LAHORE: Rich tributes were paid to journalists who died while performing their duty, at a reference held at the Government College University on Tuesday.

Speakers, including close associates and colleagues of late Asad Sahi, Hamid Javed, Usman Malik, Akhtar Hayat and Moin Ahmad, stressed the need for rationalisation of journalists’ working hours while commemorating their departed fellows.

They said working conditions and duty hours of the journalists were so stressful that it often resulted in their early death.

“This is a dilemma that young people like Asad Sahi, Moin and Usman are dying. We should think why they are dying so young. This is because there was an immense workload on them. The owners should also think about easing their workers which will certainly enhance the work quality,” said senior journalist Amjad Warraich.

“There is a war going on in media channels for breaking the news first and running tickers. The electronic media reporters remain stressed round the clock. They are reporters even when they are off duty. We have started several projects including health insurance and life insurance for Press Club members but the news organisations should also think about it,” said Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari.

Senior journalist Khalid Qayyum said Asad Sahi was a very hard working journalist who worked at the pace of electronic media even when TV channels were not launched. He said for a reporter the greatest assets were his sources and Asad Sahi had very effective sources. He appreciated the GCU for organising a reference for late journalists.

Another senior journalist, Kazim Khan, said late Sahi was very supportive of young reporters and would always help them learn new things.

Muddasir Iqbal Butt said it was commendable that a reference was arranged for those journalists “who are not among us but live in our memories and hearts.”

Asad Sahi’s father Hasnain Sahi and his brother Aoun Sahi thanked the participants for sparing time to remember their departed colleagues.

GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleequr Rehman said often people complained about the negativity of the media but he was very happy to see that how these reporters were remembering their late colleagues.

Pakistan Traders Association President Khalid Pervaiz, journalists Asaf Jafri, Fakhrul Islam, Amjad Lodhi and others also spoke.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2015

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