June 08, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1428

PESHAWAR, June 7: Members of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) on Thursday expressed concern over the promulgation of the Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 and urged the government to revoke it immediately.

Journalists observed a ‘black day’ on Thursday on the call of the Federal Union of Journalists against what they called the implementation of draconian government measures that sought to muzzle the press.

Jan Afzal, president of the KhUJ, and Nasir Mohammad, president of the Tribal Union of Journalists, led the protesters. They tried to march towards the Governor’s House and the Chief Minister’s House but were stopped from going there.

Jan Afzal vowed that journalists would not be intimidated by the government’s coercive measures. Terming the amended Pemra ordinance illegal, other speakers described it as a ploy to stifle the press.

On the occasion protesters raised slogans against President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the Pemra ordinance.

President of the High Court Bar Association Abdul Lateef Afridi in his address blamed the government for recent curbs and termed them unlawful, saying that the legal fraternity would fully support journalists.

President of the Tribal Union of Journalists Nasir Mohmand said that the government was restricting the media in desperation, adding that they would fight till the end.

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s MNA Shabbir Ahmad Khan, PML-N’s provincial vice-president Mohammad Afzal and Rakhshanda Naz of the Aurat Foundation were also present.

Later, unanimous resolutions were passed, demanding of the government to form a committee on the issue of the Pemra ordinance with working journalists among its members and calling for providing security to journalists, enabling them to perform their professional duties without any fear.

Meanwhile, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party termed the new Pemra ordinance a tool aimed at browbeating the press.

LAKKI MARWAT: The district chapter of the Lakki Bar Association on Thursday also protested against the restrictions imposed on the media by the government. The legal fraternity of the district boycotted court proceedings.

They took out a rally to condemn the government move and to express solidarity with the community of journalists. Led by Lakki Bar president Mohammad Yaqoob a good number of protesting lawyers marched on the Kachehry road and reached the Kargil chowk.

Their rally turned into a small gathering on the Bannu-Mianwali road. The protesters also chanted slogans against the federal government and President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

HARIPUR: Journalists and lawyers staged a joint demonstration to protest against the amended Pemra ordinance and registration of cases against journalists in Islamabad.

Lawyers boycotted court proceedings and joined the journalists’ protest and marched from the district bar hall to the main chowk. Protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-government and anti-Pemra slogans.

Political activists of the PPP, PML-N, JI and other political parties joined the protesters, who chanted slogans in favour of freedom of press and independence of the judiciary.

Lawyers said that reference against the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the ban on live TV coverage, new Pemra ordinance and action against journalist was indicative of the government’s growing frustration.

SWABI: Journalists in Swabi also observed a ‘black day’ on Thursday and protested against the government’s move to impose sweeping curbs on media.

Journalists hoisted black flags over their offices and wore black arm bands as a mark of protest.