Tribute paid to martyred tribal journalists

Ashrafuddin Pirzada

KHYBER AGENCY: Tribal journalists from Fata have arranged a welcome party for newly elected cabinet at TUJ office in Peshawar and paid tribute to the martyred tribal journalists on Monday.

A large number of tribal journalists were present at the party who formally welcomed the newly elected cabinet and handed them over the official business from the outgoing TUJ slots holders. They offered Quran Khani and special prayers for the martyred journalists including Deewa Radio reporter, Mukaram Khan Atif, who a month ago was assassinated in the line of duty.   

Speak on the occasion, TUJ elected president and general secretary for the year of 2012, President Safdar Hayat Dawar and Akmal Khan Qadri, said in their speeches that so far 12 tribal journalists have been killed and many others were compelled to leave their hometowns. They also paid a warm tribute to  Mukaram Khan Atif for his bold and courageous reporting.

The speakers said devotion and sincerity of the tribal journalists with their professions proven that despite several challenges and threats they did not compromise over bold and authentic reporting.

“There is no doubt on the patriotism of the tribal journalists but likewise others people journalists are also patriotic and love their motherland”, Akmal Khan Qadri remarked.  He urged the tribal journalists to cooperate them to overcome from the challenges and threats they face.  The newly elected cabinet was assured by the tribal journalist for their full cooperation and support.

The cabinet asked the government and other concern authorities to provide full proof security and life benefits for the tribal journalists as they were not been given their rights.

Safdar and Qadri thanked the tribal journalists for the support and vowed that they will not use the TUJ platform for their personal interests but for the welfare of the tribal journalists.

Erlier, polling was held on Sunday where a large number of tribal journalists from the all seven tribal agencies and Peshawar Frontier Regions (FRs) polled their votes. Safdar Hayat Dawar was elected for his second consecutive tenure as President of Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) along with his fresh colleague Akmal Khan Qadri who secured General Secretary seat. Muhammad Baloch, vice president was the top scorer who got 103 votes out of 161.

The rest of the elected cabinet members were Anwarullah Khan Senior, vice president, Muhammad Baloch, vice president, Dildar Hussain Khaksar, finance secretary, Shah Zaman Mehsud as joint secretary and Muhammad Rasool Dawar press secretary.