On May 13, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) paid tribute to journalists who faced persecution during the 1978 press freedom movement against General Ziaul Haq’s martial law, recognizing their sacrifices for free speech and press freedom.
“We salute the heroes of the Press Freedom Movement for rendering immense sacrifices in 1978 for freedom of press and free speech,” said a joint statement issued by PFUJ Acting President Khalid Khokhar and PFUJ Secretary General Arshad Ansari.
Marking the anniversary, the PFUJ recalled the flogging of Nasir Zaidi, Iqbal Jaffer, and Khawar Naim Hashmi at Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore. The three were sentenced by a military court to 10 lashes each and three months of imprisonment, and the punishment was carried out within an hour of the verdict.
“The PFUJ is indebted to all those journalists’ who had participated in that historic movement led by great journalist leaders Minhaj Barna and Nisar Osmani,” the statement said.
Advocate Syed Shafqat Ali Shah, a political and social leader, also paid tribute to journalists who endured imprisonment during the 1978 Press Freedom Movement, praising their courage and reaffirming that their sacrifices for freedom of expression will always be remembered.
