Kotli (PID) World Press Freedom Day was observed on May 3 in Kotli by the Association of Journalists and Information Services calling on the Government of India in Jammu and Kashmir to respect the freedom of press and media.
Government District Press Agency AJK Kotli organized a ‘Walk and Panel Discussion’ to highlight the state of press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir.
Participants in the discussion expressed deep concern about the erosion 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.
Senior activist Tariq Lone said, “Occupied Kashmir has become an army unit after August 5, 2019, every voice is silenced by the Indian Army and freedom of speech is banned.”
On this occasion, respect is paid to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
The meeting was chaired by Assistant Director of Information Shaukat Ali Malik, President of District Club Shahnawaz Butt Cheshisham was the chief guest.
General Secretary of District Press Club Rizwan Qureshi, Vice President of District Press Club Shehbaz Hydari, President of Electronics Association Sardar Imanaz Khan, Ex General Secretary of District Press Club Tariq Lone, Ex Vice President of District Press Club Zamrad Chaudhry, Anzamam Chaudhry, Abdul Qadir. Among the participants was Ehtishamul Haq and others.
Rizwan Qureshi honored Press Club Founder Alhaj Muhammad Manzoor Qureshi, Press Club Founder Latif Jafari, Founder Member Muhammad Bashir Qureshi, Founder Member Zaher Hasan Javed, Journalists 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 meeting on the occasion of World Journalism Day and said freedom of press is impossible without solving all problems of journalists related to Azad Kashmir media sector. Azad said that journalists from all over Kashmir are rendering important services in the field of journalism. At the end of the discussion, prayers for national unity and independence of occupied Kashmir from India and martyrdom were recited.
