Kotli (PID) World Press Freedom Day was observed on May 3 in Kotli by Journalists Society and Information Department calling on the Government of India in Jammu and Kashmir to respect freedom of press and media.
Government District Media Information Office AJK Kotli organized a ‘Walk and Panel Discussion’ to highlight the media freedom situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants in the discussion expressed deep concern over the destruction of human rights and freedom of expression in Jammu and Kashmir, which was adopted on August 5, 2019, especially following the illegal actions of India.
“Occupied Kashmir has become an army unit after August 5, 2019, every voice has been silenced by the Indian Army and freedom of speech has been banned,” said senior activist Tariq Lone.
Honors are paid to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on this occasion.
The meeting was chaired by Assistant Director of Information Shaukat Ali Malik, District Club President Shahnawaz Butt was the chief guest of Chekisham.
General Secretary District Press Club Rizwan Qureshi, Vice President District Press Club Shehbaz Hydari, President Electronics Association Sardar Imanaz Khan, Former General Secretary District Press Club Tariq Lone, former Vice President District Press Club Zamrad Chaudhry, Anzamam Chaudhry, Abdul Qadir. Among the participants was Ehtishamul Haq and others.
Rizwan Qureshi paid tribute to Press Club Founder Alhaj Muhammad Manzoor Qureshi, Press Club Founder General Secretary Latif Jafari, Muhammad Bashir Qureshi Founder Member, Zaher Hasan Javed Founder Member, Journalist Association Founder and Former President Mumtaz Shamim. Journalist Irfan Qureshi, former president of Nikyal Press Club Abrar Shah Nikyal, Sikandar Kamran. , Syed Ashraf Shah Chadhoi, Mahmud Bukhari Sahansa, Raja Sajjad Hoirta, Chaudhry Maksud Hoirta, Muhammad Hussain Azad Hoirta, Gurdawar Muhammad Hussain Hoirta, Syed Mukbal Gilani Sirsawah, Haji Salim Qureshi.
Sardar Amanaz expressed his opinion on the problems faced by journalists related to electronic media and demanded to solve them. District Press Club President Shahnawaz Butt welcomed the Panel discussion on the occasion of World Journalism Day and said freedom of press is impossible without solving all problems of journalists related to media sector in Azad Kashmir. Azad said that journalists from all over Kashmir are rendering important services in the field of journalism. At the end of the discussion, the promotion of national unity and independence of occupied Kashmir from India and a prayer for martyrdom was recited.
