Journalists of twin-cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad continued their protests on Monday against the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly and demanded of the Punjab government to withdraw it forthwith.
The protesters were also joined by lawyers, politicians including PML-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, PPP leaders Dr Israr Shah and State Minister for Industries, Ayatullah Durani and PPP Sherpao leader and former Minister for Information, Anisa Zaib Tahirkhaili and others to show solidarity with journalists.
The journalists also demanded of the Punjab government to apologise for the shameful act and immediately withdrew the resolution. The demonstration was staged under the auspices of the National Press Club and on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and decided to continue till the resolution is withdrawn.
President National Press Club, Afzal Butt said those who think that they would gag media should also think that it was not the era of 70s and 80 as there was proactive media and judiciary and they would not allow any one to go beyond certain limit.
He said that the journalists rendered sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and the PFUJ never joined hands with any dictator for vested interests. PML-N leader, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi admitted that journalists rendered many sacrifices for democracy and rule of law and had been fighting for rights of the masses even during dictatorial regimes.
He said that the passage of resolution against media in Punjab Assembly showed political immaturity. It is the media, he said, that ensured the restoration of democracy in the country. "No matter the assemblies existed during the tenures of every dictator, but these would sustain only if proved themselves to be protectors of the people," he remarked.
Every party should accept its mistake while passing the resolution and should condemn the act, he opined. President Rawalpindi Bar Association, Khalid Wahid Anjum said that journalists forced Pervez Musharraf to leave the government as a result democracy was restored. He lamented that media fought and restored democracy and the elected assemblies tried to gag media.
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