KARACHI, Nov 11: Leaders of journalist fraternity on Sunday reacted strongly to the continued siege of the Karachi Press Club for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday by the law-enforcement agencies to ward off protests against the imposition of emergency, curbs on media and suppression of lawyers’ movement.

In a statement issued here, members of the club belonging to various newspapers and TV channels expressed their resentment over the heavy deployment of Rangers and police around the KPC, and said that blocking people’s access to the club was causing immense hardship not only to KPC members but also the residents of the area and workers of different organisations in the locality.

KPC President Sabihuddin Ghausi, General-Secretary Imtiaz Khan Faran and other office-bearers condemned the provincial and city governments for the situation, and said that by ordering such measures, the rulers were punishing ordinary people in their effort to counter the struggle waged by journalists, lawyers and patriotic political parties.

They said the rulers must realise that registering their protest against the ‘black laws’, emergency and inhuman actions was citizens’ fundamental right.—PPI