Journalists say they will not succumb to pressure: Demonstration in Peshawar
PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) held a demonstration on Thursday to denounce the attack by police on members of the Faisalabad Press Club. On the occasion newsmen said they would not succumb to pressure tactics.
Carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the military ruler and in support of press freedom, journalists condemned the brutal methods of the Punjab police.
The protesters shouted slogans against the military government which, they said, had bulldozed every symbol of democracy, justice, rule of law and press freedom in the country during the last eight years.
They demanded the withdrawal of ordinances which had placed new curbs on the print and electronic media.
President of the Khyber Union of Journalists Jan Afzal said the journalists were not just fighting for the restoration of transmission of some television channels but also for restoration of democracy, the Constitution, fundamental rights and reinstatement of superior court judges.
He said: “Our struggle is … part of a broad democratic struggle … against all forms of exploitation, suppression and repression.”
The rulers, he said, had damaged the country’s image by imposing emergency, suspending the Constitution, issuing the Provisional Constitution Order and sending honest and courageous judges home.
He said the struggle for the early resumption of some private channels’ transmission would continue.
Criticising the ban on private television channels, president of the Peshawar Press Club M. Riaz said the community of journalists was fighting for not only its own rights, but also for the restoration of democracy and rule of law in Pakistan.
He observed that the military rulers could not conceal their wrongdoing from the rest of the world by gagging independent national media.
Lauding the valour and commitment of Faisalabad journalists, the KhUJ general secretary said the rulers had trampled upon the Constitution, conquered the Supreme Court and they were now trying to subdue the press.
He said the journalists would not relent in their protests, adding that they had always given a tough time to dictators and their lackeys.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/23/2007
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