PPF alarmed by local authorities locking the gates of Quetta Press Club; emphasizes need to maintain the role of press clubs as a hub of discourse without interference
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is alarmed by local authorities in Quetta locking the gates of the Quetta Press Club ahead of a scheduled seminar at the press club. Press clubs are a hub of media activity and discourse and should be able to function as such without interference or repercussions.
We join calls for an investigation into the incident and urge authorities to ensure that press clubs can remain a space for free expression and exchange of ideas without pressure from the state on press club administration to silence certain voices.
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 and locked the hall and main gate.
Ignoring the locking of the gates, members of the BYC broke the lock and held their seminar.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the closure of Quetta Press Club. In a statement issued by President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari, the PFUJ termed press clubs as “neutral areas” for raising the voices of those facing state repression and demanded immediate restoration of press club activities. In a statement, the PFUJ leaders pointed to Article 19 of the Constitution.
They stated that “the country is facing the worst kind of media gagging and denial of freedom of expression, and Balochistan is specifically being targeted.”
The Balochistan Union of Journalists strongly condemned the locking of the Quetta Press Club. The BUJ termed it an attack on press freedom and a blatant violation of Article 19 of the Constitution. They urged for a high-level investigation into the incident.
In a statement, the BUJ said that the closure of the press club was an attack on the freedom of journalists and their rights, which was unacceptable. They said this was a move by authorities to silence journalists, and they would protest it.
On May 20, BUJ President Khalil Ahmed told PPF that members of BUJ and the Quetta Press Club, along with other journalists, staged a walkout from the Balochistan Assembly and protested outside the building.
The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfaraz Bugti, condemned the incident in the assembly and announced the formation of an investigation committee. BUJ and the Quetta Press Club representatives are scheduled to meet with the Chief Minister on May 21 for further discussions. They have also called for a nationwide “Black Day” on May 21, with expected participation from press clubs across Pakistan.
On the call of the PFUJ, protests were to be held on May 21 across the country.
Chaman Press Club
The closure of the Quetta Press Club came just weeks after a group of protestors on May 7 attempted to breach the Chaman Press Club, issuing threats of burning the press club to the journalists within. The press club was locked up, with a chilling warning that any future use would result in its destruction.
Chaman Police Station House Officer Abdullah told PPF he was present and stopped the protestors from entering the press club. He said they demanded media coverage and locked up the press club.
Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) President Khalil Ahmed told PPF that the protestors who were sitting at the Chaman border over the passport policy rushed the press club and threatened to burn the press club and lock it up in the presence of the police force. They told the press club members that they don’t get media coverage, and while the press club is for the public, if it is not covering us [the public], then we don’t need it.
In a statement, the BUJ had condemned the incident and urged the Balochistan chief minister and inspector general of police to take “immediate action” against those involved.
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