ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: The journalists covering the Senate proceedings on Tuesday staged a token walk out from the press gallery in protest against the burning of a Sindhi newspaper in Sukkur and demanded protection to the press against harassment. Minister of State for Information Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli visited the journalists on the directive of Senate Chairman Muhammedmian Soomro and assured them of measures to protect the press against acts of intimidation.

Later, speaking on floor of the upper house, the state minister said that she had discussed the issue with the interior minister whose ministry would ensure that such incidents did not occur in future.

According to reports, copies of the newspaper were burnt on Monday second time in a week in Sukkur for publishing an advertisement in support of the Kalabagh dam. Most of the Sindhi newspapers are boycotting such advertisements.