'Freedom of Press' Revival in Kashmir as Press Club Set To Reopen in Srinagar

Srinagar: In a notable development for press freedom in Kashmir, the Kashmir Press Club is set to reopen after remaining closed for several years in Srinagar. This reopening marks a significant step forward, offering new opportunities for professional journalists and promising to reinvigorate media activities in the region.

The Kashmir Press Club, established in 2018, had faced closure since 2022 following allegations of interference by local political figures. The club’s new interim executive body is now leading its revival. The executive body includes M Saleem Pandit as the president, Zulfikar Majid as the general secretary and Farzana Mumtaz as treasurer.

The club will operate from a private building located in Srinagar's Amira Kadal area. The interim management has scheduled a meeting for bona fide journalists who are not connected to political or separatist groups. This meeting is set to take place tomorrow, Friday, at 3.00 PM in Srinagar and will seek input from prominent journalists on the future direction of the club.

Zulfikar Majid, the newly appointed general secretary, reflected on the significant political interference that the club experienced in 2019, particularly from Omar Abdullah of the National Conference. Majid criticized the involvement of politicians in media affairs and emphasized the need for a professional and unbiased approach going forward.

The interim management’s plan includes excluding individuals with previous links to separatist groups or political parties. A membership drive is planned, and the accreditation committee has been instructed to recognize only verified journalists.

Majid stressed the importance of journalistic integrity, advising new journalists to focus on genuine issues and to remain independent of personal or political agendas. This move is expected to restore and uphold the standards of press freedom in the Kashmir valley.