Govt To Empower Journalists Protection Commission, Ensure Female Representation

Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published July 16, 2025 | 06:10 PM

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jul, 2025) The Information Department Govt Sindh, has decided to seek cabinet approval for empowering the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners. The proposed measures include ensuring female journalists' representation in the commission and granting authority to take action against officials who fail to respond to the commission's communications.

The decisions were made during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh’s Senior Minister and Provincial Information Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon here on Wednesday.

The meeting resolved to present an amendment bill in the Sindh Assembly to ensure women’s representation within the commission.

Key participants included Information Secretary Nadeem ur Rehman Memon, Commission Chairman Ejaz Ahmed Memon, Secretary Saeed Memon, and members Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khattak, Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan, Mazhar Abbas, and Ubaidullah. The meeting featured a detailed briefing on the commission's performance in protecting journalists across the province.

Chairman Ejaz Ahmed Memon informed the meeting that since 2023, the commission has convened 18 meetings, discussed various journalist safety cases. Reports related to these cases have been requested from the police and the Home Department as per the commission’s decisions.

Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon directed the chairman to draft the proposed amendments, stating that he would personally present the amendment bill in the Assembly. “Protecting journalists is a top priority for the Sindh government,” he emphasized.

He also noted that, under existing laws, media owners are responsible for journalists’ life insurance and professional training. Letters have already been sent to media houses, urging compliance with the law.

Furthermore, the senior minister instructed the commission chairman to send formal letters to media organizations to ensure implementation of the government-mandated minimum wage for media workers.