The Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Pakistan, in cooperation with the Lahore Press Club,organised the Migration Media Awards 2022 on 19 December 2022 in Lahore.

Lahore(Special Report)

The Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) Pakistan, in cooperation with the Lahore Press Club,organised the Migration Media Awards 2022 on 19 December 2022 in Lahore. This award
ceremony is held to recognise the contributions, improved knowledge on migration issues and
enhearten the work of journalists and media personel who took part in developing migration
stories in the last eight months.
Information on migration is a crucial element of empowering potential migrants to take an
informed decision on their migration trajectory. Providing people with Knowledge on the
dangers and consequences of irregular migration , human trafficking and migrant smuggling as
well as the legal pathways of migration is important to counteract myths and wrongful
information spread by smuggling and trafficking networks. Journalists and the Pakistani media
landscape play a crucial role in dismantling misinformation and informing the public. Over 45
stories/ reporting pieces on migration were received from all over Pakistan against the media
migration awards. These awards are announced by the International Centre for Migration
Policy Development (ICMPD) under the framework of project “Awareness raising and
information campaigns on the risks of irregular migration in Pakistan (PARIM)”
Mr. Sheraz Hasnat, member of Lahore Press Club in his remarks welcomed all attendees of the
event and congratulated ICMPD in organising the first ever Migration Media Awards in
Pakistan. Mr. Hasnat admired the work of the Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) in Pakistan
stating it as the need of time for the potential and intending migrants to know about migration
processes, their rights and responsibilities before considering to migrate. He expressed his
hopes that this collaboration with the MRCs will contribute in strengthening the knowledge and
access to information on migration for Pakistanis through accurate and balanced journalism.
Other renowned journalists including Mr. Habib Akram, Mr. Shafiq Jalandry and ex-president of
Lahore Press Club Azam Chaudhary emphasised that in context of migration, the media is
crucial in delivering verified information, informed opinions as well as balanced and inclusive
narratives. Despite attracting much attention, the complex situation of migration, the diversity
of migrants and their situations could be more accurately portrayed. Untruths- dis
information’s and mal information should be avoided
Ms. Myra Imran, Vice President National Press Club expressed her views that media should play
its role in shaping public opinion while informing on migration and the policies available from
the state’s end

Ms. Nadia Kashif from the Migrant Resource Centre Pakistan talked about the role media plays
in framing public thinking about migrants and migration. She added the way the media covers
migration will certainly affects the range and quality of information received by the public,
particularly it affects intending and potential migrants more, as well as how our societies
perceive and relate to this migration issue.
In the end member of Punjab Assembly Mr. Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari presented the shields
and prize money to five winners for their migration reporting pieces in the categories of Print
English and Urdu, Digital, Electronic and Emerging Talent. Later, Mr. Bukhari well-regarded the
services of the organisers and urged to continue raising awareness on safe and informed
migration in the migration prone districts. He further emphasised the need to channelize youth
potential in the right direction i.e. by acquiring in-demand technical skills and linking them with
job markets in Pakistan and abroad.
Ms. Hina Maqsood, Project Manager ICMPD in her closing remarks acknowledge the work of all
participating journalists in the field of migration reporting and thanked everyone for their
participation and commitment to the cause