Journalists, civil society protest extremism | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Journalists, civil society protest extremism

LAHORE: Civil society representatives, journalists and lawyers protested against intolerance and extremism in the country at the Lahore Press Club on Monday.

Dozens of people, carrying placards inscribed with slogans against extremism, intolerance and suicide attacks, attended the protest and shouted slogans against religious rigidity.

Joint Action Committee Convener Shahtaj Qazlbash said that a few people wanted to ‘hijack’ the nation in the name of Islam. HRCP Director IA Rehman said theocracy and Pakistan could not co-exist while commission Chairwoman Asma Jahangir denounced extremists for threatening daily Aaj Kal.

SAFMA General Secretary Imtiaz Alam told the gathering that the media could not be barred from expressing its opinion.

Daily Times and Aaj Kal Editor-in-Chief Najam Sethi said the media had gained freedom of expression after great sacrifices. “No one has the right to suffocate the voice of the media. The media has always raised its voice against extremism and it will continue to do so,” he added.

Lahore Bar Association President Manzoor Qadir, SCBA media co-ordinator Azhar Siddique, Abdullah Malik and others also joined the protest.
Source: Daily Times
Date:7/22/2008