ISLAMABAD: The Journalist Foundation held an oath-taking ceremony for its newly elected body, which was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Raja Osama Sarwar, MNA and member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Huma Akhtar Chughtai, National Press Club President Abdul Razzaq Sial, Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao, Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Focal Person Farzana Kausar, Punjab Arts Council Director Muhammad Shakoor, and a large number of journalists.MNA Huma Akhtar Chughtai, who is also a member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, administered the oath to the newly elected office-bearers of the Journalist Foundation.
Addressing the ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Raja Osama Sarwar and MNA Huma Akhtar Chughtai said journalism is the fourth pillar of the state and plays a vital role in strengthening democracy and keeping the public informed.They said responsible and impartial journalism serves as an effective bridge between state institutions and the public. They stressed that accuracy, research and verification of news must always be given priority.National Press Club President Abdul Razzaq Sial, Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao and Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi appreciated the efforts of the Journalist Foundation for the welfare of the journalist community and expressed their support for its initiatives.They said the National Press Club stands with the Journalist Foundation and would continue to extend all possible cooperation for the welfare and betterment of journalists.Journalist Foundation President Z.A. Malik and General Secretary Riffaqat Hussain said all representative journalist organisations should work together in a spirit of cooperation and unity to address the collective issues facing the journalist community.
Farzana Kausar, Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Punjab Arts Council Director Muhammad Shakoor, Waqar Fani Mughal and others also addressed the ceremony.Those who took oath included Journalist Foundation President Z.A. Malik, General Secretary Riffaqat Hussain, Senior Vice President Riaz Akhtar, Vice President Saifullah, Finance Secretary Aamir Mehboob, Senior Vice President Zameer Muhammad, Joint Secretary Haleema Gilani, Joint Secretary Qamar Rashid, Chief Coordinator Kausar Qureshi, and Governing Body members Faiza Shah, Aoosh Awan, Khalid Jamil, Salahuddin Khan, Rizwan Malik, Muhammad Akhlaq, Waqas Khaliq, Tahir Iqbal, Muhammad Tufail, Umar Farooq, Yasir Hussain, Nisar Saim and Shehzad Imtiaz.
