KARACHI: May 28, 2015. (PCP) A demonstration was held at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday (May 27, 2015) for Bol Media Group in which a large number of journalists, photographers and media workers from various organizations, including Bol employees, took part and raised slogans in favour of the channel. Speaking at the demonstration, organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists, PFUJ Secretary-General PFUJ Amin Yousuf, KUJ President GM Jamali, KUJ General Secretary Wajid Raza Isfahani, Treasurer Nasir Sharif former KUJ general secretary Hassan Abbas, Senior Journalists Nazir Leghari, Faysal Aziz Khan, Amir Zia and others renewed their commitment to protect jobs of employees working in the media group. They asked the government to refrain from taking any controversial action which might hurt the cause of journalists and render them jobless. They expressed solidarity with workers and called for forging unity in their ranks and file. Meanwhile, a delegation of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Karachi Union of Journalists, led by PFUJ Secretary-General Mr Mohammad Amin Yousuf and KUJ President G M Jamali and General Secretary Wajid Raza Isfahani, visited the BOL offices at Korangi Creek to express solidarity with journalists of the BOL Media Group. The members of the delegation included Mr Aijaz Ahmed, assistant secretary-general PFUJ, KUJ Vice President Zaheer Ahmed Khan, Nasir Sharif, treasure KUJ, former KUJ General Secretary and FEC member Syed Hassan Abbas, FEC members Aijaz Ahmed and Mushtaq Sarki and journalists Ataullah Zaki Abro and Munir Ahmed. They were welcomed at the BOL building by the heads of the print and electronic media of BOL, Mr Faisal Aziz representing BOL Channel, Mr Amir Zia (Print Edition English) and Mr Nazir Laghari (Print Edition Urdu). The members of the team expressed solidarity with working journalists and non-journalists working at the BOL Media Group, and said that the purpose of their visit was to get first-hand information about the events related to BOL Media group. KUJ President G M Jamali welcomed the launching of the test transmission by the channel. PFUJ Secretary-General Mohammad Amin Yousuf said that the PFUJ was in favour of establishment of institutions because it helps widen the scope for journalists. If channels and newspapers would come out, there would be less injustice with mediamen. He also said that they are with each and every group because their members are working in each media group. He assured the heads of the Editorial board (print and electronic) that they are with journalists and non-journalists, and the matter may also be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the PFUJ FEC in Lahore. He said the point of concern for them is the media group with regard to protection of jobs of journalists and non-journalists, and said that if any action is taken against the BOL media group, they would chalk out their line of action. He sought details of the total number of members of the BOL Media Group in the country, and the day to day problems faced by the editorial and non-editorial staff as well as the support staff. Mr Amir Zia on this occasion informed the delegation that the BOL Media Group was going to set new precedents in journalism, and media workers and journalists were being given more and more facilities which was attractive for the journalists and non-journalists. Mr Faisal Aziz informed the delegation that there were a total of 2,300 members of the editorial and non-editorial staff, and they are all well paid, and they enjoy equal health facilities for them, their families, including parents. He expressed the apprehensions that the authorities might also take some controversial actions against the channel to stop its transmission. He referred to a notice served by the Customs with regard to purchase receipts of the equipment and the cameras etc which he said they were unable to produce as the relevant record was kept at the Axact offices or it is in FIA custody as the equipment was purchased a couple of years back, and remained at the site. He also expressed the fear that the staff might face problems in getting payment because all the accounts have been frozen. Although the entire team was committed to working with the group even in this crisis situation, he said the journalists at the group need support of the entire community. Speaking on this occasion, General Secretary of KUJ stated that we have been expressing solidarity with the BOL as long as the cause of journalists and workers is concerned, but if the BOL management sacks staff, we would equally launch a campaign against the BOL management as we have been doing with other media owners on sacking of journalists. Syed Hassan Abbas gave a firm assurance to the BOL staff that they were ready to perform their role of a trade union in their struggle to save jobs of the editorial and non-editorial staff. Zaheer Ahmed Khan said that we have often noticed that the media owners when in crisis, ask for support of the unions, but when they have no problem, they work as a cartel and even don't allow publication of activities of trade unions. On this occasion, Mr Nazeer Leghari, on his own behalf and behalf of Mr Amir Zia, gave a firm assurance that they would fight vigorously for the editorial independence of the media group, and they would not be letting down our trade unions when BOL print edition starts publication. Similar would be the editorial policy of the channel, he assured.