ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to press freedom, pledging full support for the Charter of Demands presented by journalists to the Ministry of Interior following a police assault on the National Press Club (NPC).
A three-member PPP delegation, led by Central Secretary Information Nadeem Afzal Chan and including Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed and Ayesha Nawaz Chaudhry, visited the NPC to express solidarity with journalists after the recent police action inside the club.
The delegation met with Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt, NPC President Azhar Jatoi, and Secretary Ms Nayyar Ali, strongly condemning the police raid as a “brazen attack on press freedom.” Chan described the incident—where police entered the Press Club, assaulted journalists, and damaged their cameras and mobile phones—as a violation of democratic norms and the sanctity of the institution, terming it an assault on freedom of expression.
Chan highlighted the historical alliance between journalism and politics, noting that journalists have upheld their professional dignity through challenging times, even at the cost of their lives. He reaffirmed the PPP’s unwavering belief in press freedom, announcing that the party would back the journalists’ Charter of Demands and stand by them “in every testing time.” He warned that “all freedoms—including those of the press, politics, and labour—are being gradually curtailed in Pakistan,” and committed to having the PPP’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly move a resolution to protect the Press Club’s sanctity and ensure accountability.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt briefed the delegation on the incident, explaining that the Charter of Demands submitted to the government calls for an immediate ban on police entry into press clubs nationwide. “We have also proposed forming a joint action committee comprising representatives from the Interior Ministry, Information Ministry, and elected media bodies to prevent such incidents in the future,” Butt said. He further suggested incorporating legal protections for press clubs and journalists into relevant legislation.
PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed condemned the growing restrictions on freedoms, stating that “journalistic, political, and economic freedoms are being gradually taken away.” He recalled joint struggles for democracy and free expression, noting, “Even during General Musharraf’s rule, the police never dared to enter the Press Club. Today’s situation is deeply concerning.” Ayesha Nawaz Chaudhry also denounced the police assault, expressing the party’s unwavering solidarity. “The PPP stands firmly with the journalist community and supports their Charter of Demands,” she asserted.
NPC President Azhar Jatoi thanked the PPP delegation for their support, emphasising that the National Press Club represents media professionals from Gilgit to Karachi, not just Islamabad and Rawalpindi. “All journalist groups jointly prepared the Charter of Demands and presented it to the government. We will not tolerate any attack on press freedom,” he declared.
