APNEC Elects New Leadership to Strengthen Labour Rights

By Aziz Khatri

Karachi: In a significant development for media workers across the country, the All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (APNEC) has elected its new leadership, positioning itself for a pivotal year ahead. Shakeel Yameen Kanga has been elected as Chairman, Asghar Khan as Secretary General, and Muhammad Irfan Ali as Treasurer. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Karachi Press Club and was graced by notable figures, including Sindh Minister for Labour and Human Resources, Saeed Ghani, and senior journalist Mazhar Abbas.

During the ceremony, Minister Ghani expressed concerns over the current state of labour politics, urging trade unionists to evolve beyond traditional practices. "If we continue down this path, the labour movement will struggle in the coming decade," he cautioned. He emphasized the need for unions to adapt to changing dynamics and work on internal reforms.

Ghani also highlighted the government's initiative to universalize social security, with the Benazir Mazdoor Card serving as a pivotal element. He stated the government's commitment to including all workers—be they journalists, media personnel, or informal sector workers—into the social security framework, ensuring their families benefit from education and healthcare services.

The ceremony featured speeches from newly elected Chairman Shakeel Yameen Kanga, labour leader Habibuddin Junaidi, and others who rallied for unity among media organizations to strengthen labour rights.

The newly formed APNEC leadership team comprises Chairman Shakeel Yameen Kanga; Vice Chairmen Nasir Chishti, Mansoor Malik, and Dara Zafar; Secretary General Asghar Khan; Assistant Secretary Generals Rana Muhammad Yousuf, Waheed Sheikh, and Mirza Imran Baig; and Treasurer Muhammad Irfan Ali. The National Executive Committee includes prominent members such as Tahir Hassan Khan, Haider Abbas, and Muhammad Usman, among others.

The election of this new leadership marks a hopeful turn for APNEC, as it seeks to unite media workers and advocate for their rights in an ever-evolving landscape.