The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) expressed alarm over local authorities in Quetta locking the gates of the Quetta Press Club ahead of a scheduled seminar. Press clubs, crucial hubs of media activity and discourse, should be able to operate without interference, said PPF, which joined calls for an investigation into the incident.
Authorities are urged to ensure that press clubs remain spaces for free expression and exchange of ideas without pressure from the state.
Interference with Press Freedom
On May 18, police and local administration in Quetta locked the Quetta Press Club to reportedly stop the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC) from holding a seminar. According to the press club administration, the assistant commissioner had asked them not to permit the seminar, subsequently locking the hall and main gate. Despite the authorities’ actions, members of the BYC broke the lock and held their seminar as planned.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the closure. PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari described press clubs as “neutral areas” essential for raising the voices of those facing state repression, demanding the immediate restoration of press club activities.
They pointed to Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression, to highlight the severity of the infringement. “The country is facing the worst kind of media gagging and denial of freedom of expression, and Balochistan is specifically being targeted,” they stated.
The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) also condemned the locking of the Quetta Press Club, calling it an attack on press freedom and a blatant violation of constitutional rights. The BUJ urged a high-level investigation into the incident, labeling the closure an attempt by authorities to silence journalists. In response, the BUJ and Quetta Press Club members, along with other journalists, staged a walkout from the Balochistan Assembly on May 20 and protested outside the building.
Nationwide Protests and Official Response
The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfaraz Bugti, addressed the incident in the assembly, condemning the actions and announcing the formation of an investigation committee. Representatives from the BUJ and Quetta Press Club were scheduled to meet with the Chief Minister on May 21 for further discussions. Additionally, they called for a nationwide “Black Day” on May 21, with anticipated participation from press clubs across Pakistan.
Following the call of the PFUJ, protests were planned nationwide on May 21. The PFUJ’s move to organize protests underscored the widespread discontent within the journalistic community regarding the state’s interference with press freedoms. This nationwide call to action emphasized the solidarity among journalists and media workers against what they perceive as an increasing trend of media suppression.
Tensions in Chaman
The Quetta Press Club incident follows a similar tension-filled event weeks earlier at the Chaman Press Club. On May 7, a group of protestors attempted to breach the Chaman Press Club, issuing threats of burning it down.
The protestors demanded media coverage and expressed frustration over what they perceived as inadequate representation in the media. Chaman Police Station House Officer Abdullah confirmed that he and his team had stopped the protestors from entering the press club but were unable to prevent them from issuing threats.
BUJ President Khalil Ahmed stated that the protestors, who were sitting at the Chaman border over the passport policy, threatened to lock up and destroy the press club if their demands for media coverage were not met.
The incident further exemplifies the dangerous climate for journalists in the region, where threats and physical intimidation are becoming alarmingly common.
In response to the Chaman incident, the BUJ condemned the threats and urged immediate action from the Balochistan chief minister and the inspector general of police. They called for the protection of journalists and press clubs, emphasizing the need for a safe environment where the media can operate freely without fear of retribution.
As the situation continues to develop, the PPF and journalist unions remain steadfast in their demands for accountability and the safeguarding of press freedoms.
The upcoming discussions with the Chief Minister and the outcome of the nationwide protests will likely shape the future of press freedom in Balochistan and Pakistan at large.
