Police Interference in Quetta Press Club an Attempt to Suppress Free Journalism, Says Muhammad Isa Roshan

Quetta: Muhammad Isa Roshan, Central Information Secretary of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party, has strongly condemned the alleged police intervention at the Quetta Press Club, describing it as a violation of the sanctity of the press club and a conspiracy to suppress independent journalism.

In a statement issued in Quetta, Roshan termed the police action a criminal act and demanded immediate action against the officers and personnel involved in the incident. He said the party fully supports freedom of the press and strongly condemns any attempts by the government or its institutions to undermine independent journalism.

He stated that this was the third incident of its kind during the tenure of the current government in which the sanctity of the Quetta Press Club had been violated. According to him, such actions appear to be a failed attempt to weaken the active, vibrant and constructive role of journalists associated with the press club.

Roshan urged all political, democratic, patriotic and religious parties, as well as organizations from every sector of society, to raise their voices against the police intrusion into the Quetta Press Club.

He also called on civil society and political forces to speak out against what he described as attempts by federal and provincial authorities to suppress free media and public voices through measures such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, adding that such actions constitute violations of fundamental human rights and democratic principles.