KARACHI, Aug 31: A joint meeting of the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and local chapter of the All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (Apnec) has demanded immediate implementation of the 7th Wage Award and formation of the 8th Wage Board.

The meeting, held at the Karachi Press Club, also urged the government to link all concessions to the newspaper industry with the implementation of the wage award.

The meeting endorsed the call given by the PFUJ central Apnec for a train march and sit-in outside the PM’s House on September 15.

Speakers, including a former Apnec chairman and PFUJ chief, Abdul Hameed Chapra, PFUJ Secretary General Mazhar Abbas, Apnec Karachi chief Zakir Ansar and Senior Vice-chairman of central Apnec Mohammad Saeed appealed to political parties, trade unions and civil society organisations to join in the PFUJ-Apnec struggle for freedom of expression, better working conditions, abolishment of contractual employment and rule of law in the country.

The speakers also condemned the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti and termed it ‘target killing’.

—PPI