Journalists on Monday boycotted the Punjab Assembly proceedings in protest to a resolution passed against the media. Various journalist bodies (Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ), Lahore Press Club (LPC) and Press Gallery) also decided to continue boycott of the House proceedings till withdrawal of the resolution and an apology tendered by the legislators.
Journalists staged a sit-in at the stairs of Punjab Assembly, which was addressed by LPC President Sarmad Bashir, General Secretary Zia Ullah Khan Niaza, Vice President Amir Waqas, PUJ President Rai Hasnain Tahir, General Secretary Rana Azeem and Press Gallery President Zaheer Shehzad. They all condemned the resolution and they observed that not even the dictatorial regimes took such steps against the media.
They were of the view that politicians always betray the nation through their shameful acts and later criticise the media. "Journalists sacrificed for the restoration of democracy while the leaders escaped the country by striking a deal with dictator," they added. According to them, the Assembly should withdraw the resolution. The journalists would remain peaceful during their protest.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Chaudhry Zaheerud Din and PML-Q members tried to join the protest but they were denied to do so. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah Khan, Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan and PPP Parliamentary leader Raja Riaz tried to approach the journalists for negotiation, but failed.