ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: Journalists of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednesday asked the government to refrain from imposing curbs on media and ensure implementation of 7th wage award.
To protest November 3, 2007 sanctions imposed on media by the former president General Pervez Musharraf, scores of journalists of the twin cities staged ‘Determination Day rally, which started from Press club Melody camp office and culminated at Parade avenue.
They were carrying banners and placard inscribed with slogans like, we want freedom and journalists are alive.
Prominent among those who participated in the rally include journalists leaders Mazhar Abbas, Hamid Mir, Mushtaq Minhas, Afzal Butt, Shehryar Khan and former federal Minister J. Salik, PML-N leader Siddique-al-Farooque, MNA, Haji Pervez Khan, Shahid Shamsi of JI, Ilyas Subhani and others.
Addressing the rally at Parade Avenue, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club President, Mushtaq Minhas said that journalists were protesting over the black laws including the PCO and Martial law imposed on November 3, last year.
The call of protest was given for November 5 because of deposed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s rally and address was announced on November 3, he said.
He said a dictator imposed curbs on media with the support of black laws. He (dictator) thought that he would also rule over the people, Mushtaq added.
Today, the situation was not different from the past as the present government too was proposing to restrict media, he further said.
We have a lot of expectation from the new democratic government, he said. He warned of a strong protest by the journalists’ bodies if curbs are imposed on media.
He asked the government to help implement wage board award and restore deposed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Ch. and other sacked judges.
Hamid Mir termed the suggestion of imposing curbs on media as foolish. He made it clear the lathi or bullet could never suppress the voice of the journalists.
Previous ruler who was also Chief of the Army Staff and strong from all aspects, could not suppress the media, he added.
Mazhar Abbas said that PFUJ raised the voice against sacking of Chief Justice and other judges. He said 85 percent journalists are still working without any job guarantee.
He urged to implement wage board award and said a meeting would be held from November 7-9 to decide future course of action regarding materializing the wage board award.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/6/2008
