‘Sindh police legally obligated to implement CPJMP decisions’

The Commission for the Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners (CPJMP) on Thursday expressed concerns over the Sindh police not implementing the commission’s decisions.

A CPJMP meeting chaired by Aijaz Ahmed Memon at the Sindh Archives discussed the challenges faced by journalists in the province, and ways to address them. Particular focus was given to cases involving journalists Nasrullah Gadani, Jan Muhammad Mahar and Haider Mastoi from Sukkur Division, and the recent murder of journalist Allah Dino Shar from Khairpur.

The commission had earlier termed the Sukkur police reports on Mahar’s and Mastoi’s cases unsatisfactory. Then a letter was sent to the Sindh police chief requesting that a representative officer from Sukkur Division be nominated to brief the CPJMP in its next meeting. However, no Sindh police representative showed up.

The commission emphasised that all institutions, including the Sindh police, are legally obligated to implement the CPJMP’s decisions. The meeting decided to stress upon the home department and the police chief to appoint one focal person each to ensure better coordination with the commission.

The commission also decided to again write to all media owners reminding them that under Article 15 of the Sindh CPJMP Act, 2021, media owners are legally bound not only for the life insurance of their journalists but also to ensure they receive safety trainings.

The meeting said that the implementation of this law must be guaranteed to uphold the safety and protection of journalists. The commission also reviewed the annual progress report drafted by the CPJMP secretary, and provided suggestions for improving it. After the meeting they visited the under-construction commission office at the Sindh Archives, and expressed satisfaction over the construction efforts.