Karachi: Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) gave strong reaction to proposed draft presented by federal government in Islamabad High Court for protection of journalists and legislation for journalists related to electronic media, calling it nexus between media owners and government.

President Faheem Siddiqui and General Secretary Liaquat Ali Rana in statement issued by all members of Executive Council said that in draft of proposed amendments to PEMRA laws by government, employees of electronic media For “On time salary” is written as “Salary in 6 months” which is also serious violation of labour laws. Under labour laws every employer is required to pay salary to his employee on completion of 30 days. Statement said that presenting such draft of amendments to PEMRA rules in High Court reflects nexus of government and owners and their capitalist thinking. Islamabad High Court has been thanked for rejecting proposed amendment in PEMRA rules. Statement also expressed surprise at position of Minister for Information and Broadcasting Maryam in which she said that these amendments were presented in Islamabad High Court without asking them.

KUJ demanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an investigation into matter with media owners in Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Law. Together, they are responsible for preparing draft of this unconstitutional and illegal amendments, strict action should be taken against it. Efforts are being made through which journalists in country can be brought down into economic quagmire, same thinking is behind it which wants journalists to remain trapped in economic confusion instead of performing their duties freely, statement said.

Already owners of News One, Aaj TV, Bol TV and Capital TV and others have withheld salaries of their employees for several months and in such case, PEMRA rules suggest “On time salary means getting salary in 6 months” is nexus between owners and government.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 04 2023

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