QUETTA: The President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt, and Secretary-General Arshad Ansari, along with Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) President Manzoor Ahmed Rind and Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, have emphasized the need to improve the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and other media-related laws. They stated that they are actively campaigning for these reforms.
Journalist leaders said they reject oppressive laws that restrict freedom of the media and other sectors of society. Journalists have launched a nationwide awareness campaign against Peca, seeking input from political parties, NGOs, and civil society to draft recommendations that will be submitted to Parliament and the government. The aim is for the government, in consultation with journalists and all stakeholders, to improve these laws.
The leaders also highlighted the importance of journalist protection in Balochistan and addressing their financial issues. They stated that the government has taken serious measures to resolve long-standing problems faced by journalists in the province and will continue to prioritize these issues while promoting responsible journalism. The government will work with the Quetta Press Club and BUJ to address journalists’ challenges.
Other speakers included leaders from political parties such as Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman (Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan), Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal (Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party), Isa Roshan (Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party), Alam Khan Kakar (PTI), Abdul Rashid Nasir (ANP), Dr. Ishaq Baloch and Changiz Hai Baloch (National Party), Muhammad Zafar and Qari Akhtar Kharal (Balochistan Peace Forum), Fida Hussain (Hazara Democratic Party), Muhammad Farooq Lehri (BNP-A), and legal representatives including Rahib Buledi Advocate (Balochistan Bar Council) and Ismatullah Achakzai (High Court Bar Association). Human rights activists and representatives from women’s foundations and IFJ.
Shahid Rind stated that the BUJ has already worked on a Journalists Protection Bill and invited the government to review their draft for consultation. He highlighted that the government has taken serious steps to address journalists’ welfare and other issues in Balochistan since coming to power, in collaboration with senior journalists. He stressed that solutions to challenges should be achieved through dialogue rather than new laws and that journalists must embrace modern technology, merit, and transparency to fulfill professional responsibilities.
Journalists highlighted the challenges faced by journalists in Balochistan, including the killing of 40 journalists and media workers while carrying out their duties. They stated that press freedom movements are necessary when public voices are suppressed.
Political party leaders—including Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Rashid Nasir, Alam Khan Kakar, Fida Hussain, Alaa-ud-Din Khan Khilji, Rahib Khan Buledi, and Sana Durani—praised PFUJ, BUJ, and the Quetta Press Club for taking a stand against the Peca and expressed full support for their initiatives. They also submitted their parties’ suggestions for amendments to the law.
