PFUJ calls for countrywide protests

Islamabad:Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has called for countrywide protests on Friday May 25, 2012 against target killing of journalists in the country, massive retrenchments in various media organisations and non-payment of salaries.
On the call of the PFUJ, its affiliates throughout the country would take out protest rallies carrying black flags and wearing black armbands.
PFUJ President Pervaiz Shaukat has condemned the sacking in various media organisations, most recently in Geo TV, and said such anti-worker policies of media barons would not be tolerated. He said PFUJ would stand by media workers and strive for their due rights.
PFUJ Secretary-General Amin Yousuf said the government was not serious in solving the issues of journalists despite being repeatedly informed about their plight.
“We would exercise our right to protest against anti-journalist policies, and will continue to do so until journalists rights are respected,” Mr Yousuf said.
It may be mentioned here that Geo terminated the services of various employees including Reporters from its Islamabad office last week. There are reports of more sackings from its Karachi office.

As many as 16 staff members from its sports channel, Geo Super, were laid off on April 16, 2012 which included an editor, anchors and subeditors.
According to the sources Samaa TV, Din TV, Royal News, Aaj TV, News One, Waseeb, TV One, Channel 5, Star Asia, Indus News, ARY News and other Channels including several News Papers are forcefully dismissing workers from their jobs. The Owners are on the highest of obstinacy and not clearing dues of workers. PFUJ has numerous times called upon the DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT to get their attention into this serious matter, but
Targeted killing of journalists has continued and since the start of this year, as many as three journalists — Mukarram Khan Asif, Aurangzaib Tunio and Razzaq Gul — have been killed in the line of duty.