Jeddah (Report by Noor-ul-Hassan Gujjar) — The Pakistan Media Journalists Forum International, one of the largest organizations of overseas Pakistani journalists worldwide, organized an international virtual conference on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
Journalists, media professionals, analysts, diplomats, experts from various countries, and members and office-bearers of the organization from around the world participated in the conference. The session was chaired by Chairman Chaudhry Noor-ul-Hassan Gujjar and President Dr. Abdul Rehman Osama, while the proceedings were conducted by anchorperson Rameen Mehmood.
The chief guests of the event were Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Syed Qamar Raza and Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Commission Barrister Amjad Malik.
Participants stated that press freedom plays a vital role in promoting democratic values, ensuring transparency, and holding institutions accountable. They also expressed concern that journalists worldwide are facing serious challenges including censorship, misinformation, professional risks, and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Chief guests Syed Qamar Raza and Barrister Amjad Malik stated that the Government of Pakistan is working to facilitate overseas journalists and resolve their issues. They termed the virtual conference an important initiative for global awareness of professional standards and press freedom.
Prominent personalities who attended the conference included UN Human Rights Ambassador in the USA Dr. Malik Nadeem Abid, Pakistani Ambassador to Germany Saklain Syeda, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Austria Kamran Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of Hazara University Dr. Ikramullah Khan, President of Universal Peace Federation Austria Peter Haider, renowned Saudi journalist Dr. Samira Aziz, American journalist Hina Lutz, Pakistani-American politician Shazia Shah, Nigerian journalist Timothy, Gaza and Palestine spokesperson Jalal Al-Farra, and officials of UK Press Club.
