Quetta journalists rally against PECA, demand press freedom restoration
Synopsis
On World Press Freedom Day, Quetta journalists publicly condemned PECA, paid tribute to over 50 colleagues killed in the line of duty, and demanded the restoration of shuttered media bureaus — a stark signal that press freedom conditions in Balochistan are worsening even under elected governments.
Key Takeaways
Journalists rallied outside the Quetta Press Club on 4 May 2025 , condemning PECA and demanding press freedom.
Speakers paid tribute to over 50 journalists who reportedly lost their lives reporting in Balochistan .
BUJ President Manzoor Ahmed Rind and Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed were among those who addressed the gathering.
Protesters demanded the withdrawal or review of PECA in consultation with the PFUJ and other media bodies.
Immediate restoration of shut television and newspaper bureau offices in Quetta was also demanded, along with reinstatement of sacked media workers.
Speakers alleged media restrictions have intensified under democratic governments, reportedly surpassing those of past authoritarian regimes.
Journalists in Pakistan's Quetta on Monday, 4 May staged a public demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club, pledging to continue their struggle for freedom of expression and rejecting what they called "black laws" — particularly the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) — that they say are being used to silence independent reporting, according to local media reports.
The Demonstration
A large number of journalists carrying banners and placards gathered outside the Quetta Press Club, raising slogans against restrictive legislation. Civil society activists also joined the event in solidarity, the daily Dawn reported. The protest marked World Press Freedom Day, drawing attention to the deteriorating conditions for media workers in Balochistan.
Key Voices at the Rally
Among those who addressed the gathering were Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) President Manzoor Ahmed Rind, Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Assistant Secretary Noor Elahi Bugti, BUJ General Secretary Shah Hussain Tareen, and civil society activist Bahram Lehri. The speakers highlighted the mounting challenges faced by journalists across Balochistan, noting that reporters continue to operate under threats from both state and non-state actors.
The gathering paid tribute to over 50 journalists who reportedly lost their lives in the line of duty in the region, stressing that their sacrifices underscored the high stakes of independent journalism in Pakistan.
PECA in the Crosshairs
Speakers were particularly vocal in condemning PECA, arguing that the legislation is routinely weaponised to curb dissent and suppress factual reporting. In a pointed remark, they stated that restrictions on media have reportedly increased under democratic governments, surpassing those seen during past authoritarian regimes — a claim that reflects growing frustration among press freedom advocates in the country. Notably, PECA has faced sustained criticism from journalists' bodies, human rights organisations, and digital rights groups since its enactment and subsequent amendments.
Key Demands
The protesters put forward a set of concrete demands, including the withdrawal or review of PECA in consultation with stakeholders such as the PFUJ and other media organisations. They also called for the immediate restoration of bureau offices of television channels and newspapers that have been shut down in Quetta, reinstatement of journalists and media workers who lost their jobs, and guarantees for job security and timely salary payments. Authorities were urged to ensure a safe and enabling environment for all media professionals.
What Comes Next
The Quetta rally adds to a broader, sustained pattern of press freedom protests across Pakistan, where journalist unions have repeatedly flagged legislative overreach and physical threats. Whether the government engages with the stakeholder consultation demanded by the PFUJ will be closely watched by regional and international media freedom watchdogs.
Point of View
And the fact that journalists now say democratic administrations are more restrictive than past military regimes is a damning indictment. Balochistan's press freedom crisis is compounded by geography and insurgency, making it one of South Asia's most dangerous reporting environments. The demand for stakeholder-led PECA review has been raised before and ignored; without international pressure and domestic judicial scrutiny, it is unlikely to gain traction this time either.
NationPress
4 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PECA and why are Pakistani journalists protesting against it?
PECA, or the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, is a Pakistani law that journalists and press freedom groups argue is being misused to silence dissent and suppress factual reporting. Journalists in Quetta rallied on 4 May 2025 to demand its withdrawal or review, calling it a 'black law' that erodes media independence.
What were the key demands of the Quetta journalist rally?
The protesters demanded the withdrawal or stakeholder-led review of PECA, immediate restoration of shuttered television and newspaper bureau offices in Quetta, reinstatement of sacked journalists and media workers, and guarantees for job security and timely salary payments.
How many journalists have reportedly been killed in Balochistan?
Speakers at the rally paid tribute to over 50 journalists who reportedly lost their lives in the line of duty in the region, highlighting the extreme dangers of independent journalism in Balochistan.
Who organised and addressed the Quetta press freedom rally?
The rally was organised by journalist bodies including the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) and held outside the Quetta Press Club. Speakers included BUJ President Manzoor Ahmed Rind, Quetta Press Club President Irfan Saeed, PFUJ Assistant Secretary Noor Elahi Bugti, BUJ General Secretary Shah Hussain Tareen, and civil society activist Bahram Lehri.
Why is press freedom in Balochistan considered particularly precarious?
Balochistan faces a combination of active security threats from both state and non-state actors, restrictive legislation like PECA, and the shutdown of media bureau offices in Quetta. Journalists there reportedly operate under constant threat, and over 50 have allegedly lost their lives covering the region.
