CPNE demands lifting of Geo ban
LAHORE: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors has expressed solidarity with the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) and vowed to fight for the freedom of press.
Editors of various newspapers accompanied by journalists visited the Lahore Press Club on Thursday and expressed their resolve to fight for the freedom and independence of press and media. President CPNE Arif Nizami, former president CPNE Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Editor The News Lahore Ayesha Haroon, columnist Irshad Haqani, Altaf Qureshi, Editor Daily Jinnah Athar Masood, Editor Musawat Sajjad Bukhari, Editor daily Jurrat Jamil Athar and columnist Rehmat Ali Razi were present on the occasion.
The editors in their joint statement said that they refused to accept the PEMRA Ordinance and demanded government lift ban on TV channels especially on GEO TV. CPNE President Arif Nizami said curbs on media were unacceptable and editors and newspaper owners will not compromise on the freedom of expression. He said the government had tried to harm Jang Group economically by closing its channels and advertisement.
Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami said that freedom of expression in Pakistan was like daylight which disappeared after some time. He said the government was seeking expulsion of some journalists from their organisations which was not acceptable.
Lahore Press Club President Mohsin Goraya said journalists will not compromise on their right to speak the truth. PUJ President Arif Hameed Bhatti said the camp set up at the Lahore Press Club will not end until restrictions on media were lifted. He said journalists were ready to sacrifice economically if newspaper owners and editors supported them. The participants of the ceremony also chanted slogans against curbs on media.
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