Muhammad Izhar Ali Shah
PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar on Saturday paid rich tributes to journalists who suffered hardships while performing their professional duties for freedom of press and strengthening of democracy in Pakistan.
The event was arranged by Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) at Peshawar Press Club in connection with platinum jubilee (75 years) of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists anniversary.
A large number of media persons, political activists and members of civil society organisations attended the event.
The event serves as platform for journalists,CSOs’members, and political leaders to come together and discuss the importance of pressing freedom and the challenges faced by the journalists in Pakistan in the prevailing situation.
Those shared views on the occasion include, KhUJ president Kashifuddin Syed, general secretary Irshad Maidani, PFUJ’s central leader Shamim Shahid, Mehmood Jan Babar, KhUJ’s former president Arshad Aziz Malik, Peshawar Press club president M. Riaz, Amjad Aziz Malik.
In addition, representatives of political parties including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal) provincial spokesman Abdul Jalil Jan, Awami National Party provincial president Milan Iftikhar Hussain, Pakistan People’s Party provincial senior vice president Syed Ayub Shah, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf’s Kamran Bangash, Qaumi Watan Party spokesman Tariq Ahmad Khan, MPA Gorpal Singh also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Kashif-ud-Din Syed, President of Khyber Union of Journalists talked about the history of PFUJ which is full of sacrifices rendered by journalists at different times for upholding the freedom of expression. He also mentioned names of many journalists who gave sacrifices of life, properties in line of duties. He said that unlike other cities of the country the members of KhUJ were fully united to work together and support each others.
Shamim Shahid said that the PFUJ was founded 75 years ago, and this milestone marks a significant achievement for journalists in Pakistan.
He counted numerous occasions wherein the successive governments targeted the journalists mainly during military dictatorships, for the only reason that they were fulfilling their sacrid duties. He said the journalists were still facing the same haships because they were supposed to expose the ugly faces of all those involved in wrongdoings.
M. Riaz recalled the days when a suicide bomber had attacked Peshawar Press club, saying it first case of it’s kind in the world.
The other speakers at the event praised journalists who have sacrificed their lives for press freedom and highlighted the challenges being faced by journalists even currently.
They also discussed various restrictions faced by journalists, including economic hardships and censorship.
They recalled the days when the journalists faced lashes, imprisonment, enforced disappearance and life threats.
Many of the journalists who were martyred and injured in parts of the country particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were especially mentioned.
They also expressed serious concern over the termination of jobs of journalists without any reason.
They acknowledged the risks and danger journalists faced, particularly those covering conflict and political issues.
The participants recognised the role of journalists in Pakistan’s democratic progress.
