Endowment Fund for journalists set up

ISLAMABAD: Media Town Housing Society Chairman Farouq Faisal Khan has announced "Endowment Fund" for the welfare of widows and orphans of journalist.

"We are achieving self- reliance. Endowment Fund initially started from Rs30 million, contributed by senior journalists,” said Farooq, while addressing flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of 70 Independence Day of Pakistan, organised by National Press Club (NPC) along with farmer president of PFUJ Muhammad Afzal Butt, President NPC Shakeel Anjum, Mayor Islamabad Shaeikh Ansar Aziz, Secretary NPC Imran Yaqoun Dhillon at the NPC.

Farouq said senior journalists like Nasir Zaidi, Hamid Mir, Zafar Malik, Muhammad Afzal Butt, Tariq Chaudhary, Khalid Azeem, Maira Imran and Shakeel Anjum are the driving force behind building up this Fund.

He said the endowment fund to support the orphans and widows of journalists with provide them different health and education facilities. He announced Media Town Phase-II on which negotiation was completed with Punjab government and Rs1 billion is guaranteed to be paid by the Media Town Society.

He said the initial process including all legal matters has been completed with Punjab government. Farouq also announced Community School System (CSS) for journalist children in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, adding that CSS School will be inaugurated in coming month

He also announced a dispensary in Media Town, which is soon to be converted in hospital and will be inaugurated in September. Shakeel Anjum appreciated the Fund and other welfare projects. He said this is all result of unity and efforts of the leaders like Farouq Faisal and Afzal Butt.

He said self-reliance is the best policy to enhance capacity to support journalist families. He urged for the unity of journalist to achieve welfare of journalist community. Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz appreciated the role of leadership of Journalist Panel and NPC. He hails the efforts of NPC President Shakeel Anjum and Secretary Imran Yaqoub Dhillon for the welfare of journalist community.

He said the Fund is huge gift for the journalist community. Farmer PFUJ President Muhammad Afzal Butt said that on the occasion of 70th Independence Day of Pakistan, they are committed to join hands for the welfare of journalists.

He said the endowment for journalist community is huge achievement and result of long struggle, adding that top priority of the panel is to make journalist community a powerful segment of society.

Secretary NPC Imran Yaqoub Dhillon also hailed the efforts of leadership and said that this is great occasion to show the unity and strength of journalist community for achieving the self- reliance.