Journalists, MPAs clash, head-on

Journalists boycotted the proceedings of the Punjab Assembly after a unanimous resolution against the media was passed.

Journalists burnt copies of the resolution in front of the assembly chambers and shouted slogans against the parliamentarians, while demanding that the House withdraw the resolution.

The protesting journalists also tried to stop the vehicle of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif when he came out of assembly, however, he drove off. Harsh words were also exchanged between some MPAs and media representatives after the session. Waris Kalloo and Yasin Sohl – both belonging to the Treasury bench – hurled abuse at journalists, which also led to a scuffle.

Several opposition members, including the Leader of the Opposition, Chaudhary Zaheerud Din tried appeasing the journalists after the session had ended. They told him he needed to raise his voice against the resolution on the floor of the House instead of condemning it outside. “We condemn the resolution and will speak against it,” Zaheerud Din said. Another PML-Q MPA Amna Ulfat added that Zaheerud Din had not been present in the assembly when the resolution was passed. Pakistan People’s Party MPA Qasim Zia also condemned the resolution while talking on camera. However, he was criticised by some journalists because his party had supported the resolution on the House floor.

Countrywide protests on Saturday (today) will be held to condemn the resolution .

Lahore Press Club vice president Chaudhary Amir Waqas said that the media couldn’t be stifled by such resolutions. He said the MPAs’ act was ‘shameful’.

Zaheer Shehzad, the president of Punjab Assembly Press Gallery, said that he was “beaten up by the MPAs. We condemn this resolution and the use of force to stop the media from telling the truth”.

Ulfat, while talking to The Express Tribune said that Zaheerudin along with her had submitted a resolution, “which is in favour of the media”. She added that they will try to include the new resolution in the House’s agenda when the session resumes.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2010.