On the call of the leadership of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) the local journalists on Tuesday stage a protest demo against curbs on media in the country.
The protest demo led by Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Jan Afzal, participated by the provincial ANP president and human rights activist Afrasiab Khattak, Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ).
President Nasir Mohmand, Peshawar Press Club (PPC) President M. Riaz, Bara Press Club (BPC) President Nasrullah Afridi, representatives of the Media Marketing Association, and Akhbar Faroosh Union besides a large number of local journalists.
The protesting journalists carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans regarding lifting of emergency, curbs on print and electronic-edia and demands for freedom of press in the country.
The protesters marched on the busy Sher Shah Suri Road connecting City with cantonment areas was moving towards the Governor's House when it was stopped by the police deployed on the road resulting in conversion of the procession into a public meeting.
The protestors chanted full throat slogans against the government for putting curbs on media and closure of two private TV channels. Addressing the protesting journalists, KhUJ President Jan Afzal, Secretary-General Nasir Hussain, TUJ President Nasir Mohmand and PPC President M. Riaz vowed to continue their struggle till the lifting of the state of emergency, complete restoration of the broadcasting of the private television channels and lifting of ban on newspapers.
The speakers alleged that General Pervez Musharraf has declared state of emergency in the country to prolong his rule, saying the attack on the independence of media and judiciary was condemnable.
They said that the broadcasting of private channels had been banned to hide the black deeds of the government and propagate their desirous news and analysis in both print and electronic media. They called for immediate withdrawal of the ban on private television channels otherwise; the journalists would continue their protest. Later, the representatives of journalists presented a memorandum in the Governor's House.
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