News Desk
Lahore, 10 July 2025 — Punjab’s Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bukhari, announced on Thursday that the provincial government has reached a “total agreement” to provide legal protection for journalists and has directed authorities to initiate the legislative process.
The announcement came during a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition (PJSC) – Punjab chapter. The delegation included Secretary-General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Arshad Ansari and Executive Director of Freedom Network Iqbal Khattak.
“The Punjab government is doing everything for the journalist community. We will pass the bill from the assembly,” Bukhari stated. She also instructed Secretary of Information and Culture, Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, to prepare and submit a summary for approval by the provincial cabinet, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Arshad Ansari, who also serves as the President of the Lahore Press Club, emphasized that the protection of journalists remains a key demand and top priority for the media community.
Iqbal Khattak welcomed the minister’s assurance, stating that the move toward a formal legal framework would help address impunity for crimes against journalists and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders in defending press freedom.
During the meeting, the delegation presented Azma Bukhari with a copy of Freedom Network’s latest research report, “Journalism in South Punjab,” which was released earlier the same day.