The newly elected body of Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Committee took oath on Friday.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Sibtain Khan administered the oath to the newly elected office-bearers of Press Gallery. He administered oath to President Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Akhlaq Bajwa and Secretary Hassaan Ahmed. Addressing the ceremony, Speaker Muhammad Sibtain Khan congratulated the newly elected office bearers of the Press Gallery Committee. He said that journalist community reposed full confidence in Akhlaq Bajwa and Hassaan Ahmed and hoped that they will resolve the issues of their community.
He said Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Committee has an important role for dissemination of Assembly proceedings to the general public. He said that Assembly secretariat was incomplete without Press Gallery. He said that the importance of journalism cannot be denied for development in any country and journalists’ role is important for promotion of democracy in the country. He expressed hope that newly elected committee would play its due role for promotion of stability and harmony. He said that journalists played a role of bridge between public representatives and general public.
Speaking on the occasion, Sibtain Khan said that the constructive criticism is always a guideline for both the treasury and opposition benches. “I strongly believe in press freedom and there is also a responsibility that journalists shouldn’t file any news without proper research,” Speaker said. He further added that freedom of press and rights of journalists would be ensured and entry of journalists in Assembly Secretariat will also be restored. Speaker will also hold a meeting with both the President and Secretary of Press Gallery on Monday to address the issues faced by the journalists.
Later, addressing the ceremony, President Press Gallery Committee Akhlaq Ahmad Bajwa highlighted the issues being faced by the journalist’s community in Punjab Assembly. He demanded a media room for the members of Press Gallery who cover the assembly proceedings. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Hassaan Ahmed said that this forum will be made a vibrant voice for the rights of journalist community. He said that the sanctity of Press Gallery will further be increased during the tenure of this body.
Secretary Punjab Assembly Inayat ullah Lak, Secretary General Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Arshad Ansari, Editor MinuteMirror Yousaf Rafiq, President Punjab Union of Journalists Ibrahim Lucky, senior journalists including Hassnain ur Rehman Qureshi, Shahab Jafry, former President Press Gallery Khawaja Naseer, former President Press Gallery Qamar Bhatti, Raees Ansari, Arslan Rafique Bhatti, Faizan Bangash, Nawaz Tahir, Javed Farooqi, Zahid Ch, Afzal Talib and Imran Sheikh were also present on the occasion. The ceremony was also attended by a large number of Press Gallery members, Bureau Chiefs, Editors and Chief Reporters from both print and electronic media.
