PUJ welcomes approval of journalists’ housing Phase II master plan

LAHORE (RNNTV) — The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) has welcomed the approval of the master plan for Journalists’ Colony Phase II, expressing satisfaction over what it termed a major step towards addressing the housing needs of working journalists in Lahore.

In a statement issued after a meeting of its executive council, the PUJ thanked Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz and Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari for approving the project under the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation Act.

The executive council described the initiative as the realisation of the long-standing demand of journalists for “their own home and roof”, noting that the project envisages the construction of 3,200 housing units for journalists under the Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda).

The executive council meeting was held under the chairmanship of PUJ President Naeem Hanif and was attended by senior office-bearers, including Senior Vice-President Yousaf Raza Abbasi, Vice-President Nadeem Zaeem, General Secretary Qamar Zaman Bhatti, Joint Secretary Mudassar Hussain Tatla, Treasurer Naseem Qureshi and other members.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Hanif said journalists were facing severe financial pressures, and in such circumstances the approval of a dedicated housing project was a significant relief for working journalists, particularly those employed in newsrooms and public-sector media organisations.

He said the chief minister’s approval of the Phase II project would help fulfil the housing needs of low-income journalists, adding that the information minister had played a key role in steering the project to approval.

Mr Hanif also acknowledged the efforts of Lahore Press Club President and Journalists Group Chairman Arshad Ansari, saying his continued engagement and commitment had contributed to the progress of the project.

PUJ General Secretary Qamar Zaman Bhatti said the approval of the master plan had caused discomfort among certain groups opposed to journalists’ welfare initiatives. He maintained that the information minister had acted as a representative of journalists within the provincial government and had ensured the rollback of the earlier Ravi Maskan scheme in favour of a housing project exclusively for journalists under the housing foundation law.

He said the Phase II project would provide five-marla housing units to journalists without discrimination and urged the journalist community to safeguard the scheme from what he termed politically motivated opposition.

The executive council reiterated its resolve to protect the project and ensure its completion, stating that the journalist community would remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine it.

The meeting also expressed concern over what it described as disruptive campaigns on social media, urging journalists to remain cautious and united in protecting collective professional interests.