News Desk: The Quetta Press Club and the Balochistan Union of Journalists have strongly condemned police interference inside the press club premises, accusing law enforcement personnel of entering the facility, stopping journalists from coverage, and harassing media workers.
In a joint statement issued on March 2, 2026, the leadership of both bodies demanded strict action against the police officials involved and called on Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and the Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, to take immediate notice of the incident, terming it a violation of press freedom and freedom of expression.
The meeting unanimously condemned the police action, stating that entering the press club and obstructing journalists from performing their professional duties was unacceptable and against democratic norms.
The joint statement said that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental rights, and holding press conferences or media talks at press clubs is a legitimate right of citizens. It added that nowhere in the world is police action inside press club premises allowed, as such spaces are considered neutral and protected for journalistic activity.
The leadership recalled a previous incident in which the Quetta Press Club was locked, leading to strong protests that ended only after assurances from the provincial government that such actions would not be repeated. They expressed serious concern that, despite those assurances, police once again entered the press club, stopped journalists from covering the BYC media talk, and harassed media personnel.
The Quetta Press Club and BUJ leadership also urged Additional Chief Secretary Home Hamza Shafqaat and the provincial police leadership to ensure accountability of those responsible and to take concrete steps to prevent such interference in the future.
The statement concluded by warning that if effective measures are not taken to protect the sanctity of the press club and the independence of journalists, the leadership would soon announce its future course of action.
