Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists to observe November 3 as "Black Day"

PFUJ

ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), term November 3, as one of the "Blackest Day," when a military dictator imposed emergency, sacked 60 judges and banned around 50 private TV news channels and FM radio, and demanded repeal of all black laws against the media

"All actions on November 3, 2007 of the ex-army chief was illegal whether against judiciary or media and government should have restored Pakistan on Nov 2nd position," PFUJ said in a statement," PFUJ said in a statement on the eve of the first anniversary of emergency in Pakistan.

Journalists will observe the day as Black Day, every year to condemn the illegal, unconstitutional action of a military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf and that too in the name of media’s irresponsibility, it said.

"Media was punished for its coverage but those who violated Constitution were give safe passage," it said.

PFUJ Kyber for showing resistance against the ban and succeeded after 78-days movement.

Journalists were beaten, detained in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Abbottabad and other parts of the country but the movement went on despite threats and registration of cases against journalists and PFUJ.

PFUJ said the International journalist community stood behind the union and sent solidarity messages and kept pressure on the regime particularly the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

PFUJ thank the lawyers, civil society, political activists, trade unions for their support in the struggle.

Former President Pervez Musharraf promulgated emergency on November 3, 2007, sacked around 60 judges including those restored by the Supreme Court on July 20th. He also banned private TV news channels, FM radio. Besides, sports and entertainment channels were also banned in a move to hit them financially.

PFUJ believe that all actions of November 3, 2007 including sacking of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other judges were illegal and unconstitutional and demanded from the government to revive the judiciary of Nov 2, repeal all black laws against the media including the controversial code of conduct of PEMRA, as amended on the orders of the previous government.

Mazhar Abbas,
 SG, PFUJ
 1.11.08