Journalists stage rally against Nov 3 emergency
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists on Monday held a protest rally from National Press Club to the Parliament to observe black day of November 3, 2007 when dictator Musharraf imposed emergency in the country and put a ban on free voice of media.
The rally was led by Afzal Butt, claimed to be President of PFUJ, and Farooq Faisal President, National Press Club, and participated by journalists of the twin cities and political leadership of the country.
Addressing the rally, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said the political leadership, lawyers, journalists, and civil society have thrown out the dictator with their joint efforts. “We have faced the dictatorship on July 5, October 12, November 3 and will not allow anyone to hijack democracy with a gun,” he added.
PML-N legislator Sheikh Rohail Asghar said no dictator could stand when the nation stood united.Senator Zahaid Khan of ANP said the ANP always struggled for the supremacy of institutions rather than personalities. ‘If the media did not stand like a wall against dictator then democracy could not be restored,” he added.
Dr Shireen Mazari said the PTI always supported the freedom of the press and stood for the independence of the media.Senior journalist and renowned anchor person Hamid Mir said November 3 is the day of resolve to make all out efforts to keep the independence of the media.
Speaking on the occasion Afzal Butt said struggle of the National Press Club and journalists against November 3 emergency was appreciable and non-forgettable as they staged a protest camp outside the National Press Club for 72 days and even celebrated the Eid with their families in the protest camp on foot path.
Mushtaq Minhas, an anchorperson, also addressed the rally.Our correspondent adds from Lahore: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) observed Black Day across the country to condemn the imposition of emergency, promulgation of PCO by former president Pervez Musharraf in 2007 and organised a seminar here on Sunday.
Former President of Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association Ali Ahmad Kurd, former Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Allah Nawaz, PTI senior leader Shafqat Mehmood, senior columnist Sajjad Mir, senior journalist Salman Ghani, IFJ advisor Pervaiz Shaukat, APNEC Chairman Nasir Naqvi, PFUJ President Rana Muhammad Azeem, Secretary Gen PFUJ Amin Yousaf, President Peshawar UJ Nisar Hussain and President Gujranwala UJ Sajjad Dar, PPP leader Khurram Latif Khosa, SAP Director M Tahsin and journalist from Switzerland Amjad Chaudhry spoke on the occasion.
Ali Ahmad Kurd said the situation is not changed even in the democratic government as the people of Pakistan are still looking for their basic rights. He admired the role of media in success of their movement against Musharraf and hoped that they would continue the same if needed in future.
Justice (R) Allah Nawaz said that the emergency ended and Gen Musharraf had to quit but the situation seemed to be the same in the country again. “Money laundering and concentration of power has been the menace but no one was ready to look into and resolve these serious issues,” he observed.
Shafqat Mehmood said that journalists had to work in difficult situations due to government’s checks while sometimes their own media groups caused them problems. Salman Ghani condemned political parties who were enjoying due to the movement against emergency and Musharraf but no one could manage a protest to observe black day on November 3. Sajjad Mir said that it was high time that media, judiciary and civil society be made accountable. He said that we are passing through a critical time where our independence is at stake.
IFJ advisor and former President PFUJ Pervaiz Shaukat said the PFUJ had been fighting for the rights of the people and media persons and observed a number of protests, sit-in and arranged rallies to restore democracy in the country. Rana Muhammad Azeem, claimed to be president of PFUJ, demanded that media owners should take steps to ensure protection to life of the journalists who work in dangerous situations.
The PFUJ Secretary General Amin Yousaf said that 250 journalists in Karachi and hundreds in other cities of the country were taken into custody by the forces. He demanded that political parties should come forward and support the cause of journalists to ensure their basic rights.
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