Free Medical Camp for Journalists and Families Held at Rawalpindi Press Club
Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), in partnership with Alfalah Foundation Pakistan, organized a free medical camp at the Rawalpindi Press Club. The camp provided medical check-ups and free medicines to hundreds of journalists and their families. In these challenging times of rising costs and busy schedules, offering healthcare services was a significant achievement.
Several prominent figures attended the camp, including RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk, Joint Secretaries Gulzar Khan and Mujahid Naqvi, and Governing Body Members Rizwan Gillani and Gufran Chishti. Senior journalists and public figures like producer Asma Butt, former UC Chairman Abdullah Butt, PML-N Senator Nasir Butt, and former RIUJ Presidents Abid Abbasi and Amir Sajjad Shah also visited the camp.
Senator Nasir Butt appreciated the RIUJ’s efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to resolving issues faced by the journalistic community. RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk and Joint Secretary Gulzar Khan highlighted the union’s commitment to press freedom, civil rights, and the well-being of journalists. They also assured that RIUJ would continue organizing similar medical camps for its members in the future.
National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi thanked the organizers and praised the success of the medical camp. Prominent attendees included Members of the Punjab Assembly Ziaullah Shah, Imran Ilyas, Tahira Mushtaq, and Zeb-un-Nissa, along with PPP leader Ibn Rizvi and senior PML-N leader Haji Shahid Iqbal.
MPA Imran Ilyas appreciated the initiative and pledged his full support to RIUJ and the Press Club. He promised to secure a special grant from the Government of Punjab to establish a Rawalpindi camp office of the National Press Club. MPA Ziaullah Shah mentioned that he would request PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz to address remaining issues for Media Town Phase-II, benefitting the journalist community. MPA Zeb-un-Nissa praised RIUJ’s consistent efforts for the welfare of journalists and upholding democracy.
Dr. Farzana Zafar, Medical Superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital Rawalpindi, also visited the camp and acknowledged the large turnout. She announced the creation of a special counter and a dedicated contact person at the hospital to assist journalists and their families. She emphasized that journalists play an important role in society, and the hospital is committed to supporting them.
Journalists and their families expressed their gratitude to RIUJ for organizing the medical camp and providing much-needed healthcare services. They praised the dedication of the RIUJ team and its leaders, including Afzal Butt, and hoped for the continuation of such services in the future.
