Zaib Khan (Journalist)

A three day workshop was arranged by the Pakistan Press Foundation in Karachi from 9th to 12th November 2009. The speakers at the workshop focused on the need of truthful and objective reporting.
The three day workshop was arranged by the Pakistan Press Foundation in collaboration with Panos South Asia and was attended by reporters from all over Pakistan. A majority of which were lady reporters. The venue was Country Club (Arabian Sea) at Karachi. The agenda of this workshop was to guide and train reporters about the investigative and research based aspects of good reporting. Chief Guest at the occasion was Sind Minister for Information, Ms. Shazia Marri who appreciated the efforts of PPF in arranging the workshop and high lighted the importance of serious reporting in signifying the causes of poverty in society. Ms. Marri said, “This is the first time that the provincial government has allocated funds for the welfare of journalists”. She added, “These funds would be utilized through press clubs”. General Secretary PPF, Mr. Aslam Ali emphasized the importance of arranging such workshops and focused on investigative reporting in this era of freedom of speech. In her address Panos Country Director, Ms. Sehar Ali said, “The journalists in rural areas should also focus on investigative reporting like their urban counterparts”. She further commented that Panos and PPF would take joint efforts to raise the standard of investigative reporting in Pakistan. She also announced fellowships for investigative reporters.
Ms. Sehar Ali announced a fellowship program for the reporters. The focus of this program is to induce a sense of serious reporting so that ills of the society can be laid bare which will eventually lead to emancipation of the female populace.
PPF Secretary General Secretary Mr. Owais Aslam Ali, senior journalist Mr. Muhammad Idrees Bakhtiar and Mr. Absar Aalam also spoke on the occasion. Senior reporter, Mr. Absar Aalam was not only one of the speakers but also carried out the duties of resource person for the participants.
The workshop kicked off with a training session for the participants on investigative reporting. They were also asked to pick out topics of individual interest. A field visit was arranged for the next day and all the members were taken to Karachi Press Club. At the end of this visit, the participants met with the editors of leading newspapers of Karachi.
On the third day, the participants were asked to write investigative reports on their selected topics. After this activity, a lecture on investigative reporting was delivered by renowned reporter Muhammad Idrees Bakhtiyar. Distribution of certificates by Chief Guest, Ms. Shazia Marri signaled the end of this rewarding workshop.