KARACHI:
At an event organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists on Monday, audience members had the opportunity to meet four journalists who symbolised the civil society’s struggle against Ziaul Haq’s military dictatorship.
Masoodullah Khan, Nasir Zaidi, Khawar Naeem and Iqbal Jafferi were flogged on May 13, 1978 for protesting for the freedom of the press. In a moment of candor, however, Khan admitted that doctors had declared him to be too frail to withstand the beating, after which he was spared. The ISPR, however, included in its press release his name with the others who were tortured.
Khan said that security agencies had accused him of being “Bhutto’s man.” That was ironic, as journalists were fighting for the freedom of the press at a time when Pakistan Peoples Party workers could not be seen out on the streets. He also lamented that the culprits behind former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer’s murder were not brought to justice so far.
Amin Yousaf of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists said that it was the first time that four “heroes” were being honoured at an event. Yousaf criticised the government for not implementing the wage board act so far, due to which journalists were facing financial difficulties.
Iqbal Jafferi, who started his career in Karachi, pointed out the hardships faced by journalists as they tried to restore democracy during martial law. “We were proud that we were whipped, because we were working for a cause.” Media personnel at the time would be questioned about their “sources of financing”. “[They] would ask if Russia or the PPP was funding us and called us ‘rebels’,” said Jafferi. He added, however, that the struggle for the freedom of the press was still going on.
Khawar Naeem Hashmi said that he was arrested on August 14, 1978, for allegedly “defacing Quaid’s mausoleum.” While recalling his days in captivity from 1978 to 1982, he said that he was forced to take off his clothes before being flogged. Army officers would watch the floggings along with their families.
While talking about the Karachi Press Club, Nasir Zaidi said that the institution plays a big role in raising awareness for protests all over the country. From 1958 to 1970, newspapers were being closed and journalists punished. “We struggled against Zia’s dictatorship just like those before us did during their time.”
Muttahida Qaumi Movement MNA Waseem Akhtar said that the four journalists, through their struggle, had awakened society. He said that journalists should continue to point out irregularities within state institutions and provide direction to society.
MPA Shazia Marri said that her party had always supported the freedom of the media. “I am witnessing history here. I’ve finally met these [brave] journalists.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2012.
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Respect!
@Khalq e Khuda: I agree with your suggestions 100%. Thanks a lot for the truth and fairness. I have seen with my own eyes newspapers being censored and having blank columns and rows. Some papers like Masawat which was heavily censored started writing Quranic verses with the translation. I have even seen in Masawat paper that the translation was censored. Because the Quranic verse was against tyrant rulers! Yet the dictator was biggest champion of fundamentalism. Thanks a lot and regards, Mirza
These brave men are our heroes. The nation should not forget those brave men and women who fought against Zia dictatorship and forces of darkness behind him. Current democratic government should erect a monument in Rawalpindi to comemorate the sacrifices of thousands of brave souls who faced death, imprisonment and torture at the hand of the most hateful dictator of the history.
Indeed the darkest era of Pakistani history! Hats off to you Sirs!
Dear ET,
Please post this news on a more prominent position. More and more people in Pakistan should know of what is the true of one of our multiple glorious dictators.
@Zeeshan Sheikh:
Do you care to elaborate how were they working against Pakistan? Need I tell you that all newspapers were reviewed by military officers before publication and there were no private tv or radio channels?
Not all journalists were flogged only who were working against Pakistan and worked for money. They deserved that.
All of these journalists should be given civil awards for bravery, it is long over do.
I also realised that much of younger Pakistanis in urban areas are unaware of these parts of military rule. Perhaps this would give them some insight into why PPP lives on, because while most of people in Karachi, Lahore and Pindi reclined in their couches these brave apolitical journalists along with thousands of PPP activists fought for their freedom against a brutal regime.
The Golden Era of pakistan.
Brave men.
That was the dark age of Pakistani journalists' history. happy to see some good changes and hope for the further. PPF has prepared the Report on Murder of Pakistani Journalists From January 2002 to November 2011. click the link below, to see the report
http://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/publications-reports/12779
It was always mullah/military/judiciary alliance which worked together with the dictators against those demanding basic human rights. Nice to see some change in last four decades, Gen Mush is afraid to return to Pakistan and despite all the powers of the deep state the generals cannot overthrow the elected govt. Kudos to these brave professionals who had the guts to stand up to the worst dictator in Pakistan. Your name would be written in golden letters in history while Gen Zia and the judges who aided and abetted his rule have sunk in oblivion. It should be a refresher course to the future usurpers.
Darkest era of Pakistan's history. Regards, Rehan