HYDERABAD, June 7: Journalists across the Sindh province observed protest day on Thursday against the Pemra (amendment) ordinance, restrictions on private TV channels, registration of a case against reporters in Islamabad and issuance of death threats to media men.
Leaders of civil society and lawyers also took part in the rallies to express solidarity with journalists.
In Hyderabad, journalists staged a huge rally, which started from the press club and terminated at the district council building.
The president and general secretary of the club, Shahid Shaikh and Jafar Memon, respectively, leaders of Pakistan and Sindh Bar Councils and District Bar Association Yousuf Leghari, Fazal Qadir Memon, Abdul Sattar Qazi, Allah Bachayo Soomro, Basheer Gujjar, Abdul Aziz Shaikh and Noorul Haq Qureshi led the rally.
Trade union leaders Qamoos Gul Khattak and Abdul Latif Nizamani, MMA leaders Abdul Waheed Qureshi, Abdul Rehman Rajput and Maulana Taj Mohammad Nahiyoon, PPP leaders Zahid Bhurgari and Amanullah Siyal and leaders of PKMAP, SNF, STP, SNP, Awami Tehrik, Sunni Tehrik, SUP, Shia Ulema Council, PML-N, PTI and PPP-SB also participated in the rally with a large number of workers.
The rally adopted a declaration demanding withdrawal of the ordinance and condemning death threats to the secretary general of PFUJ Mazhar Abbas, Zarrar Khan and Asif.
The declaration called for an end to military dictatorship and complete freedom as guaranteed by the Constitution. Lawyers had boycotted the courts for the whole day.
TANDO ALLAHYAR: Journalists, lawyers, political activists and trade union leaders staged a token hunger strike outside the press club against government’s new curbs on media.
Leaders Mian Ali Mohammad Walhani, Asif Khwaja and Altaf Jiskani strongly criticised the new restrictions and demanded that Pemra (amendment) ordinance should be repealed.
THATTA: Journalists and leaders of political parties and social workers led by Yar Mohammad Jalalani, MPA Sassui Palijo and Awami Tehrik leader Abdul Qadir Ranto staged a procession, which started from the press club and terminated at the press club after marching on the National Highway.
Sassui Palijo slammed restrictions on the press and rejected Pemra (amendment) ordinance. She said that it was impossible for the government to put any curbs on the independence of judiciary and press.
NAWABSHAH: A large number of journalists staged a demonstration outside the press club and slammed the federal law minister’s statement that press was not the fourth pillar of the state.
Led by secretary of the press club Zulfiqar Memon, Mohammad Aslam Munir, Arshad Munir and Ali Mohammad Shah the protesters said that the minister was making useless statements against journalists. First the government attacked offices of private news channels and then journalists started receiving death threats.
They termed the ordinance another attack on media and said that the government's claims about free media had proved wrong.
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Journalists in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Bhirya, Kandiaro, Tharushah and Mithiani hoisted black flags on the press club buildings and wore black armbands in protest against the new Pemra ordinance.
They termed empowering Pemra to take action against TV channels, confiscate equipment and seal premises as a "black law". Lawyers also joined the journalists and staged a march on the Court Road.
BADIN: Journalists observed a black day and hoisted black flags on the press club building.
A rally led by Abdul Majeed Mallah, Ghulam Mustafa Jamali, Abdul Latif Zargar and Abdul Shakoor Memon was brought out from the press club.
The protesters condemned what they called imposition of black laws on media and demanded immediate withdrawal of amendments to Pemra ordinance.
SHIKARPUR: Members of Shikarpur press club staged a rally, which started from the press club and terminated at the Lakhi Gate tower chowk where the protesters staged a demonstration.
The protesters marched on different roads of the city and demanded withdrawal of amendments to Pemra ordinance. They wore black armbands and hoisted black flags on the press club.
MIRPURKHAS: Journalists observed a black day and staged a demonstration at the Post Office Chowk carrying banners and placards and raising slogans against the government.
The leaders condemned the ban on private TV channels and amendments to the Pemra ordinance. They deplored that the government was trying to gag media.
Activists of different political parties also joined the protest to express solidarity with protesting journalists.
JACOBABAD: Journalists led by Syed Nazar Abbas and Parvez Abro staged a rally, which started from the press club and returned to its starting point after marching on main roads of the city.
The leaders slammed restrictions on the media and amendments to Pemra ordinance demanding complete freedom of press.
DADU: Journalists from Dadu, Sehwan, Khudabad, Phulji, Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Johi staged a rally here which marched on different roads of the city before staging a demonstration outside the press club.
The protesters were led by Ghous Bux Jhatial, Nizamuddin Shaikh, Saeed Ahmed Memon, Abdul Fatah Shaikh and Anwar Azad Kandhro. Social workers and lawyers also took part in the rally.
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