SADW hosted a dinner in honor of US Bureau Chief of Pakistan’s Daily Dawn Anwar Iqbal

By: Raja Zahid A Khanazada

Dallas:South Asia Democracy Watch hosted a dinner in honor of US Bureau Chief of Pakistan’s Daily Dawn Anwar Iqbal at a ‪Texas King‬ restaurant in Irving. South Asia Democracy Watch directors Syed Fayyaz Hassan, Aftab Siddiqui, Siraj Butt, Raja Zahid Khanzada, Pakistani Christian leader Jawed Samuel Gill, Poet Masood Qazi, Singer Mahmood Qasmi, Onkar Mogdul, Shah Alam Siddiqui, Bakhtawar, Ishrat AllahDitta, and others in leadership.

Various issues of South Asia came in discussion, where Anwar Iqbal presented his thoughts on media restrictions in Pakistan. He said that the current restriction on media in Pakistan is worst than it was during Martial law era of Zia Ul Haque. He said that during martial law, journalist would not be bothered about a news or an article once a news is cleared from censorship. However, in current situation they don’t inform journalists beforehand but hold journalists responsible for any news or articles and harass media outlets. Anwar Iqbal said that restrictions on media is a civil rights issue for which people should raise voice.

The sumptuous dinner ended with musical program with famous singer Shahsi Sangha entertained with his presentation. SADeW directors Raja Zahid Khanzada and Syed Fayyaz Hassan thanked the participants. Anwar Iqbal thanked SADeW for the program in his honor