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, China to sign multiple MoUs at major agriculture investment conference today
- Hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani firms to attend Islamabad event
- Conference seen as part of expanding CPEC ties into agriculture, trade
KARACHI: Islamabad and Beijing are set to sign multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to boost agricultural investment and cooperation at a major conference taking place in the capital today, Monday, with hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani companies expected to participate.
The conference is being billed by Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research as a platform for deepening bilateral agricultural ties and supporting broader economic engagement between the two countries.
“Multiple memorandums of understanding will be signed at the Pakistan–China Agricultural Conference,” the Ministry of National Food Security said in a statement. “115 Chinese and 165 Pakistani companies will participate.”
The conference reflects a growing emphasis on expanding Pakistan-China economic cooperation beyond the transport and energy foundations of the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into agriculture, industry and technology.
Under its first phase launched in 2015, CPEC, a core component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, focused primarily on transportation infrastructure, energy generation and connectivity projects linking western China to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan. That phase included motorways, power plants and the development of the Gwadar Port in the country's southwest, aimed at helping Pakistan address chronic power shortages and enhance transport connectivity.
In recent years, both governments have formally moved toward a “CPEC 2.0” phase aimed at diversifying the corridor’s impact into areas such as special economic zones, innovation, digital cooperation and agriculture. Second-phase discussions have highlighted Pakistan’s goal of modernizing its agricultural sector, attracting Chinese technology and investment, and boosting export potential, with high-level talks taking place between planning officials and investors in Beijing.
Agri-sector cooperation has also seen practical collaboration, with joint initiatives examining technology transfer, export protocols and value-chain development, including partnerships in livestock, mechanization and horticulture.
Organizers say the Islamabad conference will bring together government policymakers, private sector investors, industry associations and multinational agribusiness firms from both nations. Discussions will center on investment opportunities, technology adoption, export expansion and building linkages with global buyers within the framework of Pakistan-China economic cooperation.
