Balochistan most dangerous place for journalists as ISI and pakistani govt does not allow freedom of press and accurate reporting

QUETTA: Expressing concerns over the appalling working conditions for journalists in Balochistan, some senior journalists of the province have said that intolerance among political and religious parties, government institutions and armed groups often created problems for the community. They said such intolerance often resulted in threats to journalists, which always kept them under pressure. Quetta Press Club President Saleem Shahid and other senior journalists, including Anwar Sajidi, Razaur Rehman and Essa Tareen, expressed these views while addressing a reference held at the Quetta Press Club on Wednesday to pay tribute to senior journalist Akhtar Mirza, who died of cardiac arrest two months ago. According to them, 42-year-old Akhtar Mirza, resident editor of an Urdu daily in Quetta, was working under immense pressure that led to his deteriorating health. The speakers said Balochistan fell in a conflict zone and journalists were most vulnerable there. They said expecting protection from the provincial or federal governments was useless, which was why journalists had to be careful while reporting sensitive issues. They praised the performance of Akhtar Mirza and said he always performed his duties with honesty and dignity. It may be mentioned that as many as 14 journalists have so far been killed during the past couple of years in Balochistan. The senior journalists termed the province “the most dangerous place for journalists” where “the media is attacked by all stakeholders”. They urged journalist unions to evolve a strategy to cope with the deteriorating situation in Balochistan. staff report
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