President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Workers, Shamim Shahid, has strongly opposed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi's decision to rename Peshawar University's Journalism Department after slain journalist Arshad Sharif, calling it illogical.
He criticized the move, stating that instead of ensuring a transparent investigation into Arshad Sharif’s murder, such announcements only serve as an escape from reality. He warned that journalists in KP will strongly resist this decision and will not allow it to be implemented.
Shamim Shahid suggested that if the provincial government truly wishes to honor Arshad Sharif’s contributions, it should establish a new educational institution or project in his name, which would be widely welcomed.
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Highlighting the legacy of renowned journalists and academics who contributed to the establishment and growth of Peshawar University’s Journalism Department, he argued that renaming it should be done in recognition of one of these pioneers rather than Arshad Sharif.
He specifically mentioned Prof. Abdul Hashim Khan, Khan Abdul Ali Khan, Prof. Parishan Khattak, as well as Iqtadar Ali Mazhar, Sanaullah Khan, and Dr. Shahjahan, who played a crucial role in the department’s development. He also noted that Rahimullah Yusufzai was a globally recognized journalist whose contributions to journalism remain unmatched.
Shahim Shahid further emphasized that over 50 journalists from KP were killed by terrorists simply because they raised their voices for peace rather than for political motives. He criticized the minister, stating that if she truly valued the contributions and sacrifices of journalists and academics, the department should have been named after a journalist from KP instead.
He demanded that Meena Khan Afridi immediately revoke this decision, warning that if not withdrawn, journalists, students, and media organizations would launch a protest movement after Eid-ul-Fitr.
