DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Peshawar High Court’s Dera Ismail Khan bench has granted interim relief to senior journalist Abdul Hameed Baloch, restoring his membership of the Dera Press Club (registered) which had earlier been suspended.
The order was issued by Justice Sadiq Ali of the high court’s Dera bench while hearing a petition filed by Mr Baloch challenging the suspension of his membership.
According to the petitioner, the administration of the press club terminated his membership in January 2023, alleging violation of the club’s constitution.
Mr Baloch contended that he had raised the issue within the press club, demanding that elections for 2023 be conducted in accordance with the constitution. He also called for the cancellation of memberships granted to certain government employees, arguing that government policy does not permit public servants to hold such memberships and that their presence could influence the electoral process.
He stated that he repeatedly urged the press club administration to hold elections in line with the constitution. However, he alleged, the administration not only ignored his demand but also declined to conduct elections despite the procedure being clearly defined in the club’s constitution.
Mr Baloch said that he subsequently approached a local court, challenging the press club’s cabinet and related decisions. Following this, he alleged, the then administration terminated his membership, accusing him of creating problems in the club’s affairs.
The petitioner argued that even before approaching the court he had raised the matter within the club’s forum, insisting that elections be held under the constitutional framework and that memberships of government employees be withdrawn in line with official policy.
After his membership was cancelled, Mr Baloch filed a petition before the Peshawar High Court’s Dera Ismail Khan bench, which has now issued an interim order restoring his membership.
He further claimed that in the Dera Press Club office-bearers are often selected through mutual understanding rather than through elections, a practice he said is inconsistent with the club’s constitution and the Societies Registration Act.
The court adjourned further hearing of the case until the next available divisional bench.
Leave a Reply