The Quetta Press Club has been prohibited from hosting events organized by any organization or political party without a non-objection certificate (NOC), as announced on Wednesday.
The Quetta deputy commissioner issued a notification on Tuesday instructing the press club’s president that, due to the current law and order situation, no events such as conferences or seminars should be held without prior approval from the district administration.
The notification reads: “Given the current law and order conditions, no organization or political party is permitted to organize any conference or seminar at the Quetta Press Club without the district administration’s prior approval. You are directed not to allow any such events without an NOC or permission from the district administration.”
In response, the press club’s executive body has scheduled a meeting for Thursday to discuss the notification and plan future actions. This restriction follows recent violent attacks by militants from the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which targeted security forces and civilians in Balochistan, resulting in at least 50 deaths, including 14 security personnel. The militants also attacked police stations, destroyed railway tracks, and set fire to nearly 30 vehicles.
Previously, in May, police and local authorities had closed the press club’s gates to prevent a seminar by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, prompting a planned nationwide protest by the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) and the press club against the administration’s actions.
Press organizations have strongly condemned the Quetta administration’s new restrictions. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) criticized the directive as an attempt to suppress free speech and press freedom. PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari called for the immediate withdrawal of the order, asserting that such actions undermine constitutional guarantees of press freedom and self-expression.
BUJ General Secretary Abdul Shakoor also denounced the directive, emphasizing the press club’s role in facilitating public discourse and connecting people with the government. He urged a review of the restrictions, noting that the press club had responsibly handled past situations even under challenging conditions.
The Karachi Press Club (KPC) similarly condemned the directive, calling it a direct assault on press freedom and public discourse. KPC President Saeed Sarbazi and General Secretary Shoaib Ahmed argued that press clubs are crucial for democratic dialogue and that such restrictions threaten the fundamental principles of free expression. They called on authorities to reconsider the directive and respect the autonomy of press clubs, stressing that a vibrant democracy relies on unimpeded freedom of the press.
