Photo: PFUJ logoOn September 4, journalists, rights activists, and political leaders voiced grave concern over mounting restrictions on press freedom in Pakistan, likening the current wave of censorship and intimidation to the curbs imposed during General Ziaul Haq’s military regime. The warnings came during two separate events in Islamabad, where tributes were paid to veteran journalists and union leaders Nisar Osmani and CR Shamsi, both remembered for their lifelong struggle for democratic rights and press freedom. At a seminar hosted by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) at the National Press Club, speakers recalled the courage of Osmani and Shamsi during the martial law period. His principled stance earned him nationwide and international respect, not only from journalists but also from human rights organisations. Participants collectively condemned attempts to “besiege” journalists by blocking access roads to the NPC, and vowed to follow in the footsteps of Osmani and Shamsi to defend press freedom, workers’ rights and democracy.