ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: The journalists protest triggered by curbs on the media entered the second day when they staged a demonstration in front of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) office here on Saturday.

Waving black flags, wearing black arm bands and chanting slogans “Go Musharraf go”, “No to curbs on media”, “No to Pemra Ordinance”, “We want freedom” and “Lift ban on private news channels” the mediapersons demanded an end to what they called the draconian laws imposed since the proclamation of emergency last week.

Members of the civil society, lawyers and students also joined the demonstration to express solidarity with the media condemning the assault on press freedom and judiciary.

As many as 70 to 80 demonstrators had gathered in front of Aaj TV office in Blue Area. A protest camp was organised by Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists, as they observed a black day to condemn the anti-media ordinances.

The journalists community vowed to continue their struggle against the anti-media laws by calling for countrywide demonstrations and setting up protest camps.

Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Syed Huma Ali, secretary general Mazhar Abbas, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) president Afzal Butt and senior journalists Fozia Shahid, Syed Talat Hussain, Mohsin Raza, Kashif Abbasi, Asma Sherazi and others also participated in the rally.

PPI adds: The surprise visit of Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto along with PPP secretary-general Jahangir Badar, MNA Sherry Rehman and MNA Zamarud Khan and Naheed Khan to the protest camp gave a boost to the already charged atmosphere at the demonstration.

Addressing the protesters, Ms Bhutto condemned the ban imposed by the government on private TV channels and vowed that efforts would continue till the independence of media and judiciary.

Speaking on the occasion, Huma Ali vowed to continue efforts for the complete independence of media, saying PFUJ had never compromise on the freedom of the press.

He urged the owners of the media organisations to support the journalists’ efforts across the country for the independence of media.

Afzal Bhutt, Mazhar Abbas, Mushtaq Minhas, Fozia Shahid and others in their separate speeches condemned the ban imposed on the private TV channels and intimidation of the media.

They announced that a protest camp would also be held in front of Geo TV office at 2pm on Sunday.