The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has welcomed the decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court to dismiss the review petition of newspaper owners against the Seventh Wage Award for newspaper employees.

"This positive decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court to dismiss the review petition of newspaper employers is a morale booster for newspaper employees struggling for their legitimate rights," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.

On 5 May, the highest court in the country dismissed the petition filed by owners' organisation All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS). Earlier, the APNS petition was also dismissed by the same three-member bench of the Supreme Court. The court order will have a far reaching impact on cases of a similar nature pending in the lower court.

Despite repeated calls by the IFJ affiliate in Pakistan, the PFUJ, and the National Assembly, Federal Cabinet and the provincial assemblies, newspaper owners across the country have failed to implement the Seventh Wage Award decision handed down on three-and-a-half years ago on 8 October 2001. Some, mainly regional newspapers, have not even implemented the Sixth Wage Board decision.

"Implementation on the Wage Award may still be some time coming, but these are small steps in the right direction," said Warren.

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