Evolution of the EAPJG:A Historical Overview

EVOLUTION OF THE EAPJG

A Historical Overview

From an Idea in 2020 to a Registered European Association in 2026

The European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) has evolved through several important stages — from an idea discussed among Pakistani journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic, to an informal WhatsApp initiative, to an organized professional network, and ultimately to a formally registered association under German law.

Its history reflects a gradual journey of professional networking, journalistic cooperation, organizational development, international engagement and institutional formation.

یورپی ایسوسی ایشن آف پاکستانی جرنلسٹس گلوبل (EAPJG) کا بنیادی مقصد پاکستانی صحافیوں کو اور دنیا بھر سے اور باالخصوص یورپ سے ایک پلیٹ فارم پر متحد کرنا ہے۔ اس پلیٹ فارم کا مقصد ان تمام صحافیوں کو یکجا کرنا ہے جو بیرون ملک مقیم ہیں اور پاکستان، اوورسیز پاکستانیوں کی فلاح و بہبود، اور عالمی انسانی حقوق کے تحفظ کے لئے صحافت کر رہے ہیں۔ ہمارا مقصد خاص طور پر اوورسیز مسائل اور حقائق کو خبروں کی صورت میں عوام کے سامنے لانا ہے۔

ہمارا مقصد پاکستانی یورپی صحافیوں کی اہمیت کو بین الاقوامی اور پاکستانی وفاقی سطح پر اجاگر کرنا ہے اور ان کو یورپی صحافیوں اور عالمی پریس کے ساتھ متعارف کروانا ہے تاکہ وہ مل کر پیشہ ورانہ تجربات کا تبادلہ کر سکیں اور صحافتی معیار کو بہتر بنا سکیں۔

یہ بات واضح رہے کہ ہمارا یہ گروپ غیر سیاسی اور غیر مذہبی ہے۔ ہم صحافت کی آزادی، میڈیا کی تنوع اور صحافتی اخلاقیات کے فروغ کے لئے پرعزم ہیں۔ EAPJG کی کوشش ہے کہ صحافیوں کو ایک مضبوط اور مؤثر پلیٹ فارم فراہم کیا جائے تاکہ و

The primary objective of the European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) is to unite Pakistani journalists, particularly those from Europe and around the world, on a single platform. This platform aims to bring together journalists residing abroad who are dedicated to reporting on issues concerning Pakistan, the welfare of overseas Pakistanis, and the protection of global human rights. Our mission is to highlight overseas issues and facts to the public through news coverage.

We strive to emphasize the significance of Pakistani European journalists at both international and Pakistani federal levels and to introduce them to European journalists and the global press. This introduction facilitates the exchange of professional experiences and the enhancement of journalistic standards.

It is important to note that our group is non-political and non-religious. We are committed to promoting press freedom, media diversity, and journalistic ethics. EAPJG endeavors to provide journalists with a strong and effective platform, enabling them to advance in their profession and positively represent Pakistan on a global scale."

The original WhatsApp status is copied below in Urdu and English.

2020 — THE BEGINNING

The Original Idea

The origins of the European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) can be traced to discussions among Pakistani journalists in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The initial idea was developed by Shahid Ameer Goraya, then Bureau Chief of BOL News Germany, in discussions with fellow Pakistani journalists including Imran Mehr (92 News), Syed Haider Naqvi (PTV News) from Bonn, Germany, and Dr. Muhammad Kamran (92 News) from the Netherlands.

The discussions focused on the need for a professional platform through which Pakistani journalists living and working in Europe and other parts of the world could connect, exchange professional experience, strengthen professional relationships and collectively highlight issues concerning Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis and international affairs.

At this stage, EAPJG was an idea and journalistic initiative rather than a legally registered association.

25 JANUARY 2022— THE WHATSAPP INITIATIVE

The Original EAPJG Manifesto

Following a period of limited activity, Shahid Ameer Goraya established the EAPJG WhatsApp group on 25 January 2022 and introduced a written manifesto setting out the initiative's fundamental objectives.

The original manifesto stated:

“The primary objective of the European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) is to unite Pakistani journalists, particularly those from Europe and around the world, on a single platform.”

The manifesto sought to bring together journalists living abroad who were dedicated to reporting on issues concerning Pakistan, the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the protection of global human rights.

It emphasized the importance of bringing overseas issues and facts to the public through professional news coverage.

The initiative also sought to highlight the contribution and significance of Pakistani European journalists at international and Pakistani federal levels and to introduce them to European journalists and the wider international press.

This was intended to facilitate the exchange of professional experience, knowledge and journalistic practices, while contributing to the development of journalistic standards.

A Founding Principle

From its earliest documented manifesto, the EAPJG initiative was expressly described as:

NON-POLITICAL • NON-RELIGIOUS

The manifesto emphasized a commitment to:

PRESS FREEDOM • MEDIA DIVERSITY • JOURNALISTIC ETHICS

The objective was to provide Pakistani journalists with a strong and effective professional platform through which they could advance their careers, develop international professional relationships and positively represent Pakistan through journalism on a global scale.

THE ORIGINAL HISTORICAL RECORD

Preserving the Beginning

The original EAPJG WhatsApp group, manifesto and accompanying screenshot are preserved as part of the documented history of the EAPJG initiative.

The screenshot provides a contemporary record of the EAPJG initiative as it existed on 25 January 2022, including its original objectives, principles and vision.

This historical record demonstrates that the concept and organizational vision preceded the later formal registration of EAPJG as an association in Germany.

2024 — FROM IDEA TO ORGANIZED INITIATIVE

A New Phase of Development

During 2024, the EAPJG initiative entered a new phase of organizational development.

The project developed further under the name European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG), with increasing work in the areas of branding, digitalization, organizational management, administration, legal preparation and public relations.

The objective was to develop the earlier informal journalists' network into a more structured professional organization capable of connecting Pakistani journalists across Europe and beyond.

During this period, preparations also progressed toward establishing an executive structure and the first EAPJG cabinet.

2024 — THE FIRST CABINET & BERN

Building a European Network

As organizational preparations progressed, coordination began among pioneer members for the formation of the first EAPJG cabinet.

An inaugural cabinet meeting was organized in Bern, Switzerland, bringing together pioneer members and journalists.

The Bern gathering represented an important stage in the development of EAPJG, providing an opportunity for professional networking, organizational coordination and discussion about the future direction of the initiative.

The meeting also reflected the growing objective of creating a professional network connecting Pakistani journalists working in different European countries.

2025–2026 — INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Building the Organization

During 2025 and 2026, EAPJG continued developing its organizational structure and international professional network.

Work progressed across several areas, including:

• European coordination and professional networking
• Membership structures and administration
• Journalism and media activities
• International professional representation
• European chapters and cooperation
• Professional press-card initiatives
• Legal and statutory preparation
• Digital communication
• Public relations and organizational development

This period marked an important transition from the original informal journalists' network toward a formally structured organization.

The association's organizational, administrative and legal preparations continued in accordance with the requirements of German association law.

28 AUGUST 2026

A HISTORIC MILESTONE

EAPJG Becomes a Registered Association

A major milestone in the history of the European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) was reached on 28 August 2026.

On this date, EAPJG was formally entered into the Vereinsregister of the Amtsgericht Bonn.

Official Registration

European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) e.V.

Vereinsregister: Amtsgericht Bonn
Registration Number: VR 12850
Date of Registration: 28 August 2026

The registration marked the culmination of a development that began with an idea among Pakistani journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, continued through the establishment of the EAPJG WhatsApp initiative and manifesto in 2022, progressed into organizational development in 2024, and ultimately resulted in formal registration in Germany in 2026.

THE EAPJG JOURNEY

From Vision to Institution

2020 — THE IDEA

Initial discussions among Pakistani journalists in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

25 JANUARY 2022 — THE MANIFESTO

EAPJG WhatsApp group established and the original manifesto introduced.

2024 — THE ORGANIZATION

Expansion of organizational, administrative, digital and legal development.

2024 — THE FIRST CABINET & BERN

Pioneer-member coordination and inaugural EAPJG meeting in Bern, Switzerland.

2025–2026 — THE INSTITUTIONAL PHASE

Development of membership, European coordination, professional networking, media activities and legal structure.

28 AUGUST 2026 — THE REGISTRATION

European Association of Pakistani Journalists Global (EAPJG) e.V.

Amtsgericht Bonn — VR 12850

FROM WHATSAPP GROUP TO EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION

The history of EAPJG represents a gradual process of development.

What began as an idea discussed among journalists in 2020 developed into a documented WhatsApp initiative in January 2022, evolved into a more organized professional network during 2024, and progressed through further institutional and legal development during 2025 and 2026.

On 28 August 2026, this journey reached a significant legal milestone with the registration of EAPJG as an eingetragener Verein (e.V.) in Bonn, Germany.

The legal registration established EAPJG as a formally registered association while preserving the professional principles and objectives expressed in its earlier manifesto.

THE CONTINUING VISION

The Vision Continues

Although the organizational structure of EAPJG has evolved considerably, the central principles expressed in the original 25 January 2022 manifesto remain an important part of its identity.

EAPJG seeks to provide a professional platform connecting Pakistani journalists in Europe and around the world, facilitating professional cooperation, exchange of experience and greater visibility for journalists working internationally.

The association remains committed to the principles of:

PRESS FREEDOM

MEDIA DIVERSITY

JOURNALISTIC ETHICS

PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION

INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTIC NETWORKING

EAPJG seeks to create opportunities for journalists to exchange knowledge, strengthen professional networks and contribute to journalism across Europe and internationally.

2020 → 2022 → 2024 → 2026

A JOURNEY OF DEVELOPMENT

AN IDEA.

A MANIFESTO.

A NETWORK.

AN ORGANIZATION.

A REGISTERED ASSOCIATION.

From the first discussions during a global pandemic to the establishment of a WhatsApp-based initiative, from organizational development to the formation of a European professional network, and finally to legal registration in Germany — the evolution of EAPJG is a continuing story.

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF PAKISTANI JOURNALISTS GLOBAL

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Evolution of the EAPJG:A Historical Overview