The local administration in Quetta has prohibited the Press Club from hosting events without a non-objection certificate (NOC) due to the current law and order situation. This decision comes after a recent wave of attacks by militants in Balochistan. The press club’s executive body is set to meet to discuss this restriction and plan for the future.
Press bodies, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Press Club (KPC), have strongly condemned this directive as an attack on press freedom. They argue that press clubs are essential platforms for public discourse and imposing restrictions undermines their purpose.
The PFUJ leadership emphasized that freedom of expression is crucial for a healthy democracy and urged the authorities to respect press clubs’ autonomy. They called for the immediate withdrawal of the directive and stressed the importance of safeguarding press freedom.
This move has sparked concerns among journalists and civil society activists, with many viewing it as an attempt to silence critical voices and control the narrative. The press clubs are united in their stance against these restrictions and advocate for the protection of press freedom in the country.
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