The newly elected leadership of PRA Pakistan formally took oath at Parliament House Islamabad in a ceremony where the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, administered the oath and congratulated the new office-bearers on assuming their responsibilities.
The event, attended by senior parliamentarians and government officials, included Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Deputy Chairman Senate Syedal Khan Nasir, MNA Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri and MNA Sharmila Faruqi, with proceedings conducted by PRA Secretary Naveed Akbar.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq described parliamentary reporters as the “eyes and ears of Parliament,” underlining that responsible coverage strengthens democracy and confirming that the National Assembly Secretariat will continue to support journalists covering parliamentary affairs. Deputy Chairman Senate Syedal Khan Nasir hailed the PRA Pakistan body as representative of all four provinces and a symbol of national unity, and noted steps under way to improve press gallery facilities to ensure broader coverage opportunities.
Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar acknowledged the vital role parliamentary reporters play in conveying the House proceedings to the public and assured full cooperation to address longstanding challenges such as unemployment, job insecurity and professional obstacles, promising practical progress on joint proposals for media welfare.
PRA President M.B.B. Soomro thanked the distinguished guests and highlighted the difficult conditions under which journalists work to deliver accurate parliamentary coverage. He stressed that the press gallery should remain open during House and joint sessions and called for enhanced facilities, welfare funds and institutional support for PRA Pakistan members.
PRA Secretary Naveed Akbar emphasized that the new body includes journalists from all four provinces, reflecting journalistic harmony and national cohesion, and reiterated the association’s request for a dedicated annual budget allocation to support journalists in challenging times.
The ceremony featured presentation of the traditional Sindhi Ajrak to guests, senior journalists and newly elected PRA members as a gesture of cultural harmony and national unity. A large number of parliamentary reporters, officials of the National Assembly and Senate and representatives of various media houses attended, and PRA Pakistan expressed special gratitude to the National Assembly and Senate Secretariats and to DG Media National Assembly Zafar Sultan for facilitating the event.
