Journalist hold rally against emergency
SUKKUR, HYDERABAD – On the call of PFUJ the journalists belonging to electronic and print media Sukkur and adjoining areas took out a protest rally on Tuesday against the imposition of Emergency, PCO and Curb on freedom of press.
The protesting media men were holding placards, black banners and flags, inscribed with slogans to repeal the new press laws and PEMRA Ordinance, marched on Club Road, Minara road, and Stadium Road resulting in suspension of traffic there, while large number of people also joined them to show their solidarity.
The protest was a part of PFUJ’s series of protest programme, in which token hunger strike camps were also held at Sukkur Press Club during last four days in which prominent civil society leaders, social and political workers and office bearers of District and High Court Bar Association also came and, offer their whole hearted support and solidarity with the protesting media men.
Sukkur Union of Journalist (SUJ) President Lala Asad Pathan and General Secretary Shahid Ali and Sukkur Press Club (SPC) President Khawaja Jawaid Ahmed and General Secretary Jan Muhammad Mahar in their speeches condemned imposition of Emergency, PCO and Curb on press of freedom.
Earlier, Sindh High Court Bar Association Sukkur delegation including Advocate Shabbir Shar, General Secretary, Advocate Abdul Fatah Malik, Advocate Zahida Lanjar and lmtiaz Soomro also held a meeting with the press club office bearers to express their full support to their struggle against controversial press laws.
They said that media was also strong pillar of the civil society, and hope that Bar and Media would be able to achieve success in restoration of democracy, constitution and rule of law.
They said that as token of solidarity with the media community, they felt honored to acknowledge the epic role of them in the struggle of bar and judiciary in the wake of 9th March events.
Trade Unions Leader Moula Bux Khaskheli along with his party men also met the protesting journalists at press club to express complete solidarity with them in their ongoing struggle.
Meanwhile, the local police arrested some 25 journalists here on Tuesday when the journalists of Hyderabad, Matiari, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar and Tando Muhammad Khan districts took out a rally from local press club.
They wanted to march through Miran Muhammad Shah road towards sessions court to protest against emergency and curbs on media. Police, which was deployed outside press club in large number with mobile and prison vans, did not allow journalists to take out rally and arrested some 25 of them on the road outside press club.
The rally was taken out as per decision of journalists at federal level. It was led by Khalid Khokhar president of press club Hyderabad. Rally was also attended by noted lawyers including Pakistan Bar Council member Yousuf Leghari, civil society representatives Nazir Memon, Dr Hyder, Abrar Kazi and Dr. Nazir Shaikh.
Police put them in prison van and took to Cantonment police station. Those arrested include Khalid Khokhar, lqbal Mallah, Naz Sahto (KTN) Hamid Shaikh (Gee), Wahab Munshi, Abrar Kazi and Dr. Nazir Shaikh Sindh (Democratic Front), Anwar Chandio, Muhammad Hussain, Aurangzeb, Sharif Abro, Baradi Chang, Nazir Charan, Amir Rind, Jay Parkash, Mahesh Kumar, Altaf Khaskheli and Munawar Dayo.
Source: The Nation
Date:11/21/2007
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