RIBJA vows to continue protesting until demands are met

Islamabad:      (Parliament Times)   Rawalpindi Islamabad Bureau Journalists Association (RIBJA) has decided to continue its protest till the restoration of 25% quota allotted for regional newspapers, fair implementation of client-media policy, and an end to centralized media policy.

The decision to this effect was taken during an extraordinary meeting held under the joint chairmanship of RIBJA President Sardar Shaukat Mahmood and Nisar Ahmed. Besides senior leaders of the association the meeting was specially attended by members of Joint Action Committee. Participants of the meeting vowed to continue their struggle till the fulfillment of demands including full payment of pending dues to the regional newspapers. They reiterated their commitment to continue the movement till the achievement of its objectives.

Addressing the meeting, the RIBJA President Sardar Shaukat Mehmood said the movement that was launched a month ago right in front of the Press Information Department (PID) would continue till the government fully approves its charter of demand.

Mehmood said that strangulating the regional media and rendering thousands of media workers jobless was a heinous crime and a flagrant violation of the constitution of Pakistan. Despite Prime Minister Imran Khan’s instructions to take notice and resolve issues, Mehmood pointed out that some ‘anti-media elements in the government’ were playing a villain’s role. He, however, maintained that media organizations and journalists would never give up. He announced that after due consultation with other elected journalists’ bodies, a protest demonstration would be staged in front of the Parliament House and the Prime Minister’s House. However, he said that the protests in front of the PID would continue.

Mehmood lamented that there was no major progress in the talks so far despite the government’s assurances and promises to approve RIBJA’s demands. “In such a situation, we have no option but to stage a fierce protest in front of the Parliament House and the Prime Minister’s House”, he added.

Speaking on the meeting, Nisar Ahmed, said, “We will continue our struggle till our demands are approved. We will work together for the rights of the workers.

Of those who were present in the meeting included Asif Malik, Fayyaz Chaudhry, Shamim Ara, Shaukat Sati, Raziq Mahmood Bhatti, Farooq Ahmad Qurban Chaudhry, Waheed Rasool, Naeem Qureshi, Sardar Shahid Hameed, Naveed Malik, Mohsin Mubashir, Ejaz Abbasi, Raja Riaz, Atiq Khan, Yasir Janjua, Babar Hussain, Azhar Hussain, Jawad Golra, Atif Khan, Noman, Bashir, Kifayatullah Khan, and Waqar Ahmed.