By: Iqtidar Gilani

LAHORE — Speakers at a debate have lauded the role of media especially Nawa-i-Waqt in highlighting the issues of national importance and guiding the nation in difficult times.

Nawa-i-Waqt, The Nation and Waqt News jointly organised the discussion on the topic ‘Press freedom in Pakistan and the role played by Nawa-i-Waqt’ here at Hameed Nizami Hall on Monday in connection with World Press Freedom Day. Secretary General Jama’at-e-Islami Liaqat Baloch, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Ch Zaheerud Din, Secretary Supreme Court Bar Association Raja Zulqarnain, Central Leader Jama’at-ud-Da’awa Maulana Ameer Hamza and Secretary General PPP Human Rights Wing Munir Ahmed Khan participated in the discussion.

Referring to the crises faced by the nation, the speakers opined that it was a historic juncture that demanded from the media to present a true picture and guide the public toward right direction.
Paying rich tributes to Majid Nizami, Liaquat Baloch said Nawa-i-Waqt had played a positive and leading role in protecting ideology of Pakistan.

He said this leading institution played really good role during the time when some vested interests were raising finger against two-nation theory. He said the role of Nawa-I-Waqt and Majid Nizami would be remembered in the days to come.

He said Nawa-i-Waqt stood up against every dictatorship for which it deserved applause. He said this prestigious institution had always spoken the truth and condemned target killing of Akbar Bugti and military operation. He said Nawa-i-Waqt shown courage and raised voice for the recovery of missing persons and release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Appreciating the media persons for performing duties with zeal and dedication despite all odds, he said about 370 newsmen lost their lives while over 700 were tortured or put behind bars but they acted bravely for which the entire community deserved salute from the nation. Appreciating Nawa-i-Waqt for effectively raising the water issue, he said it was a matter of life and death for the nation as Indian water aggression was aimed at converting Pakistan into a desert. He said Majid Nizami forced the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to carry out nuclear tests as India was hurling threats while the world community was pressurising Pakistan to restrain from tests. He said those talking about entertainment should learn from Majid Nizami that how Islamic values could be saved.

Ch Zaheerud Din said Nawa-i-Waqt had always spoken the truth and published news in its true sense and presented its views on separate pages. He said media was first pillar of the society. He said persons from media lost more lives than in any other institution.

He said once again the deprived segment of the society was looking toward media with hope. Munir Ahmed Khan said Majid Nizami and Nawa-i-Waqt fought bravely against all dictators, from Ayub Khan to Pervaiz Musharraf. He said this prestigious institution played important role in each and every movement for restoration and strengthening of democracy in the country. He said media persons rendered sacrifices with exception of few who took benefits from dictators. He said the PPP believed in freedom of press but a group was running one sided and baseless stories against the party leadership.

Ameer Hamza said the history would remember Hameed Nizami and Majid Nizami as men of character and courageous journalists. He said Nawa-i-Waqt was standing as Himaliya despite the fact that a number of renowned writers had left with the passage of time. Terming Nawa-i-Waqt as an asset of Islamic world, he said the institution had played a pivotal role in strengthening of Pakistan. He said Nawa-i-Waqt played an important role in keeping Kashmir issue alive whenever the rulers put it in back burners. He said the country was facing serious water crises due to wrong policies of the rulers. He stressed upon immediate construction of Kalabagh Dam for compensating previous mistakes. He said there were reports that 80 per cent money of Jews was involved in thermal power projects.

Raja Zulqarnain said media played a major and decisive role in the movement for restoration of judiciary. He said Nawa-i-Waqt had its own and unique status. He said the country was facing serious internal and external challenges and it was responsibility of independent and powerful media to present a true picture before the nation.

He said those internal and external elements involved in abduction of scientists and killing of Khalid Khawaja were carrying out bomb blasts in the country. He said these elements killed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as he was making sincere efforts for strengthening Pakistan. He said besides these elements, media should also expose those making non-issues into issues.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/4/2010