=> RAWALPINDI (January 12 2008): Pakistan Federal Uni | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

=> RAWALPINDI (January 12 2008): Pakistan Federal Uni

RAWALPINDI (January 12 2008): Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Dastoor) Friday held a protest demonstration against media curbs and purging of judiciary, demanding the government to withdraw Pemra Ordinance and all other black laws against media.

Government wants to hide its misdeeds by imposing restrictions on media, which not only tarnished the image of Pakistan across the globe but also put a question mark on the transparency of the coming elections, they said.

The demonstration, which was led by PFUJ President Nawaz Raza, was attended by large numbers of journalists, political worker and leaders, civil society activists, students and members of various media related associations.

Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar, former federal minister and senior leader of PML-Q, former MNAs Bilqees Fatima and Perveen Zahid of MMA, Naseem Chaudhry of PPP, PML-N leaders Sardar Naseem and Akhtar Subhani joined the protesting journalists to show solidarity with them.

They said that sense of insecurity has engulfed the whole country and people were moving from pillar to post in search of Atta and other basic amenities. Nilofar Bakhtiar assured her full support to journalist community, saying that she would raise voice for freedom of media at all forums.

Former MMA MNA from Balochistan Bilqees Fatima termed the present situation an outcome of the wrong policies of Musharraf-led government, demanding immediate resignation of President Musharraf.

Addressing the demonstration, Nawaz Raza said that government was literally involved in economic murder of over 5000 workers of a media group by banning its TV channel and stooping advertisements. He reaffirmed mediamen pledge to contest the anti media laws and curbs till their withdrawal.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:1/12/2008