ISLAMABAD, May 3 A large number of journalists representing organisations across the country gathered here on Monday to take part in a car rally organised by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) to mark the Universal Press Freedom Day.

They expressed firm resolve to protect workers' rights, ensure a conducive atmosphere for journalists in their organisations and defend freedom of the press.

They also vowed to take forward the mission of journalists who laid down their lives in incidents of terrorism and target killings, to uphold principles of journalism and to report the truth without any pressure and fear.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, office bearers and members of journalists' organisations, civil society activists and NGOs' representatives attended the gathering held to flag off the rally.

Speeches made on the occasion laid stress on journalists' right to freedom of expression.

PFUJ president Pervez Shaukat said the journalist community had played an important role in the struggle for restoration of democracy and for freedom of the press, protected rights of workers of newspapers and news channels.

Other speakers called for early implementation of the 7th Wage Award.The car rally which started from the PFUJ Secretariat culminated at Lahore.—Agencies