Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) and Lahore Press Club (LPC) held a rally in relation to the “World Press Freedom Day” from PUJ office till Charing Cross on Monday. LPC President Sarmad Bashir said it was the right time for the journalists to get their rights and added that the media owners had to ensure the economic stability of their employees.
He said media owners should stop downsizing. He said that the supreme judiciary had to announce a “wage award” for the journalists who had been waiting for more than 10 years. He saluted the media representatives who had donated their lives for the freedom of the press. PUJ President Rana Azeem said media representatives fought for others but no one supported them in genuine issues such as down sizing, non payment of salaries, wage award, health insurance and other basic facilities.
He said a number of journalists in different media organizations faced non payment of the salary and were bound to commit suicide. All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajraan President Khalid Pervaiz announced to provide free of cost books for any education level to the PUJ and LPC members. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Information Central Secretary Umar Sarfraz Cheema said if their party got mandate in the federal assembly, they would raise voice in favour of the journalists.
All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation, Progressive Workers Federation (APNEC) Chairman Nasir Naqvi, Punjab Paramedics Alliance (PPA) President Malik Munir, students’ leaders from various political parties, Electronic Media Reporters Association (EMRA) President Khalid Mehmood Khalid, Young Doctors Association (YDAP) President Dr Rana Suhail and others participated in the rally.