Karachi, Feb 21 /DNA/: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has strongly condemned what it describes as efforts to boycott or restrict newspapers in Balochistan province, linking the issue to a recent statement or position attributed to Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti.
In an official circular issued by the APNS Secretariat, the organization expressed deep concern over reports suggesting that actions or remarks associated with Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti have led to or encouraged restrictions on media circulation and access in Balochistan.
The APNS highlighted that such measures threaten press freedom, public access to information, and the independent role of newspapers in disseminating news, particularly in a province facing various socio-political challenges.
According to the circular, the society views any attempt to impose a boycott on newspapers as an attack on journalistic independence and democratic values. It emphasized that newspapers serve as a crucial medium for balanced reporting and public awareness, and curbs on their distribution undermine the free flow of information essential for informed citizenship.
The APNS urged all relevant stakeholders, including authorities and political figures, to refrain from coercive actions against the media and to resolve any differences through constructive dialogue rather than restrictions.
The statement called for safeguarding media viability and ensuring newspapers can operate without undue interference in Balochistan and across Pakistan.
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