Journalists demand grant for Swat Press Club

MINGORA: Journalist community here on Sunday criticised government institutions for not providing grant to Swat Press Club for the last four years.

The club’s general council meeting, presided over by the Swat Press Club president Mahboob Ali, criticised the provincial government for not providing grant and facilities to the press club.

“We condemn in the strongest possible words the government move to pressure media houses to expel the journalist having critical narrative against the government. Senior journalist Shahzad Alam was expelled by his media house to appease the information department of the provincial government,” said Mahboob Ali, urging the media house concerned to restore the journalist to continue his journalistic work.

The journalist community deplored the housing ministry for not initiating work on Swat media colony.

“The foundation stone of the colony was laid down 5 months ago but the construction work and plot allotment process have not been commenced. To solve the issue, the government needs to take solid and practical steps to kick off the project,” said Ghulam Farooq, a senior journalist. He asked the chief minister to take personnel interest to launch the project.

Through a resolution unanimously adopted, members of Swat Press Club urged the human rights and media workers; organisations to play their due role in compelling the provincial government to ensure the rights of the journalists.

“We will not bow to any power and would continue our efforts for the freedom of expression and free journalism,” said Shahzad Alam, president Swat Electronic Media Association. He maintained that in democratic states, freedom of expression and journalists’ rights are protected.

The journalist community threatened that if their demands were not fulfilled, they would take to the streets and launch countrywide protest for their rights.