QUETTA, March 13: Balochistan Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mir Abdur Rehman Jamali and opposition members in the provincial assembly have demanded that the federal government should restore advertisements to Dawn.

They said curtailing the newspaper’s advertisements was against the principle of freedom of the press.

Opposition member Jan Mohammad Buledi raised the issue on Tuesday on a point of order, saying that the newspaper was being punished for its independent editorial policy and coverage of events in Balochistan.

He said the people of Balochistan praised Dawn for pinpointing excesses and exposing the government’s policy of oppression against innocent people.

Mir Jamali said he was against stopping advertisements for the newspaper of international repute.

He assured the house that he would make concerted efforts to help the newspaper.

Deputy Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, who was presiding over the session, said it was a positive sign that the minister had praised the newspaper and promised to make efforts to get its advertisements restored.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Kachkol Baloch, said the daily was playing an important role by highlighting injustices, excesses and oppression in the society.

He demanded restoration of advertisements to Dawn and local newspapers which were publishing reports of public interest.