The journalist community in Quetta on Monday staged a walk-out from the assembly session in protest against locking of the Quetta Press Club.
The police and local administration had locked the gates of the club on Saturday in order to stop the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) members from holding a seminar.
The journalist; however, called off their protest getting assurances from Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti. In response, a four-point charter of demands was presented to the chief minister by the journalist community.
President of Quetta Press Club Abdul Khaliq Rand emphasised the community’s stance, stating, "Until our demands are accepted, the protest will continue."
He added that the chief minister assured the community of taking action against those responsible for locking the Press Club.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti expressed regret over the incident, labeling the closure as unintentional and unfortunate. "The closure of the press club is sad."
Acknowledging the press club plays critical role in the society. The chief minister established a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the lockdown of the press club and address the concerns raised by the journalists.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2024.
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