Expressing disapproval: Info minister condemns use of force against PTI marchers, journalists

Media personnel in the city protest nominal wages, delay in salaries.

PESHAWAR/ CHARSADDA/ MINGORA: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani condemned “state brutality” in the federal capital and demanded action against those responsible for assaulting protesters as well as journalists.

Addressing a journalists’ protest camp opposite Peshawar Cantonment Railway Station on Tuesday, Ghani said, “The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest was peaceful but the federal government used force against the demonstrators making the situation worse.”

He was referring to the violent clashes which started Saturday night between PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers and the police in Islamabad which claimed three lives and injured over 400 people. During the clashes, police reportedly assaulted several journalists of various media outlets and broke their equipment.

Salary issues

The protest camp was organised by the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) and Peshawar Press Club (PPC) against the non-payment of salaries to its employees by several media outlets

Noting that journalists earn a nominal salary, the information minister announced the provincial government will soon formulate a committee to revise salaries of media personnel.

In his address, PPC President Nasir Hussain said though journalists continue to put their lives on the line and work in times of deteriorating law and order, their salaries still remain negligible—even unpaid—for long periods.

He demanded the government stop placing advertisements with such media houses. The president said if their demands are not met, the protest would be expanded into a movement.

PTI rages on

Meanwhile, PTI activists from across the province continued their protest in solidarity with the Islamabad clashes and blocked several key roads, disrupting the flow of traffic in many districts on Tuesday.

PTI workers blocked the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway Interchange in the provincial capital and chanted slogans against the government. They demanded strict action against those responsible for assaulting protesters in Islamabad.

Because of the demonstration, travellers remained stranded for several hours.

“I have some business in Gujranwala but protesters have blocked the motorway. I don’t think they will reopen it; I’ll have to change the route and take GT Road instead,” said a businessman.

They also obstructed Khairabad Bridge which suspended traffic between Punjab and K-P. Similar protests were held in Charsadda on the call of PTI Chairperson Imran Khan where the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway was blocked at Nissata interchange for traffic on both lanes.

Led by PTI Peshawar General Secretary Fazal Khan, the protesters marched from Farooque Azam Square in Charsadda Bazaar to the motorway and placed barriers on the road. Addressing the protesters, PTI K-P General Secretary Khalid Masood said the present government is a sham because it came into power through a fake mandate.

“PTI is committed to its goal and will achieve it any cost. We will continue our protest against the federal government till it comes to an end,” said Masood. “Imran Khan is a symbol of hope for the poor people of the country and PTI will free the nation of the present government,” he added.

The Swat chapter of the PTI Youth wing also held a protest against the Islamabad clashes. The demonstrators chanted slogans against Nawaz Sharif and his party Pakistan Muslim League.

The protesters began marching from several areas of Mingora and merged to form a larger gathering at Nishat Chowk.

“The so-called PM will face the consequences of killing innocent PTI workers. The nation will never forgive him for killing and torturing citizens,” said Nadia Sher Khan, parliamentary secretary for population welfare.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2014.