KARACHI:A grand luncheon was hosted by Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, in honor of the office bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists at a local hotel in Karachi.
The event was attended by Sharjeel Inam Memon, Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani, Sindh Government Spokespersons Samata Afzal Syed, Ganhwar Khan Isran, Saadia Javed, Buland Khan Junejo, Aqraba Fatima, Sukhdev Asardas Himnani, Nader Nabil Gabol, Tahseen Abidi, and Mustafa Baloch.
Senior office bearers of the Union of Journalists from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh were also present at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the Sindh government’s policy is founded on the principles of protecting journalists, ensuring their welfare, and upholding freedom of expression.
He emphasized that all hospitals in Sindh provide free treatment to Pakistani citizens, and even patients from countries such as Iran and Afghanistan come to Sindh for medical care.
He said that if a journalist is attacked, they receive immediate treatment at the province’s top hospitals. He further added that We do not consider political differences. We are here to serve.
Sharjeel Inam Memon, emphasizing that support for the media industry is a priority of his government, stated that they have always strived to maintain a media-friendly approach and promote the growth of the media sector.
He added that ensuring the full implementation of the minimum wage law in media houses is a top priority for the government.
He stated that Pakistan delivered a historic defeat to India, and celebrating this victory is a matter of honour. He added that travelling on a Pakistani passport is now a source of pride and confidence. Today, the global respect for our passport has increased, and the country is on the path to progress.
He further mentioned that 93,000 jobs were provided in the Sindh Education Department through a fully transparent process. He highlighted that the world’s largest housing project is currently underway in Sindh, where the PPP government is constructing 2.1 million homes.
At the ceremony, Provincial Minister for Labour and Local Bodies, Saeed Ghani, stated that a democratic society can not exist without an independent judiciary and a free press. He emphasized that while the courts have full freedom to make decisions, that freedom must remain within the boundaries of the Constitution.
He noted that when institutions exceed their constitutional limits, it causes harm to the state. He also said that some individuals operate under the guise of media while serving other agendas, which negatively impacts the credibility of institutions.
He said that the country may not have a perfect system but it is our responsibility to work toward improvement from within the existing framework.
In his address, Special Assistant Raza Haroon emphasized that accuracy and responsibility are essential in news reporting. Hevdaid that Bilawal Bhutto achieved significant diplomatic successes for Pakistan, while President Asif Ali Zardari advanced reconciliation politics in the country by promoting the slogan ‘Pakistan Khappay’.
Raza Haroon said that some uninformed elements in the parliament are unfortunately supporting an anti-Pakistan narrative. They claim that peaceful protest is a democratic right of every citizen, but it is important to identify which groups are inciting chaos. They also stated that journalism is a pillar of democracy and must not be allowed to weaken.
He said that journalism is a pillar of democracy and must not be allowed to weaken.
President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt, stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has always been a symbol of hope for the working class. He noted that the PPP created a labor-friendly environment, yet for the past 40 years, deliberate efforts and investments have been made to tarnish its image.
He emphasized that the labour laws and institutions established by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto continue to serve as a vital support system for workers to this day. He also praised the free healthcare facilities in Sindh, calling them better than those in many welfare states around the world. Additionally, he recommended resuming the exchange of inter-provincial delegations to promote unity and understanding.
Secretary General of the PFUJ, Arshad Ansari, stated that the PPP has consistently stood by journalists in all circumstances. He described the PPP as a party of workers and martyrs who have always championed the rights of journalists.
He shared that journalists visiting from Lahore had the opportunity to explore smaller towns in Sindh, including Thar, and were impressed by the healthcare facilities. He noted that the atmosphere in Mithi reminded them of Murree.
He also praised the treatment of cancer using CyberKnife technology as a significant achievement of the Sindh government.
At the ceremony, Mazhar Abbas stated
that the PPP and the Sindh government have never exerted pressure on journalists regarding news coverage. He emphasized that the true strength of the PPP has always come from its workers, student bodies, and farmers’ unions.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also presented shields and gifts of Sindhi cultural items Ajrak and Topi to the distinguished guests.