• Bill Seeking Ban on Alcohol in J&K to be Introduced in Assembly
  • PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The bill, set to be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the J&K Assembly, proposes prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the Union Territory.
  • Mir warned that the rising alcohol consumption poses a serious threat to society, stressing the need for strict legislation to curb the trend. The bill also proposes harsh penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations.

PDP Leader Rafique Rather Lauds Courage of Journalists, Calls for Press Freedom on World Press Freedom Day

Published on May 3, 2025

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Srinagar, May 3 (RNA):
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, PDP leader Mohammad Rafique Rather issued a strong statement expressing solidarity with journalists worldwide who continue to uphold truth, transparency, and accountability—often in the face of extreme adversity and risk.

In his message, Rather praised this year’s theme—“A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”—for highlighting the media’s dual role: raising environmental awareness and strengthening democratic systems.

He voiced concern over the increasing global threats faced by media professionals, including censorship, surveillance, harassment, and violence, and stated that “journalists are being targeted for simply doing their jobs fairly.”

Particularly addressing the situation in conflict zones like Kashmir, Rafique Rather commended the exceptional bravery of journalists who continue to report the truth amid curbs, pressures, and limited communication freedom. He said their integrity helps present a ground-level picture of situations that might otherwise remain hidden from the world.

“On this day, we urge governments, civil society, and global institutions to recommit to press freedom, protect journalists, and ensure that the voice of truth is never silenced,” he said. “A free press is not a threat to power—it is a safeguard of justice.”

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  • Bill Seeking Ban on Alcohol in J&K to be Introduced in Assembly
  • PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The bill, set to be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the J&K Assembly, proposes prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the Union Territory.
  • Mir warned that the rising alcohol consumption poses a serious threat to society, stressing the need for strict legislation to curb the trend. The bill also proposes harsh penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations.