During the Media Convention 2026 in Quetta, on February 25, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists President Afzal Butt, Secretary General Arshad Ansari, Balochistan Union of Journalists President Manzoor Ahmed Rind and Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, emphasized the need to improve PECA and other media related laws.
The convention, jointly organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), and Quetta Press Club, drew participation from media workers, senior analysts, and social figures across the province.
A nationwide awareness campaign has been launched to gather suggestions from political parties, NGOs, and civil society, with the goal of presenting these recommendations to Parliament and the government.
During the convention, Shahid Rind, Political Affairs Adviser to the Chief Minister of Balochistan, noted that while Peca is not ideal, press freedom in Balochistan is relatively robust compared to other provinces. He encouraged journalists to focus on investigative reporting on matters of corruption and public interest while maintaining professional integrity.
Manzoor Ahmed detailed the challenges of journalists in Balochistan, with nearly 30 journalists’ deaths in recent years, including harassment and trolling, the pressures of Peca and weak right to information laws.
