KOHAT, June 8: The local journalists organised a protest meeting here on Friday to condemn the “anti-press steps” taken by the government that, according to them, were aimed at gagging the print and electronic media.

Journalists supported by leaders of the opposition political parties and civil society organisations walked through the main bazaar of the city to register their protest over the derogatory remarks made recently against them by Federal Law Minister Wasi Zafar.

They chanted slogans against President Gen Pervez Musharraf, asking him to step down in the national interest.

Speaking on the occasion, Tajir Action Committee president Haji Abid, secretary-general Israr Shinwari and journalists asked the government to withdraw the cases filed recently against journalists. They termed the rulers the “real terrorists”.

The journalists, at another meeting, offered Fateha for the late Mehdi Hussain, the provincial information director.