=> ISLAMABAD: An official of the Pakistan Federal Uni
ISLAMABAD: An official of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said on Saturday the whole nation would continue to believe that Pakistan was still under emergency unless the government withdrew its two controversial press ordinances.
“Unless the government restores freedom of the press, the whole nation would continue to support the struggle of journalists,” said Mazhar Abbas, the secretary of the PFUJ.
He was addressing a large gathering of journalists, members of civil society and lawyers on the 43rd day of the protest camp here at the camp office of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club.
Afzal Butt, President Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), said that the government was trying to put curbs on the media through its controversial ordinances, but journalists would continue to fight for their rights.
Senior journalist Hamid Mir said that only journalists and lawyers were put under emergency. “The end of emergency in the country is just eyewash,” claimed Hamid.
Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin, President of the Capital Development Authority Workers Union, also expressed solidarity with the journalists.
Jamil Abbasi, a member of civil society, said that the government was trying to silence the voice of the whole nation by putting curbs on the media. “We are with you and will celebrate the coming Eidul-Azha with you on the footpaths of Islamabad,” Jamil said.
Former MNA Amna Piracha, vice-president RIUJ Shahryar Khan, Abid Abbasi, former federal minister Julis Salik and Imran Dhilon also addressed the gathering.
Meanwhile, the RIUJ in its emergency meeting decided on Saturday that the journalists protest camp would continue during the two Eidul Azha holidays on December 21 and 22.
Meanwhile, the Newspapers Hawkers Union with members of civil society organisations, students and journalists protested against the imposition of ban on Geo TV even after the lifting of emergency from the country and demanded reopening of its transmission.
The protesters also staged a rally on Murree Road here on Saturday. President of the Hawkers Union Aziz Ahmed Satti was also present on the occasion.
A large gathering of students present on the occasion demanded the reopening of Geo TV transmission in public interest.
Source: The News
Date:12/16/2007
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