The Presidents of Press Clubs from all 25 districts of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa and Tribal Union of Journalists on Tuesday demanded the government to ensure due protection of media workers and facilitate their access to information. The demand was made in a conference arranged by South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) in collaboration with Peshawar Press Club. KP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain and President Awami National Party KP Senator Afrasiab Khattak attended the concluding session as guest speakers. The closed-door session was chaired by senior journalist Rahim Ullah Yousafzai and addressed by Central Secretary SAFMA General Imtiaz Alam, Secretary SAFMA Pakistan Sarmad Manzoor, President SAFMA Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa/FATA Shamim Shahid and Secretary General Ms Farzana Ali.
While stressing on early steps for removal of all hurdles before professional responsibilities, the conference also urged the government to ensure due health and insurance facilities to journalists beside wages. Attendees also demanded allocation of funds in Annual Development Program for Press Clubs at district level. During the closed-door session, the journalists pointed out their problems and hardships, lamenting that “militants, law enforcing agencies and executives are influencing our professional responsibilities”. They claimed that stakeholders dictate the choice of reporting on terrorist activities in the area. The alleged the involvement of ISPR officers in media. Similarly, the office bearers of Press Clubs said that besides militants, high-ups of law-enforcing and secret agencies, tribal-religious groups and people from land, drug and timber mafia doled out threats to lives and properties of media persons.
Journalists at the conference expressed their gratitude to SAFMA and Peshawar Press Club for assembling the representatives of all press clubs at a single forum. A committee with President Peshawar Press Club as Chairman was formed for evolving a strategy to address genuine needs of media persons. Assured the media of the government’s whole-hearted support, Information Minister KP Mian Iftikhar said, “The government is determined to support press clubs.” Referring to ongoing political tensions, Mian Iftikhar said that all of the institutions must respect each other as the future of the country depends on democracy. He said that people have experienced military dictatorship for more than 35 years and such dictatorial regimes are responsible for plunging the country into irreversible crises.
“It’s high time for democracy-loving, patriotic Pakistanis to defeat all those who are working against democracy,” said Mian Iftikhar, adding that the 18th amendment is a silent revolution and its proper implementation will not only help resolve Baluchistan’s crises but also help in strengthening democracy. Expressing pride over the present government’s firm determination to restore peace and stability, Mian Iftikhar said, “This government has not only declared war on terror but is also capable of eliminating it.”
