Standing Committee on Human Rights takes up issue of harassment of women journalists
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and the Chairman Standing committee on Human Rights of the National Assembly Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that raising voice against harassment is a difficult job in Pakistan. He said that women journalists have shown great courage by raising their voice against harassment. He said that the perpetrators of harassment do not belong to a certain political party. The statements of women journalists in the Standing Committee will be sent to the FIA.
Addressing a meeting of the Standing Committee on Human Rights, Chairman Bilawal said that the issue of harassment will also be discussed with other political parties and the recorded statements will be pursued till their logical end. He said that on this issue, the officials of Information Ministry and ISPR will also called.
Chairman Bilawal said that if PPP is unable to get justice for these women journalists then it will approach the court. He said that our religion and culture teaches us to protect women victims of harassment. He said that there is no justification of threats of rape or death and this is our responsibility to stand with the women journalists. Journalist anchors Ghareeda Farooqi, Asma Shirazi, Amber Shamsi, Reema Omer, Benazir Shah, Munizae Jahangir, Tanzeela Mazhar, Aima Khosa, Ramsha Jahangir and Zebunnisa Burki recorded their statements.
Anchor Asma Shirazi told the meeting that women journalists are being harassed for having a difference of opinion. She told that twice people barged in her house to harass her. She said that the efforts are being made to isolate these women journalists socially. Several women journalists have stopped posting tweets on social media due to the fear of harassment. Asma Shirazi said that we will not allow our young girls to stay at home due to fear.
Anchor Amber Shamsi said that women journalists are raising their voice against harassment on social media so that the coming generations could be protected. She said that she has brought her young daughter so that it should also create courage to fight against harassment. She said that the families of women journalists are suffering due to harassment. Anchor Reema Omer said that the harassment of women online is a fact and any girl if successful, is accused of using gender to get success. She said that Kulbhushan Jadhav’s photo was attached with her photo, removing her husband’s photograph. Journalist and anchor Benazir Shah said that Azhar Mishwani of Punjab government is continuously harassing her online and similarly, the focal person of the prime minister, Arsalan Khalid is also harassing her.
Anchor Ghareeda Farooqi said that she filed a case against Zartaj Gul who continuously got bail in that case. Zartaj Gul pressurized me through FIA and got that case quashed, she said. She said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto successfully and bravely fought against adverse situations. Journalist and anchor Aima Khosa said that the incidents of harassment against women journalists have increased since the PTI government has come to power. Ramsha Jahangir said that the harassment of women is continued as a planned campaign. The member of the Standing Committee who belongs to PTI, Ataullah said that the issue of harassment is not new. He also asked the Committee to hear his viewpoint instead of these women journalists complaining of harassment. Ataullah regarded the issue of harassment as campaign against PTI.
