On November 23rd senior journalists were barred from entering the National Press Club (NPC)in Islamabad because Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen was invited. NPC administration stopped both PTM members and veteran journalists, including M Ziauddin, Shahid ur Rehman, Mazhar Arif and Jamil Ahmed, from entering the premises. Every week, a senior journalists’ forum is hosted at the NPC library, chaired by veteran journalist Muhammad Ziauddin.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over the incident. “The forum invites national and international subject experts and politicians of all shades – including those belonging to the ruling coalition – to discuss and debate current issues on Pakistan’s economy, society and polity. For journalists, columnists and media personnel, holding such debates is part of their duty; as citizens, it is their right. HRCP sees this as a gross violation of the freedom of expression and as an act of cowardice on the part of the NPC administration. Ironically, the closed forum gained more publicity around the world when it was held at a nearby alternative venue, a children’s park, soon after. The heavy presence of police and men in plainclothes did not deter the journalists from holding their forum: HRCP stands in solidarity with them.”
