At the start of the press conference, which was conducted with a buffet at the Arena off Karsaz, journalists were asked to sign up on a sheet. This sheet that filled up with names from Sindhi and Urdu newspapers and television channels was later used to distribute the cell phones to the journalists. After the buffet lunch (prawn tempura included) they crowded around the table where the cell phones were being handed out. If you refused to accept one, you were told, "It's for everyone."
Many journalists ascribe to the principle that you cannot accept a 'gift' if it is valued at more than one day's salary. Others, as Friday's event demonstrated, believe in accepting the gifts before heading out to Friday prayers.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ