Islamabad : Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) successfully held its General Body Meeting under the chairmanship of RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk, where members were briefed in detail on the union’s year-long struggle for the protection of journalists’ rights and freedom of the press.
All speakers at the meeting highly appreciated the collective performance of the RIUJ leadership and paid tribute to the union for its effective role in safeguarding journalists’ professional and economic rights.
Addressing the gathering, RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk informed members that as a result of the union’s sustained struggle, legal action and effective representation, more than Rs. 770 million in outstanding dues of journalists and media workers were successfully recovered through ITNE, terming it a major and historic achievement. He also shed light on the ongoing struggle against the PECA Act, efforts for the protection of press freedom, and initiatives taken to resolve issues faced by journalists at various levels, including matters related to New Town Police Station and other institutions.
Acting General Secretary, Gulzar Khan, presented the comprehensive annual performance report, highlighting protest movements, legal and parliamentary efforts, actions taken against forced layoffs, initiatives for the economic welfare of journalists, and various welfare activities undertaken by the union during the year.
Meanwhile, Bashir Usmani presented the finance report, briefing the house on the union’s financial affairs and transparent administrative measures. Both the performance and finance reports were unanimously approved by the General Body.
President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt, addressed the meeting and spoke in detail about the challenges faced by journalism in the country.
The meeting was also addressed by PFUJ former Secretary General Nasir Zaidi, Fauzia Shahid, President of the Press Club Azhar Jatoi, Secretary Nayyar Ali, former RIUJ Presidents Anwar Raza, Mubarak Zaib, Ali Raza Alvi, Abid Abbasi, Aamir Sajjad Syed, Shehryar Khan, former RIUJ Secretary General Bilal Dar, and Finance Secretary Asghar Chaudhry, among others.
A large number of senior journalists and union members including Waqar Abbasi, Kashan Akmal, Zaman Mughal, Javed Bhagat, Qurban Satti, Kashif Rafiq, Sardar Shahid, Asif Hamdani, Malik Khizar, Rashid Malik, Mudassar Lang, Tanveer Khokhar, Raja Javed, Sehrish Qureshi, Ihtesham-ul-Haq, Shah Muhammad, Naveed Sheikh, Asim Jilani, Shahid Ajmal, and hundreds of others attended the meeting.
At the conclusion, President Tariq Ali Virk thanked the PFUJ leadership, RIUJ office-bearers including Secretary Asif Bashir Chaudhry, Acting Secretary Khan Gulzar Hussain, Finance Secretary Nadeem Chaudhry, Joint Secretary Mujahid Naqvi, Senior Vice President Bashir Usmani, Vice President Ammar Barlas, members of the Executive Body Ali Akhtar, Tauseef Abbasi, Rana Farhan, Ghafran Ahmed Chishti, Nawabzada Shah, Ali Asad Sher, Afshan Qureshi, Asma Nawaz, Sobia Musharraf, Aftab Jahan, and all participants for their cooperation.
The General Body unanimously expressed full confidence in the RIUJ leadership, reaffirming its commitment to continue the struggle for press freedom, dignity, and the protection of journalists’ rights. The participants expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the meeting and resolved to further strengthen the collective struggle of the union.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
