PFUJ rejects govt’s order for action against newspaper

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) led by Afzal Butt has rejected the government’s demand from the APNS to take ‘disciplinary action’ against the Dawn newspaper. 

According to a press release, the PFUJ said: “We totally reject this direction because the dismissal of the Information Minister, Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Principal Information Officer is a vindication of the version of events and has given credence to newspaper's stance,” read the press release. 

“We stand by the newspaper, its editor and its reporter at this critical juncture as we believe it is an attack on the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech,” it said.  The statement said, “PFUJ has always stood for the press freedom and will not allow anyone to step upon the freedom give by the constitution.” 

The press release further stated that the PFUJ believes that no Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has the power to recommend any action against any newspaper. It concluded by stating that the PFUJ would go to any length to protect the freedom of the press ‘against all odds.’