Journalists protest against Members Privilege Bill today

LAHORE: Journalists will stage a protest demonstration against the black law “Members Privilege Bill” in front of the Punjab Assembly today (Monday).

In this connection, meeting of Joint Action Committee was held at the Lahore Press Club Sunday. Office-bearers of the Lahore Press Club, PFUJs including Workers, Barna and Dastoor, PUJs Workers, Barna, Dastoor and official, Punjab Assembly Press Gallery and APNEC, and representatives of Progressive, Journalists, Dastoor and Writers groups attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that Punjab Governor Ch Sarwar has signed the disputed bill. The participants criticised a group of journalists who attempted to sabotage the journalists’ movement by misleading the community that anti-journalists clauses have been omitted. They pledged that journalists protest will be continue across the country until all the clauses against journalists are repealed. In this regard, a peaceful protest will be held in front of Punjab Assembly today at 5 pm. Leaders of all political parties and senior journalists will also participate in the protest. Moreover a technical committee comprising Zulfiqar Ali Mehto, Raja Riaz, Ahsan Zia, Javed Farooqi, Qamar Zaman Bhatti and Abid has also been constituted.

The meeting also demanded that no-go areas on the premises of Punjab Assembly should be abolished and journalists should be given access to the new building of assembly. Furthermore it is decided that a protest camp will be setup in front of the Lahore Press Club from July 6 and people from all walks of life including politicians, lawyers, civil society, trade unions will also join to show their solidarity with the journalists’ community.