ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani and the journalist community of twin cities Wednesday lauded the valuable services of the journalists during the operation against the militants of Lal Masjid/Jamia Hafsa.

The minister also visited the residence of late cameraman Javed Khan and offered profound condolences to his father and brother.
The minister presented a cheque of Rs 500,000 to the widow of the late cameraman. Javed Khan lost his life in the cross firing between the security personnel and the militants of Lal Masjid/Jamia Hafsa during the operation.
Muhammad Ali Durrani also visited another injured cameraman, Israr, at Shifa International Hospital and presented him a cheque of Rs 200,000. Earlier, the minister presented another cheque of Rs 200,000 to another journalist Wahab Khan who was also injured during the operation.
On the occasion, Durrani said that the media carried the most difficult task of dissemination of information to the public in most impartial way. He said during the entire operation, the journalists discharged their professional duties diligently, which was laudable.
“The professionalism and dedication expressed the journalist community throughout the operation has become a golden chapter of our history. The media not only taken all the human aspects before the people, but they also left unforgettable professional memories,” said the minister. He said he wanted to acknowledge the efforts of each and every journalist involved in the coverage of the operation. He requested Huma Ali and Mushtaq Minhas to assist him in this regard.
President, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Huma Ali, President Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club Mushtaq Minhas and General Secretary Afzal Butt were also present on the occasion.
Source: The Nation
Date:7/26/2007