LAHORE, Jan 7: Dozens of journalists held a Freedom of Press camp at the Lahore Press Club on Monday, with several lawyers and members of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) also in attendance in a show of solidarity.

Ejaz Maqbool of the Lahore Press Club, said: “We will continue to struggle until Pemra ordinances are lifted and the media is truly free.”

Several journalists from Geo news, as well as advocates Azhar Siddique and Khurram Khosa, and former Karachi Nazim Naimatullah were present at the protest.

Mr Khosa said all Pakistanis must unite as one to raise their voice in favour of justice, and that it was the duty of all to continue to the mission of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto to fight for democracy, while Azhar Siddique said the movement must continue until the authorities sit up and take notice.

MINAR-I-PAKISTAN PROTEST: Civil society activists, students and lawyers are expected to turn out in large numbers on Tuesday (today) at a protest to be held at 2pm in front of the Minar-i-Pakistan.

The Student Action Committee (SAC) say that the protest will call for the restoration of the pre-emergency judiciary “which stood for a just rule of law and against the inefficiency displayed by the establishment which has led to the assassination of thousands of citizens, including a powerful leader of the opposition.”

They have also urged ordinary citizens from all walks of life to stand with them “so that the country has a chance to literally stand up and decide the future of Pakistan.”

The Campaign for Democracy and Rule of Law in Pakistan (CDRLP) has also put out a call for the event. Mr Khosa, secretary of the CDRLP told Dawn he has “no idea” of what numbers can be expected, but said that members of the Concerned Citizens of Pakistan, responsible for the pro-judiciary protest held at the residence of Aitzaz Ahsan on Sunday, will also be in attendance, as will the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance.

Mr Khosa said that an image of Pakistan would be chalked on the floor and filled by various members of different ethnicities, including members of the Pukhtoon Lawyers Forum and members of religious minorities, in a symbol of national unity. —Staff Reporter