QUETTA: The district administration on Wednesday imposed a ban on holding seminars and conferen­ces at the Quetta Press Club (QPC) without prior permission from the authorities, sparking strong opposition from journalist organisations and press clubs across the country.

An official notification issued by Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad Bin Asad, addressed to QPC Pre­sident Abdul Khaliq Baloch, stated that due to the current law and order situation, no organisation or political party is allowed to organise any events at the press club without obtaining prior approval from the district administration.

The notification directed the QPC to ensure that no organisation or political party holds any seminars or conferences without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the district administration.

The local administration had also previously urged the press club to restrict certain political parties and organisations from holding pressers, seminars and rallies on its premises or holding sit-ins in front of the club.

Deputy commissioner bans seminars, conferences in QPC without prior permission

Journalists’ organisations and press clubs from various cities have condemned the ban, labelling it a violation of Article 19 of the Cons­ti­tution, which guarantees freedom of the press and the right to free speech.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the Quetta district administration’s move, calling it an attempt to curb free speech.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari denounced the directive, stating, “This is an attempt to curb free speech and press freedom, and it is unacceptable.” They called for the immediate withdrawal of the notification and urged the authorities to abandon such “ruthless practices”.

They emphasised that press freedom and the right to express oneself are enshrined in the Constitution and must be protected at all costs. The PFUJ leadership noted that the current law and order situation is not the result of free speech but rather of denial of rights, injustices in society and authoritarian behaviour by the establishment.

The Karachi Press Club (KPC) and the Karachi Union of Journa­l­ists (KUJ) also condemned the dir­ective, describing it as a “blatant attack on the fundamental principles of press freedom and free speech”.

“Press clubs have historically se­­rved as vital platforms for public discourse, and imposing such res­t­­­rictions undermines their very purpose,” KPC President Saeed Sarbazi said.

Shoaib Ahmed, general secretary of KPC, warned that any interference in the affairs of press clubs sets a dangerous precedent. “Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and it must be protected from such arbitrary restrictions,” he said.

KUJ President Tahir Hussain Khan and General Secretary Sar­dar Liaquat also condemned the res­­tr­i­c­tions, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the notification iss­u­­ed by Quetta’s deputy commissioner.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024