Punjab Assembly resolution: government given 48 hours to expunge derogatory remarks against newsmen
LAHORE: Journalists bodies have given the government 48 hours to expunge the derogatory remarks of the provincial parliamentarians against journalists made during the passage of anti-media resolution; otherwise they will recall country-wide protest.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Pervaiz Shaukat made this demand during a press conference held here on Wednesday, after a meeting of PFUJ’s constituted committee.
Among the committee members included office-bearers of PFUJ, Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ), Lahore Press Club (LPC) and Punjab Assembly Press Gallery. He also said the journalists would continue to cover the Assembly’s proceeding from the press gallery while wearing black bands on their arms as a sign of protest, if their demand is not met. “If the government wishes to negotiate with journalists then it has to come to either Lahore Press Club or PUJ office for a talk with the PFUJ’s constituted committee,” he added.
He showed dissatisfaction over the second resolution’s content passed by the Punjab Assembly. However, he said, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has compensated by declaring the press as a forth pillar of the state and admitting of making a blunder by tabling the anti-media resolution. He also praised the media men for responding to the PFUJ’s call for protest and he warned that they will not allow anyone to impose restriction on media.
Office-bearers of various journalist bodies were also present including LPC president Sarmad Bashir and Secretary Zaiullah Niazi, APNEC chairman Nasir Naqvi and general-secretary Najmul Saqib, PFUJ vice president Asad Sahi and treasurer Makhdoom Bilal Amir, Islamabad/Rawalpindi Union of Journalists general-secretary Jamil Mirza, PUJ general secretary Rana Azim and Press Gallery president Zaheer Shahzad.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:7/15/2010
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