Journalists, lawyers observe hunger strike
PESHAWAR: Continuing their protest on the 12th consecutive day against curbs on the media and promulgation of emergency in the country, journalists on the call of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) staged a protest demonstration here on Friday.
Chanting slogans for the freedom of press and against what they called the dictatorial steps of the government, the media persons in large number came out of Peshawar Press Club. Holding banners and placards and hoisting black flags, the journalists marched towards the Governor House. A heavy contingent of police in riot gear was present on the occasion.
When the protesting journalists reached near Governor House police stopped them from going any further. At this the journalists staged a protest demonstration near the Governor House.
The journalists were also chanting slogans like “we want freedom” and “Azadi-e-Sahafat Tak Jang Rahegi” and others.
The gathering was addressed by Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Jan Afzal and General Secretary Nasir Hussain.
Jan said their struggle would continue till freedom of press, withdrawal of amendments to the Pemra Ordinance and lifting of curbs on the media. He asked the government to free press from all kinds of sanctions and withdraw ban on private television channels.
Nasir Hussain thanked the civil society representatives and politicians for supporting them in the protest campaign.
After a brief gathering, Jan Afzal asked the protestors to return to the press club. At the press club, an emergency meeting of the general body of the union was held wherein details of the protest campaign were discussed and strategy was worked out to bring intensity in the drive.
MARDAN: Journalists and lawyers observed hunger strike in front of Takht Bhai Press Club on Friday against media curbs and manhandling of journalists in Karachi.
The protesters condemned the violent behaviour of the government and asked it to stop arresting journalist and lawyers. They vowed to continue their struggle till their objectives are achieved.
Meanwhile, members of the Mardan Bar Association (MBA) arranged a welcome reception for its members released recently and appreciated their sacrifices for the restoration of the Constitution, reinstatement of judges and lifting of the emergency.
General-Secretary of the Bar Abdul Ahad advocate, speaking on the occasion, vowed not to bow down before a dictator and would continue their struggle for justice, independence of the judiciary, press freedom and human rights.
The government had arrested seven members of the District Bar Council (DBA) Mardan, including Qamar Zaman, Farman Ali, Mohammad Rafiq, Pir Younus, Nisar Khan, Bacha Rehman and Humayun Khan.
They were released on Thursday as part the government drive to release thousands of political workers, journalists and lawyers arrested after the imposition of emergency on Nov 3.
However, raids were still being conducted against those whose arrest warrants were issued. Police tried to arrest the president and general-secretary of MBA Khan Ghawas and Abdul Ahad but failed to nab them.
SUKKUR: The token hunger strike observed by the journalists against the imposition of emergency entered seventh day on Friday. The strike was observed at a camp erected outside the Sukkur Press Club.
Leaders of many political parties visited the camp and expressed solidarity with the protesting journalists.
The delegation of the PPP, which visited the camp on Friday, included former MPA Dr Nasrullah Baloch, PPP Sukkur general-secretary Dr Arshad Mughal, Lal Bakhsh Bhutto, Samina Aftab, Falak Naz and others.
They expressed their full support with the journalists in their struggle for the restoration of freedom of the press and the judiciary.
They said all democratic forces in the country were united against the unconstitutional steps of the regime.
Press club president Khwaja Javed Ahmad and Sukkur Union of Journalists president Lala Asad Pathan thanked political parties for expressing their support with media men.
Source: The News
Date:11/24/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
