PFUJ wants safety measurers for journalists
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has urged the media owners to take appropriate measures for the safety of their staff particularly during February 18th election.
Strongly condemning bomb blast aimed at a Press Conference of a candidate in Kuzdar which resulted in injuries to six journalists, Secretary General PFUJ Mazhar Abbas in a statement termed the situation alarming as the incident took place within 48-hours after the murder of a senior journalist in Quetta.
According to information, those who got injured were Ayub Baluch, GEO Munir Noor, Rang tv, Abdullah, KTN and two stingers Latif Baluch and Munir Shakir. The Secretary General PFUJ said that the Journalists may find very difficult to cover elections in such a situation without preventive safety measures. “They may not be the direct target but can become soft victims as most of them often remained close during rallies and public meetings, the statement said.
Like in the tribal areas of Wana, Wazirston or Swat, reporting is difficult for journalists in Baluchistan as well. Some foreign journalists have also faced difficulties in reporting but some Pakistani journalists had been killed, kidnapped and tortured for covering dangerous assignments, the statement added.
In a highly charged and volatile situation as at present the journalists, photojournalists and cameramen must take extra safety measures and we appeal to the media owners to provide them bullet proof jackets and get them fully insured,” it said.
PFUJ has also condemned police accesses against two journalists in different cities of Punjab at the hands of the police particularly the incident with a Edition incharge of The NEWS, Lahore, Hiraj.
PFUJ said government has completely failed to provide any kind of securitynor were able to solve the mystery of cases of violence against journalists. “ If government can not arrest anyone in the murders of 26 journalists ineight years in Pakistan, there is little we expect from them now. However, the media owners must fulfil their responsibilities in safeguarding their employees,” it said.