May 04, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1429

SUKKUR May 3: Speakers paid rich tributes to the struggle of journalists across the country, especially in interior Sindh for upholding press freedom, and repeal of Pemra Laws.

This was expressed during a seminar held at the Sukkur Press Club in connection with the International Press Freedom Day, on Saturday.

A large number of journalists including Waseem Shamsi, Khalid Bhanban, Arif Memon, Shahid Ali, Nasrullah Waseer and others applauded the role of journalists in upholding the spirit of freedom.

Through a resolution the meeting called upon the government to implement the Wage Award for which journalists would not hesitate in rendering any sacrifice.

The resolution held that the press freedom which the national press enjoyed today was not any gift by the rulers rather a result of their struggle against dictatorial regimes in 60s and onwards. It said the struggle will continue for upholding the freedom of press in the future, as well.

Presiding over the seminar, President of the Club Khawaja Jawed Ahmed urged the federal government and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sheri Rehman to ensure security to journalists in the performance of duties.

He said several journalists in Sindh had been targeted by vested interests and sacrificed their lives. They should be paid full compensation by the government, he said.

Earlier, they staged a rally outside the press club and raised slogans for press freedom, and vowed to protect it at all costs.