Pakistan

Top media bodies decry denial of people’s right to information

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Say coverage ban is tantamount to denying right to information.
Newspapers, news channels facing several challenges, they say.
Media organisations demand CJP, PM take notice of the situation.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) have expressed concern over denying the people right to information by suppressing the freedom of press.

In a joint statement on Thursday, the media organisations regretted the decisions of court banning coverage of important cases including the cipher case. They said the restraint was surprising.

They said the coverage ban was nothing more than denying the right of people to information. “The newspapers and news channels are facing several challenges including pressure from State institutions, illegal and undeclared censorship, insistence upon propagation of material of liking and ban on coverage of political activities and court proceedings”, they said.

They said that in this suffocating environment, judiciary was the only hope for relief, and added the situation would worsen if relief was not granted. An environment of fear has been created by the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra) and the State institutions while illegal and undeclared restrictions are imposed every now and then, which in unacceptable, the statement maintained.

The media organisations demanded Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Caretaker PM take notice of the situation and take every possible action to ensure freedom of expression. They vowed to do whatever is needed for the press freedom and all possible legal steps would be taken for the cause. Consultations with other stakeholders were being started, they said.

Business

SFD and Pakistan Sign Two Deals Totaling $1.61BLN

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Two agreements totaling $1.61 billion have been inked by Pakistan and the Saudi Fund for Development to improve their bilateral economic cooperation.

Entertainment

‘Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan’ is a new song teased by ISPR for Solidarity Day

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

A new anthem, “Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan,” was issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday (tomorrow) in honor of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Every year on February 5, Kashmir Solidarity Day is commemorated to show solidarity with the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Renowned musician Ahmed Jahanzeb sings the song, which sends a powerful message of solidarity and dedication to the liberation fighters of Held Kashmir.

Imran Raza wrote the words, while Irfan Saleem and Kamran Khan composed the music.

The song was composed especially to commemorate the momentous day and to reaffirm support for the courageous and tenacious people of Kashmir, who are fighting for their right to self-determination, as guaranteed by the documents of united nations

Latest News

PM Visits NA Speaker’s Home: Pakistani Economic Data Points to Improvement: Shehbaz

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

“Improving economic indicators and growing confidence of international investors and financial institutions is a welcome sign,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remarked.
When the Prime Minister visited Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s home in Lahore, he stated that the provinces and the federation are working together for the public’s welfare.
Shazia Marri, Syed Khurshid Shah, and Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, were also present.
The Deputy Speaker was also congratulated by the Prime Minister on the marriage of his son.
Also discussed were opinions regarding the nation’s general political situation.