Sherry’s apology ends journalists’ boycott
ISLAMABAD: The journalists’ fraternity after apology from Secretary Information of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sherry Rehman has ended their two hours boycott.
The journalists performing their duties in front of the Zardari House observed two hours boycott over humiliating treatment by private Security Guards of Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari.
The journalists ended their boycott after holding successful negotiations with PPP Secretary Information Sherry Rehman.
The Secretary Information PPP while talking to media men on the occasion has asked the journalists to end the matter as the country is already facing critical time of its history.
She emphasized that the security situation in the country is not satisfactory, adding that some elements create disturbance in front of the Zardari House by yanking the tents.
The Secretary Information underlined that PPP has always had cordial relations with the journalists and urged the media to cooperate with us. PPP would issue special cards to the concerned news reporters and the humiliation of the journalists would not be tolerated in future, she added.
Sherry Rehman on the occasion has assured the media men that a meeting between news reporters and Co-Chairman PPP would be arranged as we believe in democracy.
The journalists while presenting their demands have urged the PPP leadership and staff to behave respectfully and not to harm their self-respect. They recalled that the leaders of PPP have also mistreated and beaten the media men at a dinner hosted in the honor of the ambassadors of Muslim Countries in Marriott.
It is important to mention that after the Lahore bomb blasts, the security of Zardari House have been enhanced suddenly and after erecting barbed wire, the security guards of Zardari House pushed the journalists from the entry way.
Several Security Guards have also been called and started the searching of bags and cameras of the journalists creating anger among the media men. The issue was referred to high officials of PPP but the matter was not paid attention.
No important leader of the party including Sherry Rehman and Farhatullah Babar contacted with the media men, which forced the journalists to boycott the coverage.
It is also noted that after the boycott of the media men, the Security Guards and police deputed on duty continually teased the journalists.
Source: The Nation
Date:3/12/2008
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