PFUJ to launch countrywide protest for arrest of journalist’s killers

SUKKUR: Sindh Action Committee of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Sunday announced nationwide protest on January 19 against delay in arrest of the killers of journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar.

The PFUJ leaders also hinted at launching “court arrest” movement in Sindh if murderers were not brought to justice. Central General Secretary of PFUJ Arshad Ansari addressed the Sindh Journalists Convention in Sukkur Press Club on Saturday, and lamented that despite the passage of 153 days, the killers have not been arrested.

He said black flags will be hoisted on the press clubs all over Pakistan, adding protest demonstrations will be held and hunger strike camps set up outside the press clubs across the country on January 25.

Sindh Action Committee convener Mazhar Abbas said there would be a nationwide hunger strike on January 25 and it would become a nationwide movement. He said journalists have neither financial security nor life security. He demanded the killers’ arrest, reminding the state of its responsibility.

PFUJ leader Lala Rehman said the martyrdom of Jan Muhammad Mahar had united the journalists of the whole country. He said the IGP and Home Minister were misrepresenting the Caretaker Chief Minister regarding action against the murderers. “We demand that the Home Minister and IGP Sindh be removed,” Lala added.

PFUJ Secretary Finance Lala Asad Pathan said, “We raise voice for the truth. We are accountable to the people and subject to the constitution and laws. We are prisoners of conscience.”

PPP’s central leader Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah addressed the convention and expressed solidarity with journalists. He said the PPP leadership had struggled for democracy in the country and promised arrest of the killers if PPP comes to power.

Leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Maulana Asadullah Bhutto said that journalists were killed but they did not bow to anyone. PPP leader Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, addressing the convention, said that the PPP leadership stands by journalists on the issue of Jan Muhammad Mahar’s murder.

PFUJ Vice President Khurshid Abbasi, Iqbal Mallah, Asif Lodhi, Shoukat Noonari and others also addressed the convention. Journalists from across Sindh attended the convention.