HRCP Delegation Meets Journalists In Peshawar, Highlights Challenges Faced By Tribal Reporters

A high-level delegation of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), led by its chairperson, met with journalists from various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Peshawar Press Club to review the challenges confronting the press and discuss effective measures for their resolution.

The meeting was attended by journalists from tribal districts, including former Bara Press Club presidents Khyal Mat Shah Afridi and Khadam Khan Afridi, and senior journalist Ibrahim Shinwari, who detailed the difficulties faced by reporters working in sensitive regions.

Journalists said that tribal reporters not only face constant pressure while covering sensitive issues but also lack any effective protection mechanism. They recalled that last year, the former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club was killed by unidentified assailants, while journalist Mehrab Shah was forced to leave his area after receiving serious threats from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Khadam Khan Afridi complained that despite fulfilling all legal requirements, the Information Department had failed to release funds for the Bara Press Club, terming it a regrettable act. He demanded immediate release of the funds.

After hearing the concerns, the HRCP chairperson said that the services of tribal journalists were invaluable and stressed that urgent policy-level measures were needed to ensure their protection, freedom, and professional training. He assured that these issues would be highlighted at the highest level in the form of a comprehensive report.

The delegation emphasized that the role of tribal journalists in safeguarding press freedom and human rights was crucial, and therefore, the government must take urgent steps to ensure their protection and support.

Those present at the meeting included HRCP members Hussain Naqi, Asad Iqbal, Munizae Jahangir, Peshawar Press Club president M. Riaz, senior journalist Shamim Shahid, Khyber Union of Journalists president Kashif-ud-Din Syed, Saif Islam Saifi, Farzana Ali, Shah Nawaz Turkozai, Nasir Hussain, and Nabi Jan Orakzai, among others.

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