Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah vows to discourage harassment of female journalists

Corporate Ambassador/KARACHI: Chief Secretary Sindh, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah said the government of Sindh is doing every effort to address issues of media women in field including workplace harassment by the officers.

He said the women journalists have contributed greatly in society; it is our mandate and resolve to create more ease and opportunities for media women. He also assured that his good office will talk to commissioner to conduct by-election in Arts council of Karachi against the vacant seat due to the death of Madam Haseena Moeen.

Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah expressed his view while meeting the delegation of Pakistan Council of Media Women led by its President, senior Journalist, Humaira Motala. Senior Editor and President KEC Mubashir Mir was also present on the occasion.

The PCMW consists of Kanwal Jatoi, Beena Khan, Mona Khan, Marium, Akber Sajwani and Ali Waqas Sandelo. Drawing the attention of Chief Secretary towards the issues and problems of working media women, President PCMW Humaira Motala said there was a huge gap among the female journalists and people at the helm of the affairs it was the need of time to channelize the accessibility of media women to approach at higher level to convey their problems. The Chief Secretary assured the delegation of his full cooperation from his good office to media women. He said government of Sindh is all geared up to give media women equal opportunities since no society can flourish without progress of half of population which comprises women. Advising all media women, CS Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah said there was need to create awareness among women to inform them they could reach out Ombudsman who is specifically focusing on women harassment.

Senior journalist Humaira Motala said that as a journalist she tries her best to expose corruption and to assist people in attaining their basic rights. She informed Syed Mumtaz about the malpractices and corruption going on at Anjuman Hayat ul Islam Orphan House with the assistance of officers of Social Welfare Department. She raised her voice at every platform but in vain. Being the committee member of Anjuman Hayat ul Islam, she has been threatened by male members and convener social Welfare dept. Chief Secretary assured Humaira Motala his full support and ordered immediate inquiry into the matter of Anjuman and conduct of SW Director.

Chief Secretary also assured Mubashir Mir that he would take up financial audit matters with the commissioner and would try to focus on by-elections on vacant seats.