Journalists observe black day, Sharifs respond

Journalists held demonstrations and protests in different areas of the country after the PFUJ termed today a black day.

LAHORE: Journalists held demonstrations and protests in different areas of the country after the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced today to be a black day and decided not to cover the Punjab Assembly until the resolution is withdrawn.

Protests took place in Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, Faisalabad , Hafiz abad , Sheikhupura and Multan.

The Punjab Assembly on Friday had accused the media of having adopted an “irresponsible attitude." A resolution which accused the media of indulging in “blackmail” and “working for vested interest" was also passed unanimously.

The Sharifs respond to the protests

Meanwhile Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif while speaking in Bahawalpur commented on the media saying that it is the fourth pillar of a democratic state.

Though he did not outrightly criticise the Punjab legislators onslaught on the media, he said the journalists’ contribution to the democratic struggle could also not be ignored.

The chief minister also tweeted:

Have the greatest of respect for the freedom of speech and media; have constituted a committee to resolve the interface issues ASAP

PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said that he will strongly oppose any attempt to impose curbs on the media. He added that he respects the free media as much as he respects the free judicay.