The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Karachi Press Club strongly condemned the district administration’s action of locking the Quetta Press Club on Monday, announcing Tuesday as a black day to express solidarity with the journalists of Quetta.
The JAC has decided to hoist a black flag on the Karachi Press Club. The JAC resolved that the district administration of Quetta had no right to intervene in the affairs of the press club. It was deemed a transgression and an action against the freedom of the press, violating the constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.
The journalist leadership said that the sanctity of the Quetta Press Club had been violated and action should be taken against those responsible for the incident. They believe this is an attack on the freedom of the press and Article 19 of the Constitution.
Comprising the Karachi Press Club, PFUJ, and KUJ, the JAC also deliberated over the amendments to PECA laws by the federal government and amendments to defamation law by the Punjab government, demanding both governments immediately retract the amendments to these laws.
The JAC emphasized that any law should be introduced only after consultation and consent of the stakeholders. They noted that while defamation laws can be improved and strictly implemented, criminalizing it is clearly aimed at targeting freedom of the press and speech under the guise of combating fake news, which will be resisted.
Chaired by President Saeed Sarbazi, the meeting was briefed by Convener Joint Action Committee and Secretary Karachi Press Club, Shoaib Ahmed, who informed the meeting about recent incidents, including the locking of Quetta Press Club and amendments to the law.
The meeting was attended by President PFUJ GM Jamali, Secretary General PFUJ Dastoor AH Khanzada, Vice President PFUJ Khurshid Abbasi, Senior Journalist and former Secretary Mazhar Abbas, President KUJ Tahir Hassan Khan, General Secretary KUJ Naimat Khan, President PAP Jameel Ahmed, Joint Secretary Karachi Press Club Muhammad Munsif, and member governing body Noor Muhammad.
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