Quetta, AUG 28 – The local administration has barred the Quetta Press Club from hosting events by organisations or political parties without a non-objection certificate (NOC), it emerged on Wednesday.
A notification from the office of the Quetta deputy commissioner, dated Tuesday, to the press club’s president said: “Owing to current law and order situation, no any organisation/political party is allowed to organise any conference/seminar in Quetta Press Club without prior approval/permission of district administration.
“Therefore, you are hereby directed not to allow any organisation/political party to organise conference/seminar without NOC/permission district administration.”
The restriction comes amid a tense security situation after dozens of militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) — a separatist outfit — launched numerous attacks on Sunday midnight across Balochistan, targeting security personnel as well as civilians, particularly those hailing from Punjab.
At least 50 people, including 14 security men, lost their lives as militants went on a rampage across the province, storming police stations, blowing up railway tracks, and setting fire to almost three dozen vehicles.
In May, the police and local administration locked the press club’s gates to stop the members of rights group Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) from holding a seminar.
The Balochistan Union of Journalists and press club had decided to launch a country-wide protest campaign against the locking up by the district administration and police.
