By adnan bacha
SWAT: Peshawar High Court (PHC), judge expressed his displeasure over political and newspaper owner’s influence on Swat Press Club. Justice Waqar Ahmad, who heads a bench of competent judges, in a statement, said, it was a matter of concern that some influential, who had nothing to do with journalism, were taking interest in press club and related matters. Waqar Ahmad, the PHC, who had earlier listened to the arguments, also directed the Swat Press Club authority to submit an explanation before the competent bench within two weeks.” It is astonishing to hear, the Swat Press Club is being influenced by influential political parties, owners of newspapers, and other individuals who have nothing to do with journalism at all.’ he said, adding, the press club authorities will have to respond within two-weeks to the bench.Earlier, Barrister Assad ur Rahman, who in his arguments in favor both the aggrieved party told the bench, a certain group who got the backing of influential had shut down the door of the press club for the past couple of years. He also said that the press club premise was being used more for personal recreation than for carrying out journalistic activities.It is pertinent to mention that the Swat journalist community has boycotted from the press club due to the high influence of influential. Journalists Niaz Ahmad Khan, Sherin Zada, and Saeed Ur Rahman approached the court to set the press club in order and allow working journalists to use the press club premise for carrying journalistic activities.
