return. Our office has contacted Media Cell in NDMA, and Ms Reema Zubairi of the Media Cell informed that they are trying to help them.
The stuck up journalists are repeatedly calling the PCP for their rescue. In view of the above, I seek your personal indulgence for rescue of the stuck up journalists on top priority basis.”
The letter from Rana Shamim did the trick as Pakistan Embassy in Khatmandu acted swiftly to help the stranded journalists. While talking to The News, chairman of the Press Council of Pakistan said that PCP can initiate inquiry into the issue if a formal complaint is lodged with it. He maintained that the two young journalists have safely reached home, and he has held a meeting with both of them.
He said if the inquiry against any department hurdling the journalists duties is proved, that department will be fined and the recovered money is distributed among the aggrieved party.
Ahmad Kamal, the spokesman of NDMA when contacted said that neither any organisation nor any person intentionally mismanaged the schedule of media team as journalists of other television channels were taken and brought back as per schedule.
He maintained that the said two journalists were from the print media, therefore, they decided to stay in Nepal instead of coming back in the next flight and then a few flights were delayed for one reason or another.
“Some families were scheduled to come back in the C-130 on June 8 that is why this all happened but even then the NDMA is ready to compensate the journalists,” said the spokesman. He mentioned that it was NDMA who coordinated with the Pakistan Embassy in Nepal so that the journalists may return safely. He said that NDMA wants cordial relationship with the media and nothing was done intentionally as there were huge relief activities being undertaken by various organisations of the world, and no one ignored any journalist wilfully.
Moreover, other NDMA officials also disclosed that many letters were written to the organisation operating the flights to manage safe return of the stranded journalists. The officials maintained that one Col Abbas of the NDMA was helping the journalists in Nepal after the said episode.