PFUJ demands journalists’ protection in Sindh during lockdown

SUKKUR: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the manhandling by the police and Rangers of journalists while performing their duties during the lockdown in various cities of Sindh.

In a joint statement, PFUJ President Shehzada Zulfiqar, Vice-President Lala Asad Pathan and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi condemned the behaviour of security officials with the journalists, especially in Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, and other cities. It is reported that journalists are being beaten on the roads by the security personnel despite the exemption given by through the government notification after showing their valid office identity cards.

The journalist leaders showed their concerns over the issue and said it undermined the efforts of Sindh government to curb the outbreak of coronavirus. They said it was a usual practice that journalists were allowed to work freely to report the ground situation in time. The PFUJ demanded the Sindh government and DG Rangers to probe the situation and provide safety and security to journalists working in the field or trying to reach their offices.