Peshawar Press Club meeting turns ugly

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 October 2013

The Peshawar Press Club's general body meeting escalated into chaos over proposed membership amendments. A scuffle occurred between members and camerajournalists regarding educational qualifications.

Summary

PESHAWAR: The general body meeting of Peshawar Press Club turned into a rumpus after a scuffle broke out between camerajournalists and press club members over membership issue Monday.

A special meeting was convened for amendments to the constitution of Peshawar Press Club with President Nasir Hussain in the chair. Six amendments were put forth by members including the incumbent cabinet for lifting the intermediate qualification condition for giving membership to camerajournalists working in various media outlets.

However, other senior members opposed the move and demanded the education condition remain in place. They pointed out that if a journalist was acceptable to an organization the press club had no right to deny them membership.

The constitution was formulated in 2009, according to which one third quorum is required for the special meeting while two third is needed for amendments to the constitution. On the lack of quorum pointed out by seniors, a 10-minute break was given for completion of quorum.

On the meeting’s resumption, the quorum remained incomplete as some 120 members are required in light of the constitution. There were 100 members present on the occasion.

As a result, a fight began between the members and camerajournalists as they resorted to abusing each other and tore off a senior journalist’s clothes attempted to restore order.

The club premises turned into a battlefield as rivals chased each other even outside the club building.

A senior journalist said it was not about quorum but it had to be seen whether changes to the constitution were made with good intentions. “How can the education condition be lifted for camerajournalists as this is in place everywhere?”

The meeting was postponed until November. There are currently at least 330 members of the press club.

KEY POINTS:

• Meeting held for constitutional amendments at Peshawar Press Club.
• Dispute arose over lifting educational requirements for membership.
• Arguments led to a physical altercation between members.
• Only 100 out of 330 required members attended, failing to meet quorum.
• Meeting postponed until November due to unresolved issues.