ISLAMABAD: Journalists’ fraternity lodged its strong protest over
harassment by political parties and pressure groups and launched its
boycott of N.A proceedings on Monday, here.
The journalists
boycotted N.A proceedings, which started an hour late, but were finally
pacified by federal interior and information ministers, Rehman Malik
and Firdous Aashiq Awan and ANP senator Zahid Khan, who personally
visited gallery to pacify journalists’ reservations and concerns.
On
the occasion, the convener of Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA)
Siddiqui Sajid briefed the federal ministers about the problems, faced
by journalists.
Speaking on the occasion, federal information
minister accepted the facts regarding these problems faced by
journalists, declaring that any attack on journalists anywhere would be
considered /deemed as direct attack on the fourth pillar of State.
Stressing
on carrying all democratic norms and ideals forward, she urged on all
political parties to respect and tolerate journalism, while she also
announced forming a joint committee to alleviate all reservations and
concerns of journalists.
Meanwhile addressing the House during
a point-of-order, MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader Haider Abbas Rizvi
strictly rejected any connection of MQM with the murder of reporter
Wali Babar and dismissal of anchorperson of a private TV channel.
He
said that murders of Wali Babar were under arrest, and under trail, and
if proved guilty should definitely be punished, irrespective of any
affiliations.
The MQM leader also rejected any association,
dealings with any private TV channel , and said that his party had
always supported media and would continue to do so.
He also expressed MQM’s complete solidarity with the notion of independence of media. Online
