IFJ welcomes resolution by Pak-Afghan journalists

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes the recent resolution by the journalists of Afghanistan and Pakistan to promote a healthy bilateral relationship through positive and constructive reporting.

Senior journalists from the neighbouring countries passed the resolution at a seminar organised by the Pakistan Federation Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Equal Access. The seminar was a follow-up of the Pak-Afghan journalists exchange program in which a number of journalists from both countries participated.

The participants discussed the working conditions of journalists in both countries and agreed that the media could play a vital role in strengthening the fraught bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The participants also agreed to continue sharing views among themselves to achieve this goal.

The PFUJ expressed its willingness to host journalists from Afghanistan to help them enhance their professional skills and urged governments of both countries to improve the working conditions for journalists so that they could perform their duties with utmost professionalism. Lahore-based PFUJ president, Rana Azeem, and the president of the Karachi Union of Journalists were also present at the seminar.

The IFJ said: “The IFJ congratulates journalists from Afghanistan and Pakistan for this resolution and believes that such solidarity strengthens ties between journalists and supports the struggle for press freedom and journalists’ rights. The IFJ hopes that the journalists of Afghanistan and Pakistan will be able to play a key role in promoting peace, human rights and democracy in both countries.”

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0946 

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