essa Tareen, Newspaper Hawkers Union President Haji Mohammad Yousaf, IFUJ KP Yousaf Khan, PFUJ Assistant Secretary Razaur Rehman, strongly condemned the threat to the journalists and the killing of newsmen and said that the government was irresponsible and that it made no move to stop the killing of journalists.
The speakers said that the government was increasing pressure on newspapers which was undermining the freedom of press, adding that threats from militant groups were also aimed at curbing freedom of speech. Most of the speakers claimed that journalists were still receiving serious threats to their lives from various organisations, including banned religious outfits and other groups.
They said that the journalists who were killed and injured in target killings and bomb blasts should be paid adequate compensation and that the culprits be brought to justice.
Source: Daily Times
Date:10/2/2011
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