Shaukat Ali
Kotli, (Parliament Times) : World Press Freedom Day on 3rd May, observed by the journalist’s community and Information Department at Kotli on Friday calling the Indian government to honor the freedom of the press and Media in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Press Information Department of AJK Government district Kotli organized a “Walk and Panel Discussion “ to highlight the freedom of press situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants of the discussion showed deep concerns over the deteriorating situation of human rights and freedom of expression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, particularly after the Indian illegal steps taken on August 5, 2019.
“Occupied Kashmir has become an Army cantonment after August 5, 2019, every voice has been muted by the Indian Army and freedom of expression banned,” said Tariq Lone a senior journalist.
On the occasion, Tributes were paid to those who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties.
President of District Club Shahnawaz Butt was the chief guest of the “Discussion” while Assistant Director Information Shaukat Ali Malik presided over the meeting.
General Secretary District Press Club Rizwan Qureshi, Vice President District Press Club Shehbaz Hydari, President Electronic Media Association Sardar Imanaz Khan, Former General Secretary District Press Club Tariq Lone, Former Vice President District Press Club Zamrad Chaudhry, Anzamam Chaudhry, Abdul Qadir. , Ehtishamul Haq and others were among the participants.
Rizwan Qureshi paid tribute to the services of the founder President of Press Club Alhaj Muhammad Manzoor Qureshi, Founder General Secretary of Press Club Latif Jafari, Founder Member Muhammad Bashir Qureshi, Founder Member Zaheer Hasan Javed, Founder Member and Former President Union of Journalists Mumtaz Shamim, Senior Journalist Irfan Qureshi, Former President Nikyal Press Club Abrar Shah Nikyal, Sikandar Kamran. , Syed Ashraf Shah Chadhoi, Mahmood Bukhari Sahansa, Raja Sajjad Khoirta, Chaudhry Maqsood Khoirta, Mohammad Hussain Azad Khoirta, Gurdawar Mohammad Hussain Khoirta, Syed Muqbal Gilani Sirsawah, Haji Salim Qureshi, Afzal Sabri, Altaf Shakir and wished senior journalist Kashif Shabbir a speedy recovery.
Sardar Amanaz expressed his views on the problems faced by journalists associated with electronic media and demanded to solve them. President of District Press Club Shahnawaz Butt welcomed holding the Panel discussion on the occasion of World Journalism Day and said that freedom of the press is not possible without solving all the problems of journalists related to the media industry in Azad Kashmir. He said that journalists from all over Azad Kashmir are providing significant services in the field of journalism. At the end of the discussion, prayers were offered for national integrity development and independence of Occupied Kashmir from India and martyrs.