Press Statement

Pakistan: World Press Freedom Day observed

04 May, 2021
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and its affiliated regional unions observed World Press Freedom Day on May 3 and held seminars, protests, walks, discussions and candle vigils countywide. The Union leaders said that they would continue their struggle for freedom of speech and expression in the country and no law putting embargo on the freedom of speech and expression will be tolerated. President PFUJ GM Jamali attended ceremony at Karachi while Secretary General Rana Muhammad Azeem presided over function in Lahore and Sheikhupura to mark the day.
The speakers in the functions held at Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Hyderabad, Ghotki, Sakhar, Rawalpindi Islamabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Qasur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, DG Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Abbottabad and other cities emphasized that Pakistani journalists were facing lot of problems which are compromising their freedom of speech and expression. Illegal terminations, Cuts in the salaries, non payment of regular wages, down sizing and advices by the government of Pakistan and PEMRA on different occasion were tantamount to the embargo on the freedom of speech and expression in the country and the PFUJ and its affiliate unions would not accept such things.
President GM Jamali and Secretary Rana M. Azeem while addressing the audience said that the media industry was passing through a difficult time where working journalists had to cope with illegal terminations, cuts in salaries, non payment of wages and other such issues but they would continue their struggle for their survival. Pakistani journalists has been facing dictators and draconian laws but did not compromise on the freedom of speech and expression. they demanded the government of Pakistan and  different Provinces to provide financial and physical securities to the working journalists so that they could continue their duties of telling truthful information to the people of Pakistan. They demanded that fake cases registered against the working journalists in different cities be with drawn and murderers of the journalists be punished while the families be given financial support and compensation. they also demanded that journalists be given health securities and health cards while Corona vaccines be given on priority bases.
The union leaders said that they would continue their struggle for the restoration of democracy in the country and urged the government to pass bill in the parliament for the restoration of freedom of speech and expression as expressed in the constitution of Pakistan and UN charter.
Ihtsham-ul-haq
PFUJ Secretary Information & Coordinator

Written By

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists 8A Aboot Road, Lahore, Pakistan Phone: +92 321 4613322

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