Twelve Press Clubs of Three Districts—Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan—Attend Journalists Alliance Convention

Uchsharif : Press clubs presidents of three districts were invited by the Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP) on the request of the organisers Daily Nawa-i-AhmedpurSharqia and Uch Press Club & Media Group Uchsharif to attend the Journalists Alliance Convention held in Al-Abbas Marriage Hall UchSharif on 22nd October. RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar himself moderated the convention, which was attended by more than two hundred journalists representing twelve press clubs from Bahawalpur, RahimYar Khan, and Muzaffargarh districts, along with the Ahmedpur Union of Journalists. A total of twenty-six speakers addressed the convention, making it a significant event aimed at promoting unity, solidarity, and professional cooperation among journalists in Southern Punjab.

The participants pledged to continue their collective efforts for the defence of press freedom, the promotion of freedom of expression, and the welfare of journalists working in rural and small-town areas of the region. They also formed a symbolic “chain of unity” to demonstrate their shared resolve for journalistic solidarity and institutional cooperation.

RMNP President’s Address

In his presidential address, RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar referred to the recent sealing of the Gujranwala and Ahmedpur East Press Clubs and last year’s sealing of the Dera Ghazi Khan Press Club and demolishment of Mandi Bahauddin Press Club during anti-encroachment drives, describing such actions as damaging to the institutional foundations of journalism. He urged journalist group leaders from Uch Sharif and Ahmedpur East to initiate constructive dialogue in the larger interest of the journalist community to prevent such incidents in the future.

He emphasized that rural and small-town press clubs must be officially registered with the relevant government departments—either the Social Welfare Department or the Industries Department—so that they can legally obtain funding and support from national and international sources. He said that registration not only gives legal identity to the press clubs but also strengthens their institutional credibility and ensures accountability in their operations.

Legal Requirements for Press Clubs

The RMNP President underlined that press clubs in rural areas should make serious efforts to acquire their own buildings and facilities through collective initiatives and cooperation with local administrations and elected representatives. He further stressed the need to raise awareness among journalists about the new challenges arising in the digital era, including cyber threats, online harassment, and misuse of digital laws. He recommended that every press club translate and distribute the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Punjab Defamation Law in Urdu among their members so that they can better understand the legal frameworks affecting media freedom and journalistic practice.

Announcement of Mobile Journalism Training

During the convention, Ehsan Ahmed Sehar announced that the Rural Media Network Pakistan, will soon organise a Mobile Journalism (Mojo) Training Workshop for members of the twelve participating press clubs and the Ahmedpur Union of Journalists. He said that this training would equip rural journalists with modern tools and techniques for digital storytelling, video reporting, and mobile-based news coverage, helping them to remain relevant in the fast-evolving media environment.

He also announced the introduction of the “Mazhar Rasheed Best Reporting Community Award” in memory of the late Mazhar Rasheed Masan, former President of Press Club Mubarakpur, in recognition of his journalistic services. The first award, he stated, would be presented to Shahid Bashir Chaudhry, President of Press Club Chani Goth, for his outstanding reporting work in the region.

Convention Conclusion

Ehsan Ahmed Sehar reiterated that RMNP would continue to work for the protection of journalists’ rights, the promotion of professional standards, and the strengthening of local media institutions. He said that legal registration and continuous capacity building of rural press clubs were essential for ensuring that regional journalism in Pakistan could play its due role in defending press freedom and promoting transparency in public affairs.

At the conclusion of the convention, participation certificates were distributed among the attending journalists. Uch Press Club hosted a luncheon in honour of the guests and delegates. The Journalists Alliance Convention set a positive precedent for cooperation, professional development, and mutual understanding among media professionals across Southern Punjab. The event once again highlighted the urgent need for registration, training, and institutional empowerment of rural press clubs so that they can effectively safeguard the freedom and integrity of journalism in Pakistan.

Uchsharif: RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar delivering presidential address in Journalists Alliance Convention jointly organised by the Daily Nawa-I-AhmedpurSharqia and Uch Press Club & Media Group Uchsharif