Speakers at a seminar regarding "Journalists' Safety and Security" called for proactive measures for protection and security of working journalists, especially hailing for war-infested tribal agencies. They said that journalists are facing severe life threats and challenges while performing their professional obligations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
The participants acknowledged that journalists rendered sacrifices for establishment of peace in war-torn Khyber-Paktunkhwa and FATA. The seminar held under auspices of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter here at Peshawar Press Club on Friday. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister, Bashir Ahmad Khan Bilour, was the chief guest on the occasion. President of SAFMA Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Shamim Shahid, presided over the seminar.
The keynote speakers included President Peshawar Press Club, Saiful Islam Saifi, President Khyber Union of Journalists, Arshad Aziz Malik, tribal journalists, members of civil society organisations and others. The participants stressed that government should take proactive steps for safety and security of journalists in this region. They said that the situation could be more precarious in the wake of fresh waves of terrorism, adding all issues should be addressed through political means. The participants suggested that dialogue is the only solution to uprooting prolonged militancy and insurgency in this part of the region.
Shamim Shahid, provincial President of SAFMA said that all stakeholders should play their role for the establishment of everlasting peace and stability in this region. He informed that more than 17 journalists have fallen prey to terrorism throughout the world out of which 10 belonged to this region.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Khan Bilour while addressing on the occasion said that media have played vital role for restoration of peace and elimination of terrorism. He said terrorists use different tactics to target journalists and general masses.He said that situation is still precarious, but 40 percent terrorism has been eliminated due to government's efforts. He said the region has suffered a lot in the three decades' long war imposed by others.
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