Governor Balochistan Assures Media Representatives of Swift Action on Issues, Announces Negotiations to End 86-Day Protest

Quetta:Governor of Balochistan, Mr. Jaffar Khan Mandokhel, has stated that protests are not the solution to the province’s issues and can often lead to public inconvenience and security risks. He emphasized that the best way to address concerns is through constructive dialogue, which he said is the essence of both politics and democracy. In response to a delegation of media representatives, led by Abdul Ghafar Lango and Murtaza Tareen from the Balochistan Newspaper Industry Action Committee, the Governor assured that he would soon dispatch a team to communicate the concerns and demands of the media industry to the provincial government.

The Action Committee, which had been protesting for 86 days, announced the end of its protest following Governor Mandokhel’s assurance. The meeting, held on Saturday at the Governor’s office in Quetta, also saw the presence of senior journalists, including Haji Khaleel, Raza Rehman, Nadir Hussain Zamarad, and Naseer Kakaar.

In his remarks, Governor Mandokhel acknowledged the challenges posed by modern advancements, particularly in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and robotics, noting the significant shift that online systems and digital technologies have brought in replacing traditional methods. He stated, *“In this era of technological progress, abandoning traditional approaches and embracing modern tools is a difficult but essential decision. Careful planning is required to adapt to this change.”*

He further encouraged media professionals, especially those associated with print media, to embrace the changing dynamics of the industry. *“The relationship between humans and paper is diminishing. The world is changing rapidly, and you must adapt your professions and thinking accordingly, making the most of emerging technologies.”*

Governor Mandokhel also discussed the need for a new and transparent advertising policy to ensure fairness, following concerns raised by the delegation regarding the complete transfer of advertisements to the Balochistan Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (BPPRA).

He assured the media delegation that he would give careful attention to their concerns and pledged full cooperation to address their issues, ensuring that no one would be deprived of their rights.

The Action Committee’s decision to end the protest after 86 days marked a positive step towards resolving the ongoing conflict, with both parties now focused on dialogue and finding a mutually agreeable solution.

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