Journalists boycott assembly session

Opposition members deplore brutality against journalists at PIA protest


Our Correspondent February 02, 2016
Opposition members deplore brutality against journalists at PIA protest. PHOTO: ONLINE

KARACHI: Protesting against the torture on their colleagues during the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees' protest, journalists covering the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday walked out of the session.

The token protest turned into a complete boycott as no minister or adviser of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came out to inquire about the matter and assure protesters of resolving their demands.

The indifferent attitude of the Sindh government representatives in the assembly compelled the journalists to stage a sit-in in front of the Sindh Assembly for two hours.



Members of opposition parties belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League - Functional (PML-F) and a few MPAs from the treasury benches joined their sit-in. Shouting slogans such as 'Zulm ke ye zabte hum nahi mante' [We don't accept this cruelty] and 'Sahafiyoon pe tashadud ban karo' [Stop violence against journalists], they demanded action against those who beat up journalists and said relief be provided to their injured colleagues.

Initially, journalists who came out of the press gallery to record their protest were waiting for PPP ministers in order to register their complaint. However, none of the minister came to the press gallery to express sympathy. Some MPAs from the MQM then raised the issue during the proceedings. Responding to it, environment minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro said "We have no idea who tortured the journalists."

Addressing reporters, PML-F lawmaker Nand Kumar said it is the government's responsibility to resolve their issues. "We have come here to support you, but it is the government's responsibility to resolve your issues," he said.

Since the PPP ministers did not turn up, the reporters decided to boycott the proceedings and staged a sit-in. After the session was adjourned, senior minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro came to the protesting journalists and told them that the chief minister has ordered an inquiry into the matter and that the injured journalists will be provided relief. After two hours, the reporters ended their protest.

Thin attendance

Earlier, the Sindh Assembly session, which started with speaker Agha Siraj Durrani in chair, passed three resolutions amid thin attendance on the treasury and opposition benches.

During the session, the assembly could only take up three resolutions moved by MQM MPAs.  Saifuddin Khalid of the party, who belongs to Orangi Town area, demanded the establishment of two new mental rehabilitation centres and hospitals in Karachi and Sukkur. The assembly unanimously passed this resolution.

Other resolutions called for ban on Afghan SIMs and initiation of a public transport scheme in Karachi. The session was adjourned till Wednesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd,  2016.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ