PFUJ condemns Ashura procession blast, condoles death of media man’s son, niece
PFUJ Secretariat
Media Release
ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed concern over suicide blast on main Ashura procession on M. A. Jinnah Road in Karachi in which 33 persons lost their lives, and over 60 persons were wounded seriously.
Senior reporter of Geo News Faheem Siddiqui also received injuries while his son Bazil 6, and niece Anzalna Hanif 13, lost their lives.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the PFUJ said that the incident has proved that media persons were being forced to discharge their duties in an extremely dangerous environment which often proves a death trap for them.
Commenting on the sad and tragic incident, the PFUJ said that time has come when democratic forces should unite to defeat those who have declared an open war on Pakistan, and such fanatics want to cripple the economy of the country and ruin state organs.
Such non-state actors have no love for humanity. Neither they believe in rule of law, peace or tranquility, or in Quranic teachings, Sunnah.
They want to push the country towards a state of terror, and were indulging in loot and plunder for their lust of money at the behest of anti- Pakistan forces.
The PFUJ said that time has come when we should realize the gravity of the situation and demonstrate a spirit of unity. We should declare that the entire nation and all institutions, including media, judiciary, civil society would play their role to save the country, and to give a crushing defeat to a handpicked terrorists.
The PFUJ urged the media owners that for the sake of humanity they should play a vital role at this critical juncture by ensuring full-proof arrangements for security of media persons and for their life insurance and provision of safety jackets be ensured to media persons. A comprehensive awareness campaign be also launched to tell the nation about the threats looming large over the country owing to continuous terrorist activities.
The PFUJ also expressed sympathies with Mr Fahim Siddiqui over the death of his son his niece who were killed in suicide blast, while Mr Fahim himself suffered injuries.
The PFUJ prayed to the Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the members of the bereaved family to bear this loss.
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi- Islamabad Union of Journalists, in a statement expressing sympathy with Mr. Fahim Siddiqui family and termed this incident a tragic prayed to the God Almighty to rest the departed souls and courage to the bereaved family to bear such great loss.
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