Untold Truth
PFUJ seek details from Newspapers employees for submitting claims of 7th Wage Board Award before the ITNE
Jul 16th
Dear All !
The Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees, Islamabad has formally admitted for regular hearing the cases of the newspapers, wheelies, etc listed below for regular hearing lodged by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) for scouring the implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award along with arrears of the wages, fringe benefits w.e.f. Ist July 200 to todate.
The cases which has been admitted for hearing and notices has been issued by the ITNE includes ;
Daily Aftab, Quetta, Daily Awam,. Quetta, Daily Baluchistan News, Quetta, Daily Baluchistan, Times (Eng), Quetta, Daily Inqilab, Quetta,Daily Jang, Quetta, Daily Mashriq, Quetta, Daily Sadaqat, Quetta, Daily Shafqat, Quetta, Daily Zamana, Quetta, Daily Aittemad, Quetta, Daily Meezan, Quetta, Daily Tameer-e-Baluchistan, Quetta, Daily Nawa-e-Watan, Quetta, Daily Independent, Quetta , Daily Lashkar, Quetta, Daily Dunia, Quetta , Daily Bakhabar, Quetta, Daily Intikhab, Quetta, Daily Kohistan International, Quetta, Daily Pakistan Observer, Islamabad, Daily Inqlalab-e-Nau, Quetta, Daily The Aasap, Quetta, Daily The Nazim, Quetta, Daily The Asir-e-Nau, Monthly The Purbat, Quetta, Monthly Akhbar Baluchistan, Quetta, Monthly The Milli Istaqlal, Quetta, Monthly Zameer Pan, Quetta, Monthly The Sisat, Quetta, Monthly The Chung,, Quetta, Monthly More, Lahore.
You are requested to circulate this notice among the members of your respective Union of Journalists. You are also requested to display this notice on the notice board of your Union, Office, newspapers centers, press clubs building and ask the employees if any one is interested to claim any outstanding amount in terms of the 7th Wage Board Award, immediately furnish following information as early as possible so as to peruse their claims for recovery ;
Name of the Employee;
Designation;
Date of appointment;
Job descriptions,/ duties being performed;
Grade if allowed by the management ?
Salary /wages already received w.,e.f. 1-7-2000 to-date ?
difference of amount /salary/ wages/ fringe benefits already received viz viz 7th Wage Board Award ?
You are also requested to immediately furnish the above information / details so as to contest their cases before the ITNE
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
PFUJ flays NLA Ban on the first blind Journalist and Columnist of Pakistan
Jul 18th
Islamabad; July 18:- Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the act of the Chairman, National Language Authority to ban the first blind Journalist and columnist of Pakistan from contributing columns in newspapers and termed it a step to suppress the right of expression as envisaged under Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
In a statement issued on Sunday the PFUJ pointed out that Freedom of expression was the right of every citizen as per Article 19 of 1973 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan as well as the UN Charter – Basic Human Rights.
It is very unfortunate that Syed Sardar Ahmed Prizadah, a well respected and known Columnists, Writer, Editor, Anchor, who also served as a sub editor in a national newspaper and the first blind Journalists in Pakistan who has been denied his right of writing columns in newspapers on the pretext that there was a bar under Government Servant Contract Rule 1964 imposed by Mr. Iftikhar Arif, Chairman, NLA where he has been working for the last 22 years in Grade 17 as Public Relations Officer.
Mr. Prizadah had been contributing and educating his readers through his well thought and researched columns for the last four years after taking permission from the then Chairman NLA like other government servants. However, all of a sudden the present NLA Chief found that “a disabled blind under his thumb was violating the Government Servant Contract Rules.
PFUJ reminded that Chairman, NAA as well as a number of government officers were regularly contributing columns in various newspapers, besides taking part in talk show programmes in various TV Channels as analysts including Orya Jan Maqbool, Aslam Dogar, Dr. Hussain Paracha, Amjad Islam Amjad, Attaul Haq Qasmi, Perveen Shakir, Dr. Safdar Mahmood, Ibne Insha, and a lot of others yet no such restriction was put in operation against them.
The PFUJ expressed with regrets that in almost all the Civilized Nations, it was a universal phenomenon to support and give special attention and facilitate the disabled members of society. However, it is cruel on our part to nurture a vindictive attitude towards the disabled. Such an uncalled for act needs to be reversed as it could not be appreciated and could not be expected from a accomplished intellectual and a champion of humanity and freedom of expression, like Mr. Iftikhar Arif, PFUJ observed.
Critically analyzing the ban the PFUJ noted that it might be a problem of personal ego some one in NLA which was the actual hurdle and not the Government Servant Rule, 1964. We should appreciate the growth of blind disabled persons instead of targeting them by narrow interpretation of black laws.
Such great persons who have braved out life and emerged as brilliant intellectuals instead of becoming beggers, mosque bugs and a burden on society are very precious and valuable. Such an exceptional genius should have been lustily decorated. But what a pity that he is being targeted most unceremoniously, PFUJ added.
PFUJ strongly condemned such obnoxious acts from any quarter aimed at usurping the right of freedom of expression.
Mr. Iftikhar Arif is himself a known and top ranking literarily figure such a callous attitude from whom is not reflective of his personality and is simply unbecoming. Promotion of literature is exactly in consonance with the candidate of the NLA.
The PFUJ urged the Chairman, NLA to withdraw his own orders and protect a blind columnist instead of opening a new Pandora Box in the country.
The PFUJ also demanded to the Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s peoples government to scrape the black laws like the Government Servant Contract Rule 1964 promulgated by the first Military dictator Ayub, which still holds and which was enacted with a motive to suppress free thinking and expression by government servants.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
PFUJ condemned the assassination of Baloch leader Habib Jalib
Jul 18th
Islamabad; July 17:- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed concern over current wave of violence and target killing of several journalists, professionals, intellectuals and moderate politicians including Baloch leader Habib Jalib Baloch.
In fact the country needs moderate politicians in Baluchistan so that the voice of peace-loving people is raised and those who are spreading hatred and indulging in violence could be discouraged.
It is unfortunate that popular politicians, journalists, professional are being eliminated and removed from the scene by the armed groups. Now the time has come that peace lovers should unite for their survival.
The PFUJ believes that dialogue is the only option whereas armed people cannot archive their aims because fate of the oppressed people of Baluchistan can only be decided by adopting the path of peace and tranquility.
PFUJ eulogizes the services of noted author and intellectual Habib Baloch for the well-being of the people Baluchistan. Throughout his life, Jalib raised his voice on peaceful democratic forums, including newspapers, for rights of the oppressed people of Baluchistan.
The PFUJ has demanded that the real perpetrators of this cold-blooded assassination must be apprehended and brought to justice without any delay. The government must act vary fast to trace out the killers of Habib Jalib Baloch and failure to do so would fuel dissent and alienation among the people of Balochistan, it added.
Jalib was a staunch supporter of a free media and an easily accessible politician to all media outlets. He condemned the curbs on the media during the repressive military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez
Musharraf for which he had to spend jail terms. The PFUJ pays him deep respect for his support for a free media in the country in general and in Balochistan in particular.
The PFUJ offered condolences to the bereaved family and his admirers and paid rich tribute to the nationalist leader who remained committed to peaceful democratic struggle for several decades.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
ITNE DECLARED THAT PFUJ CAN CONTEST THE CAUSE OF NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES FOR SECURING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 7TH WAGE BOARD AWARD
Jul 15th
The Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees, Islamabad, has rejected the plea of the newspaper owners that the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) cannot contest and represent the cases of the newspaper employees for implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award and securing their wages and other benefits in terms of law.
The Chairman ITNE, Nasir Hussain Haideri, has given this verdict in a case titled Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists V/S Daily Asas, Rawalpindi. It may be noted that the PFUJ has filed cases against almost all the daily newspapers, weeklies, fortnightlies, monthlies, magazines, digests, periodicals and news agencies before the ITNE seeking implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award for the newspaper employees.
In all these cases, the managements took a legal objection and challenged the representative character of the PFUJ claiming that it has no jurisdiction to represent or agitate before the ITNE and file cases on behalf of newspaper employees.
The newspaper managements also took a plea that the ITNE has no jurisdiction to entertain the applications filed by the Secretary General of the PFUJ.
The learned ITNE Chairman after hearing the detail arguments of the case ruled out the objection of the managements and declared that the PFUJ lawfully can contest the cases of the newspaper employees. The decision of the ITNE is given below:
BEFORE MR. NASIR HUSSAIN HAIDERI, CHAIRMAN
IMPLEMENTATION TRIBUNAL FOR NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES
********
Case No.IT/P/7-WBA/16/SM
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists through its Secretary General
– Versus –
Daily Asas, Rawalpindi
Present: Shamsul Islam Naz for PFUJ
Mr. Abdul Matin Advocate for Management of Daily Asas, Rawalpindi
Order No.2: Dated Islamabad Wednesday the 14th July, 2010
This is a petition under section 13 of the Newspaper Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1973 read with Rule of the ITNE (Procedure & Function) Rules, 1977, filed by Mr. Shamsul Islam Naz, Secretary General, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. Notice was issued to the respondent management of Daily Asas, Rawalpindi to submit its reply. The respondent management has raised objections that this Tribunal has no jurisdiction to entertain this application, filed by the Secretary General, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The management has stated that the petitioner is not a representative of Trade Unions, registered under the law. He has also objected that this Tribunal is barred by the Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1973 or the Rules framed there-under to entrust its power conferred on it by the legislature on the public at large or to any employee of the organization and he requested for cancellation of the suit.
2. On the other hand the petitioner while supporting his application stated that section 13, sub-section (6) of the Newspaper Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1973 empower this Tribunal to require from a newspaper establishment to file a declaration in such form and give such information as the Tribunal may determine or require. The petitioner also contended that this Tribunal is meant for implementation of the Wage Board Award. The petitioner also contended that Wage Board Award is constituted under Section 9 of the NECOSA, 1973 to safeguard the interest of employees. He concluded that Section 2 (d) of the Act defines that ‘newspaper employee’ means any person employed to do any work in the newspaper establishment. He also referred Section 2 (gg) and (h) which relate to the constitution of this Tribunal and payment of wages under the Wages Act to the employees. Counsel for the management while arguing his case stated that this Tribunal can only invoke jurisdiction under Section 13 (6), while requiring from the newspaper establishment to file a declaration in such form and give such information as the Tribunal may determine. On the other hand the petitioner has stated that any aggrieved person has the right to move to this Tribunal for wages right and if not, the Tribunal may take Suo-Motu action against the management and there is no bar moving any application to this Tribunal. The petitioner stated that he is Secretary General of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists which is the authorized union to defend the rights of the employees of the newspaper establishment. The petitioner has stated in his application that Federal Government has constituted a Wage Board Award which is effective since July, 2000 and according to section 15 of the NECOSA, 1973, decision of the Board is binding on all employees.
3. In notice issued by this office, it is clear that this Tribunal has initiated Suo-Motu action under section 13 of the Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1973 and has registered the case against the respondent management. The application of the petitioner is maintainable. The objections raised by the respondent management are ruled out. Respondent management is directed to furnish the duly filled in declaration form, copy of the salary register and attendance register, copy of certificate to employees to the effect that case is pending before this Tribunal and three sample copies of the publication.
4. The case is adjourned to 21/09/2010.
Sd/- (NASIR HUSSAIN HAIDERI) Chairman
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
Resolution in Pakistan Attempts to Undermine Media Freedom – IFJ
Jul 12th
slamabad; July 12 :- A resolution passed by a provincial parliament in Pakistan is a crude attempt to silence journalists and will fail, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution on July 9 condemning the role of the media and accusing it of “irresponsible behaviour” following coverage of fake degrees held by members of parliament, according to media reports.
The resolution, which was passed unanimously by the assembly, said some media coverage was being used as political propaganda, leading to public representatives being maligned, according to the reports.
The IFJ joined its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in demanding the resolution be withdrawn.
“This resolution by the Punjab Assembly is extremely worrying to the IFJ as it shows a total disregard for the media’s crucial role in reporting important matters relating to good governance in Pakistan,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.
“It would be a sensible move for Pakistan’s members of parliament who have concerns about media content to engage in dialogue with journalists and the media rather than use their assemblies to condemn the professional practices of journalists reporting in the public interest.”
The PFUJ called for demonstrations against the resolution, and protest rallies were held by district unions of journalists in numerous cities and towns including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, Sukkur, Peshawar and Quetta.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
