Quetta, Pakistan – The Balochistan Digital Publishers Forum (BDPF) has called on the provincial government to immediately finalize the Balochistan Digital Media Policy, citing growing concerns among digital publishers over policy delays and the lack of structured advertisement distribution.
The forum held an important meeting yesterday, chaired by Syed Ali Shah, President of BDPF, where members expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to officially implement a digital media policy for Balochistan. Participants emphasized that the absence of a clear framework continues to hinder the growth of independent digital journalism in Pakistan, especially in the underserved region of Balochistan.
The forum resolved that its executive members will soon meet with senior government officials to submit formal recommendations aimed at shaping a modern, inclusive, and transparent digital media regulation. These recommendations will focus on ensuring equitable advertisement distribution, promoting local content creators, and enabling sustainable revenue models for digital platforms.
During the session, the forum also reviewed membership requests. The Daily Al Jazeera Quetta digital platform was officially inducted as a new member, while other applications were deferred to the next meeting.
In a collective statement, the forum urged Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and the Government of Balochistan spokesperson to prioritize the approval of the digital media policy. The forum stressed that timely finalization is essential for the fair allocation of digital advertising budgets and the effective utilization of funds allocated in the 2025 fiscal year.
Finalizing this policy, the forum noted, would be a milestone in addressing the critical issues facing digital publishers in Balochistan, including lack of state support, unregulated advertising practices, and the digital divide.
