QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has said that the government believed in freedom of the press as the supremacy of truth can only be maintained through freedom of expression.
He said that journalists in Balochistan have performed their duties responsibly and effectively under difficult circumstances in the province and they have not allowed challenging conditions to affect their work.
He was speaking at a ceremony organised by Balochistan International Think Tank to give awards to media persons practising responsible journalism.
The governor said that journalists have always performed fact-based reporting, which has helped improve image of Balochistan in the world. Despite tough conditions, journalists in Balochistan have fulfilled their professional responsibilities.
On this occasion, former president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Shahzada Zulfiqar and Balochistan International Think Tank Chairman Owais Jadoon also spoke.
Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, Secretary Ayub Tareen, BUJ Secretary General Shah Hussain Tareen, Dr Fareed Agha and Dr Sadat also attended the event.
Governor Mandokhail was given “Nelson Mandela International Civil Award” by the Balochistan International Think Tank in recognition of his political and social services he rendered over the last 40 years as politician in Balochistan.
The governor also gave awards to journalists, including Abdul Khaliq Rind (chief reporter of Daily Jang and former Quetta Press Club president), Muhammad Afzal Mughal (Quetta Press Club senior vice president and chief reporter of Daily Mashriq), Bureau chief Online International News Network), Khalil Ahmed (former BUJ president, bureau chief of 92 TV), Manzoor Ahmed Rind (BUJ president, senior reporter of ARY), Noor-ul-Arifeen (senior reporter of Samaa News), Shahab Umar (reporter of Geo News), Syed Ali Shah (editor of Quetta Voice), Hassan Butt (Dunya TV), Khair Muhammad (BBC), Noor Zaman (Geo), Adnan Saeed (APP cameraman), Atiya Akram (ARY reporter), A. Kalven Saindu (photographer of Daily Intikhab), Ayub Khoso, Behram Baloch, and Murtaza Zehri.
Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026