JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 30, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), which has completed 70 years of its existence, will mark 2020 as the "Year of Press Freedom and Protection of Economic Rights" of workers of the media industry.
The announcement was made by newly elected President of PFUJ Shahzada Zulfikar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi in a joint statement issued in Islamabad.
Announcing the year-long celebrations, the PFUJ leaders said that the union would hold seminars in Islamabad and all four provincial capitals to highlight the PFUJ's long history of struggle for press freedom as well as the economic rights of the workers.
"PFUJ has played a leading role in restoring freedom of expression and economic rights of workers as well as civil liberties throughout 70 years of its existence including heroic movements against the dictatorial military rules in the country," the joint statement said.
The two leaders said that the media industry and its workers were once again faced with the worst kind of restrictions on the freedom of expression as well as strangulation of the economic rights of the workers.
As such the PFUJ has decided to reignite the spirit of resistance among the workers to stand up for the protection of their economic rights and freedom of expression which are under threat from the government and state institutions alike.
The union leadership has decided to constitute a committee headed by former Secretary-General PFUJ Mazhar Abbas to formulate programs and organize events in 2020.
They said seminars and conferences in collaboration with civil rights organizations will be held across the country where senior journalists' will highlight the PFUJ struggle as well as reiterate their commitment to fighting against all those who are trying to impose restrictions on the freedom of expression on one pretext or the other.
"Journalists have stood against repressive laws in the past, and they won't allow anyone to restrict freedom of the press under any pretext," the two leaders said.
The union of journalists across the country will organize seminars throughout the year in their respective areas.
The committee headed by Mazhar Abbas has also been authorised to publish a social magazine during 2020 which would highlight the PFUJ struggle.
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.