ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has criticised the government for failing to handle the Faizabad sit-in for nearly two weeks, saying the situation appears to be out of their control.

“Under these conditions it is important for political workers and parties to end their internal strife, and the media should also play their due role,” he said, adding: “It is necessary to take society in the right direction and stop those who are trying to impose themselves on the country.”

The Senate chairman was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the Martyred Journalists Memorial at the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad. The memorial was built in the memory of journalists killed while performing their duties in various parts of the country.

He said: “I am usually accused of sensationalism, but what I see is that things are not going in the right direction, and all institutions should work in their constitutional domain.”

Senate chairman criticises govt for failing to handle Faizabad protest

He said at this time, Pakistan’s politicians, media, workers and citizens need to be on the same page.

Mr Rabbani also slammed attacks on the media, saying that institutions were weak and politics was a mess, and nobody was worried to see where society is going. He said the role of the media has become more important under these circumstances, and the Senate has directed the government present a journalists’ protection bill within a month.

Expressing solidarity with the media, he said: “If Senate proceedings are boycotted by the press against attacks on the media, then we will take the media’s side.”

Mr Rabbani also praised the establishment of the memorial, saying that nations developed by remembering their heroes.

He said previously only those who had died on the border were considered heroes, but media persons should also be saluted as they also faced bullets and institutional brutalities for the sake of democracy and to uphold their profession.

“The contribution of journalists to democracy in Pakistan has been important and will be remembered for all times to come,” he added.

Mr Rabbani said the PPP respects and stands with the journalists’ community. Awards were given to senior journalists Hamid Mir and Saud Sahir, and NPC President Shakeel Anjum also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2017