Historical Perspective

Regional Union of Journalists, Pakistan (RUJ) was established in the wake of mounting challenges, hardships, and increasing insecurities faced by the most vulnerable regional journalists and local media worksers in Pakistan. Some veteran journalists and founding members of the organization above, Namely Sayyed Shafqat Hussain Gillani, Rai Sajjad Hussain Kharal (Late), Abid Hussain Mughal, and Dr Muhammad Zakariya, seriously observed the certainty of a common platform to unite the entire regional journalistic and media workers community for a common cause at national level. After coordinating and consulting with all the senior journalists representing various districts of Pakistan, it was unanimously decided that a journalistic Association, as a true representative of regional journalists and media workers, must be formed at a national scale. The organization genuinely would work for the welfare of local journalists and to achieve the long-denied fundamental rights as guaranteed by the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The organization would continue to offer fair and equitable representation to all regional journalists and media workers, especially those in under-developed districts across Pakistan. In order to organize the union, initially, an eleven members Committee comprising some senior journalists from various districts of Punjab was set up to accord the title to the Regional Union of Journalists Pakistan (RUJ) and put up a well-defined manifesto for future guidance. For this purpose, on the 10th of June, 2012, a meeting was called at the residence of Sayyed Shafqat Hussain Gillani in Sahiwal.  After due deliberations and thorough consultation, a formal announcement was made about the organization’s name being called “RUJ, Pakistan.” All the participants explicitly expressed their complete confidence in the remarkable leadership of Sayyed Shafqat Hussain Gillani and nominated him as the president of RUJ, Pakistan, and asked to lead RUJ Pakistan from the front.

Mr. Gillani’s extraordinary leadership skills have already been proven, as he efficiently and painstakingly consolidated the organizational setup at the district, Tehsil, and town levels. On the eve of the 4th “Youm E Tasees” in Bahawalpur, held on 30th May 2016. In that grand gathering of regional journalists, it was publicly declared to broaden the operational territory of RUJ, Pakistan, covering the entire length and breadth of the country, in which special consideration would be given to Azad Kashmir & Gilgit Baltistan. To operate nationwide, two committees were formed: the Executive Body and the Central Executive Committee. It is also important to mention that it was an undeniably uphill task to organize and consolidate the Regional journalistic community at the country level. It would never have been possible without the countless sacrifices of all regional journalists and media workers.

Mission of RUJ, Pakistan

• RUJ Pakistan’s main objective is attaining the fundamental rights of regional journalists and media workers through a peaceful and kinetic struggle.
• Being a representative and authentic voice of the oppressed Regional journalistic and media workers community of all Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to sensitize and mobilize the people occupying positions of power to alleviate our common plight and sufferings.
• The demonstration for rights shall continue unabatedly until the State recognizes and fully acknowledges our rightful existence and meaningful contribution to the promotion of freedom of expression.

7 Point Charter of Demand of RUJ, Pakistan

1. Setting up housing schemes for regional journalists and media workers at the district level.

2. Ensure the ending of all restrictions on the freedom of expression for regional journalists.

3. Establish Committees for the Issuance of Accreditation cards to regional journalists and the Journalists Support Fund at the district level.

4. Marriage grants (Rs. 500,000/-) for the daughters of needy journalists for dowry and other expenses.

5. Provide life Insurance for the regional journalists and media workers up to 5 million rupees.

6. Annual funding for registered press clubs at district, tehsil, and town levels.

7. Provide health insurance from the social security system and reserve quota in all educational institutions. 

Founders of Ruj, Pakistan

Rai Sajjad Hussain Kharal (Late)