QUETTA: We fed up by lifting bodies of colleagues killed during duty. Government can insure offices and machinery for its security but takes no step for those who work by sitting on explosives for the owners. We would take decision to hold protest demonstration in front of Parliament on August 27 and 28 against this attitude.

This was stated by former President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Afzal Butt while addressing Martyrs of Journalism Day at Quetta Press Club here Sunday.

President BUJ Hamadullah, President Quetta Press Club Shahzada Zulfiqar, President Balochistan Editors Council Anwar Sajidi, Coordinator ROZON Syed Ali and others also spoke.

He said when APC was held in Quetta he had a meeting with Shaheed Irshad Mastoi and we exchanged views with journalists about Balochistan. He was sitting in Islamabad when a channel man phoned him and told that an incident took place in which three journalists including Irshad mastoid had been martyred. It was most painful for him. He said several tragic incidents took place in Balochistan. BUJ told in a meeting that government and security institutions do not take ay measures for security of journalists in Balochistan. We had decided if any incident takes place now on we would not care for news but gather all DSNGs at the Press club and move jointly for coverage.

Again another friend Shshzad and another wee martyred. He said there is need that we should not become news instead of tracing a news and shold report very carefully.

He regretted of Media Houses owners who have got their offices and camera insured but di nothing for those doing reporting by sitting on explosive.

He said PFUJ meeting has been convened on August 27 and 28. It would organize protest demonstration for the security and payment of compensation of journalists form B Balochistan and would register a case against owners if any journalist was martyred.

BUJ President Hamadullah said we have to adopt measures to ensure our security at our own. He said after every incident we demand of the government for security and compensation. We have handed over list of 27 martyred journalists to the government but Government accepted only 13 applications and of these seven have been paid compensation. We demand of the government would be make demands for our rights but would not accept compensation like beggars.

President Quetta Press Club Shahzada Zulfiqar said five incidents have taken place with us but policy we made for our security was not implemented. He said we decided to gather all the DSNGs at Press Cub which would then go for coverage jointly but it could not be done and therefore August 8 incident took place. We condemn this and pay tributes or martyrs.

Earlier Fateha was also offered for souls of martyred journalists. Hamadullah led the Fateha.-PPI