JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 17, 2012
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Friday set up a three-man committee to investigate the ‘corrupt journalists’ mentioned in the ‘List of 19’ that also made it on to the Internet the same day the leaked video scandal broke.
The ‘List of 19’, which is transcribed on a Bahria Town letterhead, names top journalists and anchors who allegedly accepted gifts, land and money worth millions from Bahria Town tycoon Malik Riaz.
PFUJ President Pervaiz Shaukat had announced Friday the committee to investigate the list has APNEC Chairman Nasir Naqvi, PFUJ Secretary General Mohammed Amin Yousaf and senior journalist Nasir Zaidi of the Zia era flogging case.
The committee is to submit its report in the next meeting of the Federal Executive Council of the PFUJ.
However, the many journalists have greeted the setting up of the committee with cynicism and mirth. “This is a joke,” a senior reporter of an Urdu daily remarked, “Nobody will believe their findings. Nasir Zaidi is the only one we have some respect for. One of them is not a journalist and is known for his dirty deals and the other is an office holder of a body that itself has no control over journalists and is steeped in politics and corruption.”
“They will only hide what they can and benefit where and how they can,” a reporter with a news channel added. “Nasir Naqvi is not a journalist but a drama and TV artiste. Furthermore, his claim that he is the Chairman of APNEC is contentious because there are two factions in APNEC and he heads one. He made millions off the Lahore Press Club project.”
Others were of the opinion the PFUJ had no standing and that perhaps journalists would accept the findings into the current scandal and the ‘List of 19’ if the country’s top court were to set up a committee in collaboration with respected journalists like Nasir Zaidi.
“For long the PFUJ elections have been a sham. It is an un-representative body propped up by fake journalists who only appear at election time. We cannot let them take responsibility for looking into such a grave matter,” the reporter added.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.