Daily Times

In response to the call given by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) to launch a wave of nationwide protests, scores of journalists on Tuesday organised a demonstration seeking a permanent end to the un-announced censorship, retrenchment of workers and use of advertisements as a political tool against newspapers and private television channels.

Reportedly, PFUJ Shikarpur President Agha Israr Pathan and general secretary Rahim Bakhsh Jamali led the rally from the Shikarpur press club which culminated at the Jumani Hall Chowk. Meanwhile, journalists expressed profound concerns over the rapid deterioration of press freedom, and emphasised on putting effective efforts for safeguarding constitutional rights of journalists including a permanent end to un-announced censorship, retrenchment of media workers and journalists, payment of their outstanding salaries by media owners.

Senior journalists hailing from Ghari Yasin, Khanpur and Lakhi Ghulam Shah including Sultan Rind, Sajid Iqbal, Ibrahim Brohi, Abdul Khalique Soomro, Abdul Razaq Brohi, Aslam Soomro, Farhan Murtaza Abro, Salam Unar, Rahmatullah Soomro, Sodho James and many others were also present in the demonstration.

Besides, advocates including Nazeer Bhayo, Azam Brohi, notables and members of civil society also participated in the protest to express solidarity with media workers.

Published in Daily Times, October 10^th 2018.