Appeal for financial assistance for flood affected Pakistani Journalists

Appeal for financial assistance for flood affected Pakistani Journalists

You might be aware that Pakistan is passing through very hard times as it has already been under great pressure and threat because of the open war launched by the Taliban against peaceful citizens especially the media persons. However, to the bad luck almost 70 percent of the area of the country is hit by the worst ever devastating floods which is unprecedented in the history of floods of the sub continent for over 150 years.

Devastating floods, accompanied by torrential rains, have claimed lives of more than 1683 people and 8487 have been injured while 6374 villages have been destroyed, 81187 heads of cattle have been perished, and more than 9,893,817 acres of cultivated land has been affected.

Not only this, the entire population of Pakistan sustaining unbelievable and unbearable economic consequences, shortage of fruits, vegetables and other eatables has been swept by a flood of high prices.

Non-availability of various commodities is also affecting livestock besides economically crippling a large population living in the flood affected areas. Initial reports reveal that more than 20 million people have become homeless and economically ruined by floods. More than 6 million victims need aid for survival. How much damage has been caused by the floods can be judged from the words of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who during his visit to the affected areas said that “I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this”.

In such circumstances, the media persons are more severely affected as they are already underpaid as their salaries were not increased since 1^st July 1996 and since then prices of all commodities have gone up from 400 to 600 per cent without any relief from media owners.

A female journalist Asma Anwar of Noshehra died due to floods. The latest reports reaching our Secretariat revealed that houses of more than 287 journalists were completely damaged in Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Rojhan, Sohbatpur, Uta Mohammad, Gandakha, Rojhan Jamali, Dera Allahyar, Makran, Sakardu, Gilgit, Baltistan, Khaplu, Mehdiabad, Kalam, Swat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mehdiabad, Swabi, Bajaur, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Malakand, Chitral, Karak, Tank, Hairpur, Dir, Takhtbai, Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, Liyyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur, Jhang, Sargodha, Lodhran, Sargodha, Ghotki, Sukkur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Nawabshah, Thatta, Jampur, Karpur, and Sanghar, Jacoabad and Hyderabad.

It may be noted that media persons in Pakistan are passing through tough times and are being terrorized by Taliban and fanatics and the floods have further aggravated their miseries. All those media-persons who were dislocated, affected, killed or injured and whose houses were completely or partially damaged need compensation. The loss of human life and infrastructure is colossal and miseries of the affected are unbelievable.

For assistance and rehabilitation of the media persons we have established a victims fund an account titled “Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Account No. 25574 National Bank ofPakistan, Corporate Branch, Super Market, Islamabad, Pakistan” has been opened.

We appeal to you in the name of the humanity to come forwarded with liberal and generous assistance of the calamity hit journalists ofPakistan.

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk

IFJ Backs Appeal to Journalists Over Media Victims of Pakistan Flood Disaster

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the global media community to show solidarity with its Pakistani affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), which has launched an appeal for support to media victims of the floods which have devastated many areas of the country.

"This is a terrible event and journalists' unions around the world need to do all they can to assist media victims," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "Pakistani colleagues count on our solidarity to overcome the loss of life and livelihood they have suffered in these floods."

The PFUJ says that one journalist, Asma Anwar of Noshehra lost his life due to floods and 213 others have been made homeless in a number of areas around the country.

As the desperate situation has intensified the PFUJ is appealing for urgent donations to provide humanitarian aid to journalists and their families who have been injured, displaced or made homeless.

Donations can be sent to the following account: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Account No. 25574 National Bank of Pakistan, Corporate Branch, Super Market, Islamabad, Pakistan.

The IFJ says that the latest disaster has further weakened the position of many of the country's journalists who are working under the most testing conditions with low wages, often paid with considerable delays. The IFJ says media employers must do more to end the exploitation of media staff.

"The hardship caused by the floods is likely to prove too much to bear for many colleagues who already struggle to make a living in journalism," added White. "Our solidarity and generous assistance will make a considerable difference in their lives. But we need to act fast."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 235 2207

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk

PFUJ sought financial assistance for floods affected Pakistani Journalists

PFUJ sought financial assistance for floods affected Pakistani Journalists

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has appealed to the international community, journalists, human rights organizations and overseas Pakistanis to generously support journalists affected by the floods.

In an appeal, the PFUJ said that the people of Pakistan, including a large number of journalists, have been hit by the worst ever floods in the country’s history.

Devastating floods, accompanied by torrential rains, have claimed lives of more than 1683 people and injured 8487 persons while 6374 villages have been destroyed, 81187 cattle have perished, and more than 9,893,817 acres of cultivated land has been affected across the country.

Not only this, the entire population of Pakistan sustaining unbelievable and unbearable economic consequences, shortage of fruits, vegetables and other eatables has been swept by a flood of high prices.

Non-availability of various commodities is also affecting livestock besides economically crippling a large population living in the flood affected areas. Initial reports reveal that more than 20 million people have become homeless and economically ruined by floods. More than 6 million victims need aid for survival.

In such prevailing circumstances, the media persons are more severely affected as they are already underpaid as their salaries were not increased since 1^st July 1996 and since then prices of all commodities have gone up from 400 to 600 per cent without any relief from media owners.

The PFUJ pointed out that a female journalist Asma Anwar of Noshehra died due to floods. Likewise, houses of more than 213 journalists were completely damaged in Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Makran, Sakardu, Gilgit, Baltistan, Khaplu, Mehdiabad, Kalam, Swat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mehdiabad, Swabi, Bajaur, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Malakand, Chitral, Karak, Tank, Dir, Takhtbai, Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, Liyyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur, Jang, Sargodha, Lodhran, Sargodha, Ghotki, Sukkur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Nawabshah, Thatta, Jampur, Karpur, and Sanghar.

According to the PFUJ, media persons in Pakistan are passing through tough times and are being terrorized by Taliban and other religious fanatics and the floods have further aggravated their miseries.

All those media-persons who were dislocated, affected, killed or injured and whose houses were completely or partially damaged need compensation and rehabilitation.

The PFUJ has established a victims fund in Islamabad for which an account titled “Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Account No. 25574 National Bank of Pakistan, Corporate Branch, Super Market, Islamabad, Pakistan” has been opened.

The loss of human life and infrastructure is colossal and miseries of the affected are unbelievable. The PFUJ said that it was high time that the international community, journalists, human rights organizations came forward and generously supported the victims of the disastrous floods.

The PFUJ has appealed to donor agencies, philanthropists, international community, journalists, and human rights organisations and well-to-do persons to generously donate towards the PFUJ victims fund.

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk

PFUJ sets up victims fund

PFUJ sets up victims fund

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11:- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has appealed to the international community, journalists, human rights organizations and overseas Pakistanis to generously support journalists affected by the floods.

In an appeal, the PFUJ said that the people of Pakistan, including a large number of journalists, have been hit by the worst ever floods in the country’s history.

Devastating floods, accompanied by torrential rains, have claimed lives of more than 1683 people and injured 8487 persons while 6374 villages have been destroyed, 81187 cattle have perished, and more than 9,893,817 acres of cultivated land has been affected across the country.

Not only this, the entire population of Pakistan sustaining unbelievable and unbearable economic consequences, shortage of fruits, vegetables and other eatables has been swept by a flood of high prices.

Non-availability of various commodities is also affecting livestock besides economically crippling a large population living in the flood affected areas. Initial reports reveal that more than 20 million people have become homeless and economically ruined by floods. More than 6 million victims need aid for survival.

In such prevailing circumstances, the media persons are more severely affected as they are already underpaid as their salaries were not increased since 1^st July 1996 and since then prices of all commodities have gone up from 400 to 600 per cent without any relief from media owners.

The PFUJ pointed out that a female journalist Asma Anwar of Noshehra died due to floods. Likewise, houses of more than 213 journalists were completely damaged in Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Makran, Sakardu, Gilgit, Baltistan, Khaplu, Mehdiabad, Kalam, Swat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mehdiabad, Swabi, Bajaur, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Malakand, Chitral, Karak, Tank, Dir, Takhtbai, Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, Liyyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur, Jang, Sargodha, Lodhran, Sargodha, Ghotki, Sukkur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Nawabshah, Thatta, Jampur, Karpur, and Sanghar.

According to the PFUJ, media persons in Pakistan are passing through tough times and are being terrorized by Taliban and other religious fanatics and the floods have further aggravated their miseries.

All those media-persons who were dislocated, affected, killed or injured and whose houses were completely or partially damaged need compensation and rehabilitation.

The PFUJ has established a victims fund in Islamabad for which an account titled “Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Account No. 25574 National Bank of Pakistan, Corporate Branch, Super Market, Islamabad, Pakistan” has been opened.

The loss of human life and infrastructure is colossal and miseries of the affected are unbelievable. The PFUJ said that it was high time that the international community, journalists, human rights organizations came forward and generously supported the victims of the disastrous floods.

The PFUJ has appealed to donor agencies, philanthropists, international community, journalists, and human rights organisations and well-to-do persons to generously donate towards the PFUJ victims fund.

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk

PFUJ stress on unity

PFUJ stress on unity

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has said that at a time when the country is passing through a critical period as floods have affected millions of people and there is a threat of terrorism, the country needs unity, and it is high time that all democratic forces should shun their differences to save the country from those who have launched an open war on the country and for helping millions of flood hit people.

Taking serious notice of complaints of a leading media group and some channels regarding “intimidation and tactics to subjugate free media,” the PFUJ urged the government and media tycoons to take into account the prevailing situation where all state organs, including media persons, are under direct target of terrorists, besides over 20 million are directly affected with the wrath of one of the worst ever floods in Pakistan.

The entire country is affected by floods and rains and millions of people have lost home and hearths or have suffered economic losses which is stated to be over 40 billion US dollars.

At such a critical juncture where miseries of the affected people cannot be resolved by the government alone, we need unity in our ranks and files, the PFUJ argued.

It further said that that the current state of affairs demands that all institutions in the country help calm down the situation and work together to help the flood stricken people to strengthen democracy, and save the country from the wrath of non-state actors and aftermath of the floods.

It also said that efforts be made to rehabilitate the flood affected population which is a gigantic task and still we are under the grip of floods and devastating rains, while the non state actors are also active in their nefarious designs.

Expressing concern over on-going tug of war between the government and the Geo / Jang group, the PFUJ pleaded that it was high time such a tense situation is resolved with prudence in the wake of the precarious situation of the country.

However, the PFUJ made it clear that any attempt to victimise the group would be taken very seriously.

The PFUJ observed that owing to tussle between government and media group the livelihood of hundreds and thousands of workers associated with the Jang Group would also jeopardize.

The PFUJ, which has a long and golden history of struggle and had rendered sacrifices to safeguard freedom of the press and expression during successive military dictatorships and would continue its fight to protect press freedom and democracy in Pakistan, it said.

To pursue these twin objectives, the PFUJ has stressed the government to accept media criticism with open heart which would help it improve governance, accountability, transparency and socio-economic situation in the country.

The PPP government has a good record to deal the media with open heart and it should maintain such a record which would ultimately enhance its image in the country and abroad.

The PFUJ is optimistic that the PPP government, which has a history of sacrifices for a democratic Pakistan, would continue to follow the golden principles envisioned by its assassinated leadership, for the cause of democratic values, rule of law, betterment of oppressed and depressed classes.

The PFUJ said that it is also a high time for media conglomerates, to respect rule of law, extend all the lawful benefits to their employees in line with the 7th Wage Board Award, ensure safety and protection of media persons, life insurance and their capacity building.

This is the same apathy and callousness which the media owners have been displaying for years by denying financial rights in the shape of 7th Wage Award to their employees while they were themselves building huge empires, the PFUJ regretted.

The PFUJ urged the media owners to ensure payment of salaries to their employees which are unpaid in most of media houses for months together, It also demanded reinstatement of all sacked employees.

The PFUJ reminded that in the past two years over 600 media workers have been sacked without payment of any lawful dues and in violation of laws. The media owners should also consider such cases for reinstatement.

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk

PFUJ lays stress on unity

PFUJ lays stress on unity