PUJ vows to continue struggle for journalists’ rights

LAHORE : On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) and the Lahore Press Club reaffirmed their commitment to continue struggle against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and ensure the protection of journalists' economic rights.

During a ceremony held at the Lahore Press Club, a new "Journalist Alert" mobile application was also launched under the platform of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) for the safety and protection of journalists’ lives and rights. The event was chaired by Afzal Talib, Senior Vice President of Lahore Press Club, and attended by PUJ General Secretary Qamar Zaman Bhatti, senior journalists Deen Muhammad Dard, Salahuddin Butt, LPC Joint Secretary Imran Sheikh, PUJ Joint Secretary Sher Ali Khalti, Ejaz Mirza, and labour leaders including Hanif Ramay, Baba Sarwar, and Comrade Irfan.

A unanimous resolution was passed declaring the Peca Act as a severe attack on civil liberties and press freedom. It called for the immediate repeal of the Act and pledged joint struggle by journalists, labour unions, and civil society to safeguard press freedom.

Addressing the gathering, Afzal Talib said that the introduction of the Journalist Alert App under PFUJ would help enhance safety for journalists affiliated with press clubs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta. He lamented that journalists are still being abducted and threatened during democratic regimes. He appreciated PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari for launching the app in response to journalists’ concerns. He added that Peca aims to suppress freedom of the press and prevent journalists from reporting independently. PUJ General Secretary Qamar Zaman Bhatti stated that despite the democratic government, the public is facing curbs on freedom of expression and speech. He emphasised that snatching constitutional rights from citizens in a constitutional regime amounts to subverting the Constitution. He announced that journalists are prepared to stage a sit-in at the Parliament House in Islamabad and even launch a jail-bharo (fill-the-jails) movement to demand the repeal of Peca. On this occasion, PUJ Joint Secretary Sher Ali Khalti briefed participants on the Journalist Alert App, developed in collaboration with the UN Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights. LPC Joint Secretary Imran Sheikh said the app will assist journalists and photojournalists in addressing various professional challenges.