Latest news with #KUJ
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh govt striving to resolve issues facing journalists: Sharjeel
KARACHI: A delegation of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), and Sukkur Union of Journalists, led by renowned journalist and PFUJ Federal Executive Council Member Mazhar Abbas along with PFUJ Secretary Finance Lala Asad Pathan, called on Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Senior journalists including KUJ President Tahir Hussain Khan, Sardar Liaquat, Saleem Sehto, Javed Jatoi, and other KUJ office bearers were also present at the meeting. During the meeting, the delegation of journalists invited Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon to attend the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The three-day celebrations will be held at the historic Khaliq Dina Hall in Karachi. The delegation also informed the minister that the three-day meeting of the PFUJ Federal Executive Council will take place in Karachi from August 1 to August 3. A special session is scheduled for August 2 at Khaliq Dina Hall, the site where PFUJ was founded 75 years ago. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon assured the union representatives of his government's full commitment and support. On the occasion, he remarked that journalism and democracy are inseparable, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh government has always taken significant steps to promote press freedom. He added that the Sindh government is making every possible effort to address the issues faced by journalists. 'The sacrifices of the journalist community for the cause of democracy are historic and unforgettable. The welfare of journalists remains a top priority for the Sindh government,' he said. On the occasion, Sharjeel Inam Memon also briefed the delegation on ongoing projects in the health, transport, energy, and housing sectors. He said that the benefits of the Sindh government's initiatives in these areas are reaching the people. During the meeting, the delegation of journalists appreciated the Sindh government's development projects, noting that the measures taken by the government are providing relief to the people. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani journalists protest Israel's bombing of Iranian state TV
KARACHI: Dozens of Pakistani journalists protested in Karachi on Tuesday against Israel's move to bomb Iran's state-run television channel this week, accusing Tel Aviv of deliberately targeting journalists to silence their voices. Footage of anchor Sahar Emami went viral on Monday in which she can be seen denouncing Israel at the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building before the live broadcast was interrupted by a huge blast. Shortly after, smoke and debris filled the screen. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) confirmed that Israel's strike on the IRIB building killed Nima Rajabpour, editor-in-chief of Khabar TV, and Masoumeh Azimi, a secretary at the state-run television channel. Israel and Iran have been targeting each other with missiles since Friday, when the Jewish state attacked Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership. Dozens of Pakistani journalists protested the move outside the Karachi Press Club. The protest was organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ). Journalists carried placards inscribed with messages condemning Israel, shouting slogans expressing support for the people of Gaza and Iran. 'It [Israel] has assassinated anyone across the world who tried to unmask its true face, anyone who tried to speak the truth,' PFUJ Secretary-General A.H. Khanzada told Arab News, accusing the Jewish state of killing journalists from Gaza to Iran. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has counted 178 journalists killed in Gaza by Israel since October 2023, making it the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded. Khanzada urged the IFJ to redefine its global parameters of press freedom. 'If these are not corrected, many problems will arise — and these problems will affect the entire world,' he said, calling the response from global media organizations to the attack as 'insufficient.' Aamir Latif, a former Karachi Press Club secretary, agreed that Israel was systematically silencing journalists. 'Israel is not in a business to tell the truth,' Latif said. 'In fact, it is in a business to block the truth. That is why it is targeting journalists whether it is Gaza or whether it is Iran,' he added. Latif lamented Israel's moves to target hospitals, media workers and other protected entities in the Middle East, saying they were directly violating international laws. Veteran journalist and former PFUJ secretary-general Mazhar Abbas called the Iranian TV bombardment a 'direct assault on freedom of expression.' 'The figure [of journalists being killed in Palestine] is nearly around 150, which is even far bigger than the journalists killed in the Second World War,' Abbas told Arab News. KUJ President Nasrullah Chaudhry said Pakistani journalists stood in solidarity with their Iranian counterparts. 'Since October, we have documented Israeli war crimes against media in Gaza,' Chaudhry said. 'This is part of the same pattern. 'The media of Pakistan in general and Karachi in particular firmly stands against Israel aggression and assaults on journalists,' he told protesters. The protest ended with Pakistani journalists pledging to continue highlighting what participants called the 'systematic targeting of truth tellers' by Israel across multiple conflict zones.
Express Tribune
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Media fraternity up in arms against PECA amendments
KARACHI: The joint action committee of media bodies staged a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday in response to an appeal from the Pakistan Federation of Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against a recent amendment in the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Representatives from various media organisations, civil society groups, trade unions, lawyers' groups and teachers joined and supported the protest. The PECA, a law enacted in 2016, was passed by lower and upper houses, aimed at addressing cybercrime and regulating electronic communication in Pakistan. It was meant to combat online offences such as hacking, data theft, and cyberbullying. Many journalists and media organisations have raised concerns regarding its implications on press freedom and freedom of expression. "The government has to learn the lessons as it was earlier used against the same party, which had passed the law in a haste," commented Mazhar Abbas, a senior member of PFUJ. Prominent figures, including journalists, media owners, editors, and workers from organisations such as PFUJ, Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and others addressed the protesters. Among those who spoke on the occasion, included KUJ President Tahir Hassan Khan, senior PFUJ leaders Saeed Sarbazi Lala Asad, Imtiaz Khan Faran, Azhar Abbas, trade unions leader Nasir Mansoor, Prof. Tauseef, Rahman Korani of Karachi Bar Association and Athar Qazi. The speakers condemned the government's approach to media regulation and passage of the amendment in a haste without consulting the stakeholders. KUJ leader Imtiaz Khan Faran highlighted that special laws are being enacted to control the media landscape. He questioned why the government had not engaged in dialogue with media bodies regarding these changes, labeling it a conspiracy against working journalists. Mazhar Abbas characterized the situation as a 'civilian martial law'. He urged the joint action committee to advocate for the repeal of PECA, stating that they would not compromise on their rights. Azhar Abbas called for unity among media organisations to demonstrate collective strength to the government. PBA representative Qazi Ather reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding press freedom, stating that they would not allow their voices to be suppressed. Lala Asad announced plans for a long march to Islamabad as part of their ongoing struggle against oppressive laws. KUJ President Tahir Hassan Khan reiterated that journalists' bodies would not accept what he termed a 'Draconian Law'.
