ISLAMABAD
The Senate on Monday assured journalists to enact legislation for of their welfare and protection of journalists and also formed a committee in this regard.
The assurance came from Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq and Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan when they came to press gallery to express integrity with the journalists on the issue of murder attempt on TV journalist Hamid Mir.
After the House started its proceedings, the journalists walked out of the press gallery to protest against the attack on Mir. Both leaders of the House and Opposition agreed with their demands and assured them of enacting legislation.
Haq said the House would only discuss the issue of attack on Hamid Mir and then adjourn as a gesture of solidarity. Furthermore, he and Ahsan also agreed to form a special committee for effective legislation for the welfare and security of journalists.
On the issue of registration of an FIR in Mir’s attack case, he said the provincial government was already looking into the matter. “His [Hamid Mir] health will hopefully improve within a day or so and then the police will be in better position to register an FIR.”
Ahsan said for registering an FIR, the Sindh government was waiting improvement in Hamid Mir’s health. “If he will nominate any persons, their names will be included in the FIR, otherwise it will be registered against unknown assailants.”
On these assurances, the journalists ended the boycott.
Earlier, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists President Afzal Butt raised the concerns of journalist community regarding their security and welfare as well as fulfilment of the commitments of successive governments.
“We demand concrete measures for our welfare and security,” Butt said.
He reminded the visiting politicians of the sacrifices the journalists had been rendering for democracy. “But, neither our economic problems are considered properly nor our security is ensured. This regrettable situation has today forced us to boycott the proceedings.”
Butt also demanded to register a first information report (FIR) and bring to justice the culprits at the earliest.
Afterwards, the House also agreed with the proposals discussed by the leaders with the journalist community, except the five-member committee as those parties whose members were not proposed for it, had also demanded representation.
Therefore, Senate Deputy Chairman Sabir Baloch gave the parties some time to finalize the names for committee meant to prepare laws for journalists’ security and welfare as well as fulfilment of commitments.
Speaking in the House, Raja Zafarul Haq described the attack on Hamid Mir as “heart rending” and “grave” and reiterated the government’s commitment to protect and secure the journalist community.
“We have assured the media persons of the effective measures for protection of their professional rights and the proposed committee shall work in collaboration with the media persons.”
