A delegation from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) met with key political leaders, including the Speaker of the National Assembly, to demand effective legislation to address the issues faced by journalists and media workers.
Islamabad (News Reporter) Responding to a call from the PFUJ, a delegation from the PFUJ and RIUJ held meetings with Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and other important political leaders at the Parliament House, urging Parliament to play an effective role in addressing the media crisis and the economic and professional issues faced by journalists and media workers in the country.
Led by PFUJ President Afzal Butt, former PFUJ Secretary General Mazhar Abbas, and RIUJ President Asif Bashir Chaudhry, the journalists’ delegation met with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai in their chambers. The delegation informed the political leaders about the difficulties faced by journalists and media workers, emphasizing the importance of Parliament’s role in tackling the challenges of the new era.
The delegation stated that journalists and media workers are suffering greatly under the current economic conditions, with many media houses failing to pay salaries for several months, while a large number of journalists are facing forced layoffs. The economic crisis faced by media organizations is also affecting the employment and fundamental rights of journalists and media workers.
The delegation urged Parliament to enact effective legislation and practical measures to ensure the rights of journalists and media workers, job security, and timely payment of salaries. Members of Parliament were asked to highlight the issues of journalists and media workers in the National Assembly and to play their role in resolving these issues by establishing effective communication between the government, media owners, and relevant institutions.
During the meetings, the delegation also presented a joint statement from the National Media Convention to the members of Parliament, drawing attention to the proposals and demands made in the statement regarding solutions to the media crisis.
Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai assured the delegation that Parliament would do its utmost to address the challenges faced by journalists and media workers. The political leaders also pledged cooperation regarding sustainable solutions to the economic issues of media organizations and the protection of journalists’ rights.
The delegation included RIUJ General Secretary Raja Bashir Usmani, Finance Secretary Izzhar Khan Niazi, National Press Club Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi, former National Press Club Secretary Nair Ali, members of the RIUJ Executive Body Ali Akhtar, Ghufran Chishti, Farhan Khan, Muhammad Zareef, Shah Ali, and Dost Muhammad, National Press Club Governing Body member Nawabzada Khurshid Rana Usmani, MB Soomro, and others.
The journalists’ delegation expressed its commitment to continue the struggle for press freedom, freedom of expression, the economic and professional rights of journalists, and job security for media workers.