TANK: The journalist community of Tank on Thursday strongly condemned the actions of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dera Ismail Khan for barring local journalists from entry and coverage during the visit of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to Police lines Tank. An emergency joint meeting of all press clubs was convened, attended by representatives of the District Press Club Tank, Daman Press Club, Mehsud Press Club, Bettani Press Club, Social Media Press Club, Pakistan Journalists Association (PJA) and Professional Pakistan Journalists Association (PPJA). APP
The meeting reviewed the DIG Dera’s directives and the conduct of police officials deployed during the chief minister’s visit, which prevented journalists from performing their professional duties.
After detailed deliberations, the participants unanimously formed a Joint All Press Clubs Journalists Action Committee to respond collectively to what they termed as “authoritarian and unconstitutional measures.”
The meeting passed a resolution strongly condemning the DIG Dera and his subordinate police officers for imposing restrictions on media coverage.
Addressing the meeting, journalists said such actions could not intimidate the media community. They termed the ban on coverage as a clear violation of press freedom, saying that even during periods of martial law, journalists were not subjected to such restrictions.
The meeting also decided to completely boycott coverage of the police department in protest against the DIG’s actions.
The journalists maintained that the restrictions were imposed as retaliation after Tank journalists highlighted the DIG Dera’s failure to attend the funerals of martyred police personnel in Tank and his lack of solidarity with their bereaved families.
They alleged that, in response, the DIG, through his close aide, the DSP Headquarters, imposed a complete ban on journalists’ entry and coverage during the chief minister’s visit.
The journalist community demanded immediate withdrawal of such measures and warned that protests would be intensified if press freedom continued to be curtailed.
