On the morning of March 1st, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Saad Bin Asad, the police raided the Quetta Press Club, mistreated journalists, and arrested teachers from Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University who were there for a press conference. Notably, in March 2024, during a seminar organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, Quetta police had locked and sealed the press club. Moreover, the Deputy Commissioner has been continuously harassing journalists and the press club administration for covering protests against state repression.
There is an undeclared ban on journalism in Balochistan, and hundreds of journalists have faced enforced disappearances or been killed for fulfilling their professional duties. Journalists who refuse to promote the narratives of Pakistan’s powerful circles and remain committed to press freedom face severe state persecution. Political avenues in Balochistan have already been blocked, and now the doors of the press club are also being shut for those raising their voices for their rights.
After failing to suppress the truth from reaching the public through PECA laws and restrictions on journalism, the establishment-backed government in Balochistan is now resorting to such tactics to intimidate journalists and human rights activists. Protests against state repression are taking place regularly and continuously in Balochistan. However, instead of addressing these grave issues, state institutions are exerting pressure on journalists, which will not lead to any resolution of the problems.
International organizations working for the protection of journalists rank Balochistan among the most dangerous regions for journalism. So far, 42 journalists have been killed by state institutions for exposing the ground realities of Balochistan and speaking the truth. In the 21st century, it is impossible to suppress facts by harassing journalists and imposing restrictions. Instead of targeting press institutions, state authorities should focus on resolving Balochistan’s serious issues.