Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Pakistan National Solidarity Forum (PNSF) held a seminar on “Media’s role in Pakistan’s National Solidarity’ at Spices village restaurant Al-Aziziah recently.

Arshad Munir, press consular at Pakistan Consulate General here, presided over the meeting. Chief Guest was Amir Mohamed Khan, chairman Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF).

Other speakers were Shahid Nayeem, president PJF, Jamil Rathore, general secretary PJF, Ansar Ghuman, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Aijaz Awan, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Raja Mohammed Zareen Khan, Kashmir Committee (KC), Mian Ahmad Bashir Pakistan, Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Tasawar Hussain Choudhry, chief organizer Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Saudi Arabia, Nousharwan Khatak, Awami National Party (ANP) and Afzal Jett, business forum.

The seminar also marked the second anniversary of Burhan Wani’s death.

In his presidential address Arshad Munir defined the role of media in building Pakistan’s national solidarity. He said the media is an institution, which has a very important role because it can reach long distances. Therefore, media have played an important role in modern society very positively in terms of solidarity.

Munir emphasized on the quality of journalism also. He said quality journalism is a self-explanatory thing. A good journalist is that whenever he receives news he does not accept it immediately. He first examines the credibility of the man who has brought it. If he is a person prone to moral deficiency his report must be authenticated.

In Qur’an, our religion also gives us these lessons that first researchers about the news need to carefully ascertain the truth instead of accepting it on face value and acting on it immediately for publishing, printing or broadcasting, Munir added.

He praised the efforts of Riaz Bukhari, the founder convener of PNSF, for organizing the seminar and brought leaders of all the major political parties and social forum of Pakistan community under the banner of PNSF.

He said this is an evidence of unity that all Pakistanis residing outside the country are united and think of the country’s problems in a same way.

He also paid tribute to martyrdom of Burhan Wani. He said Wani gained popularity among Kashmiris due to his social media activity. He was killed on July 8, 2016, in an encounter with Indian security forces.

Chief guest Amir Mohammad Khan, thanked PNSF and reiterated that all members of PJF will always serve Pakistani community and Pakistan.

Syed Riaz Bukhari, founder chairman, thanked all the guests and participants. He conducted the proceeding and appreciated the services of the PJF office bearers and members. He also praised their high quality of journalism.