ISLAMABAD: The government has established a 12-member Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, a long-awaited step aimed at improving the safety and rights of media workers across the country. The information ministry issued a notification announcing the commission, which will operate under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021.
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The independent body includes representation from all major factions of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), reflecting efforts to build broad consensus within the media industry. According to the notification, the commission also includes two ex-officio members from the federal government, supporting coordination between the state and the journalist community.
Among its key members are National Press Club Secretary Nayyer Ali, Press Association of the Supreme Court Secretary Ghulam Nabi Yousafzai, and Naveed Akbar Chaudhary of the Parliamentary Reporters Association. PFUJ leaders such as Afzal Butt, Hassan Abbas, and Nawaz Raza have also been nominated, alongside regional representatives from unions in Karachi, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
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The commission’s formation marks a significant development for media workers who have long demanded mechanisms to address threats, harassment, and safety challenges faced by journalists. The body is expected to play a vital role in monitoring violations, recommending protective measures, and ensuring implementation of legal safeguards.