08 February 2005	Tuesday	28 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: Journalists covering the senate session on Monday staged a walkout from the press gallery to protest against registration of a case against two Karachi-based journalists under the official secret act and non-implementation of the Seventh Wage Board Award for newspaper employees.

The walked came soon after MQM Senator Ahmed Ali, speaking on a point of order, raised the issue of some reports published in a few Karachi-based newspapers against his party.

Minister of State for Interior Dr Shehzad Waseem and Senator Kamil Ali Agha came to the press lounge and listened to the grievances of the journalists.

The newsmen informed the minister about their financial problems and said that the government should take steps for the implementation of the wage board award.

The minister asked the journalists to end their boycott and promised that he would raise their issues on the floor of the house.

The newsmen ended their boycott when he gave the assurance on the floor of the house that the matter of registration of the case against the journalists would be taken up with the Sindh government.

The minister said the government fully believed in freedom of the press and would take every step to ensure unhindered continuity of this freedom.

The minister of state also requested the Leader of the House, Mr Wasim Sajjad, to talk to the concerned ministry to take up the issue of non-implementation of the award.