ISLAMABAD: The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) Workers hosted a significant conference and lunch in Islamabad today, gathering leaders from the journalistic community to discuss the alarming downsizing at Daily 92 Newspaper, which has resulted in the termination of approximately 60 employees across Pakistan.
The abrupt dismissal of these workers has left families in uncertainty, and the issue has sparked deep concern among journalists already facing challenging circumstances in Pakistan. The primary focus of the conference was to address how these terminated employees and their families will survive, especially in such a difficult economic climate. The journalist community highlighted the urgent need to protect the rights and livelihoods of media workers, emphasizing that sudden terminations threaten not only their jobs but also press freedom in the country.
Senior leaders of the journalistic community attended the conference to devise a strategic plan of action against the management of Daily 92, including organized protests and legal proceedings. The event saw the participation of several key figures in Pakistan’s journalism landscape, including:
- Dr. Sadia Kamal, President of PFUJ Workers
- Abdul Razaq Chishti, Information Secretary, PFUJ Workers
- Jahangir Aslam Baloch, President of RIUJ Workers
- Syed Bilal Izzat Naqvi, General Secretary of RIUJ Workers
- Muneeb Ul Islam Bukhari, Vice President of RIUJ Workers
- Shakeel Yameen Kanaga, President, Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) Workers
- Daraza Zafar, Senior Journalist from Daily Jang
- Imran Chaudhary, Information Secretary of RIUJ Workers
- Syed Hassan Bukhari, Editor of Daily Growth
- Advocate Khawaja
- Dr. Niaz, Senior Journalist from Australia
The conference was an intense discussion of the plight of media workers and their rights, with prominent journalists expressing solidarity and support for those affected. Dr. Sadia Kamal and Abdul Razaq Chishti emphasized the need for immediate legal action to challenge the unfair dismissals. Syed Bilal Izzat Naqvi, General Secretary of RIUJ Workers, highlighted that this is not only a humanitarian issue but also a fight for press freedom in Pakistan.
“The sudden downsizing is not just about jobs—it’s about survival. It’s about how these families will get their bread and butter in such trying times. The journalist community must unite to ensure their voices are heard, and justice is delivered,” Naqvi stated.
The event culminated with the agreement to proceed with protests and legal measures, underscoring the resolve of the journalist community to stand against such unethical practices in the media industry.
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