Multan Union of Journalists (MUJ) organised a reference to pay homage to great leader and founder of PFUJ Minhaj Barna here on Sunday.
Addressing the condolence reference in Multan Press Club Razi-uddin Razi, Amjad Bukhari, Dr Sahauddin, Rasheed Arshad Salimi, Kaswar Razi, Aamer Hussaini Suhail Javed highlighted the services of the deceased Minhaj Barna rendered to the cause of journalist's profession which he always held principles above every considerations and never bowed down before dictator.
They said that Barna had always fought against black laws during martial law of Ziaul Haq but never budged before the dictator hence maintained sanctity of the pen which he used to promote democratic values in the country.
Paying tribute to Minhaj Barna they said the deceased repelled dictatorship even if it was cloaked in democracy, as he wanted to see democracy prevailing in the country in its purest form. The death of Barna, they said, has closed a chapter in journalism. The death of veteran journalist, poet and trade unionist Minhaj Barna reminds us of the painstaking efforts made by people like him to secure freedom of media in Pakistan, they said.
The speakers said the late Barna was deeply influenced by the movement of freedom of speech from the days of his youth and was active not only in high-quality journalism but also in campaigning for the rights of journalists as a union leader.
"The Pakistani media fraternity has lost a key champion of media rights," they added. They said Barna's demise not only signified the loss of an icon in the media industry but also the loss of a moderate voice, which could not be silenced even during the most trying times of the nation's history.