ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed concern over a recent threat made by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) organization to the press, asking the government and media owners to take it seriously and take immediate steps to increase the security of journalists.
Earlier this week, TTP spokesman Mohammad Khurasani said the group had been tracking some media coverage in which it was described as a “terrorist outfit.” He warned the journalists not to force his faction to turn them into its “enemies.”
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi expressed concern over the safety of journalists, particularly those working in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
“We have suggested that the media owners should be bound to provide life insurance to all their employees, particularly those working in the conflict areas,” the statement said. “Media owners should also provide safety gear to those working in conflict areas along with special training to deal with potentially hazardous situations.”
According to the PFUJ, militants have already killed over 30 journalists in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The association of journalists also said in its statement it was time the government accepted all its recommendations in the proposed Journalists’ Safety and Protection Bill.
TTP came into being in 2007 and the government listed it as a proscribed entity in August 2008, following its targeted attacks on civilians.
In 2014, under the country’s National Action Plan against terrorism, the government also banned all offshoots of the group and barred the media from “glorifying” militant factions.
Journalists’ body expresses concern over Pakistani Taliban's threat to media
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Journalists’ body expresses concern over Pakistani Taliban's threat to media
- TTP recently asked journalists not to call the faction a ‘terrorist outfit’ or be treated as ‘enemies’ by the group
- Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists said over 30 media workers had already been killed in militant attacks in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan stock market sees 41% rise in investors in 18 months
- Pakistan’s stock market has gained momentum at start of year on broad-based institutional buying
- The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in the country, state media says
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange has witnessed a 41% increase in the number of investors over the past 18 months, Pakistani state broadcaster reported on Friday.
Pakistani stock market has gained momentum in recent months as broad-based institutional buying across key sectors has reinforced investor confidence even as the country continues to navigate economic reforms under international lending programs.
Around 135,000 new investors have joined the PSX over the last 18 months, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Pakistan’s stock market has emerged as the second-best performing market globally,” the report said. “The rise in the stock market reflects global investors’ confidence in Pakistan’s improved investment environment.”
The development came as the PSX shed a little more than 1,000 points as it closed the weekend session at 184,519 points.
The report said coordinated efforts by Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) have helped stabilize the country’s economy and investment market, elevating it to prominence at the global level.
“Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment has become an attractive and reliable destination for investment,” it quoted Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad as saying.
On Wednesday, Pakistani stocks climbed to a fresh all-time high with the benchmark KSE-100 Index crossing the 186,000-point mark for the first time as potential foreign inflows upheld the positive sentiment.
