Manan Mandokhail, News Desk:Â
Top Media Leaders Join Hands, Interim Cabinet Formed to Advocate for Digital Media Rights
Quetta: May 1 – In a groundbreaking move, prominent print and digital media outlets across Balochistan have united to form the Balochistan Digital Publishers Forum, aiming to address pressing challenges faced by the digital media industry in the province.
The forum was formally established during a high-level meeting held in Quetta, where leading journalists and media professionals came together to discuss issues ranging from lack of official support to advertising discrimination. An interim cabinet was unanimously elected to steer the forum’s initial activities.
Syed Ali Shah, Editor of Quetta Voice, was elected as President, with Balach Sajdi of Daily Intikhab News chosen as Senior Vice President. Zafarullah Achakzai from Daily Qudrat News was elected Vice President, while Sadiq Baloch of Daily Azadi News was named General Secretary.
Participants voiced strong concern over the provincial government’s inaction in utilizing the digital media budget allocated for the current fiscal year. They cautioned that if not spent in time, the funds risk lapsing, worsening the situation for digital platforms in Balochistan.
The forum called on Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and government spokesperson Shahid Rind to immediately activate a digital publicity campaign and ensure fair distribution of digital media funds. It also criticized the federal government’s advertising policy, which prioritizes population-based metrics — often excluding Balochistan due to its smaller demographic. The members urged for a separate digital media advertising framework tailored to the province’s needs.
The interim cabinet has been tasked with drafting the forum’s constitution and manifesto ahead of the next general body meeting. It will also lead efforts to engage with both provincial and federal authorities to resolve key media-related issues in Balochistan.
