Pakistan: Malicious hate campaign against PILER

24 November 2015

Dear Friends, Partners and Supporters of PILER,

This is to bring to your notice that a malicious hate campaign has been started by a section of electronic and print media against Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER).

Initially aired by a local TV channel, 92-HD, on 21 November 2015 evening, the report concocted allegation that PILER is receiving funds and operating as Indian agent.

The media has purportedly based this allegation on a certain ‘report’ released by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR). Meanwhile, PILER has not received any report or query from the office of the FBR. The FBR office has not contacted PILER on any matter.

PILER, registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as a ‘not for profit’ company under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, maintains transparent accounts audited by internationally reputed audit firms, mandatory under the SECP regulations.

PILER rejects the allegations in totality and is taking the channel’s management to the court of law. PILER’s lawyer has already sent a legal notice to the management of the channel and we will soon take the matter to the High Court as we have full confidence in the judiciary.

Founded in 1982 by a group of concerned individuals and professionals from the trade union movement, academia and various walks of life, PILER feels proud to say that it has earned a reputation and credibility, and won confidence of the labour community, civil society and human rights organizations and activists of Pakistan through years of services in labour education, research and policy advocacy for equitable development and for the rights and entitlements of citizens, labour, women and minority groups.

PILER works for peace between Pakistan and India, and among SAARC countries, seeking regional collaboration of democracy and peace movements. This has remained an important part of PILER’s work.

The hate campaign against PILER has caused stress among our staff members and our sympathizers. We look forward, in this challenging time, to support and solidarity from our partners and friends who have stood with us in many initiatives taken for the cause of a just and peaceful society.

Thank you,

Karamat Ali

Executive Director

Pakistan Institute of Labour Education & Research
ST-001, Sector X, Sub Sector - V,
Gulshan-e-Maymar, Karachi – Pakistan
Phones: 92(21) 36351145-7
Fax: 92(21) 36350354
E-mail: piler@cyber.net.pk.
Website: http://www.piler.org.pk