HYDERABAD: Concerns have once again been raised within journalistic circles in Sindh over the functioning of the provincial accreditation card committees, with several journalists and media organizations calling for a transparent, merit-based, and lawful process for the issuance of press accreditation cards.
According to a statement issued by representatives of various journalist groups, the accreditation process should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner to ensure that only eligible and professional journalists receive official accreditation cards.
The statement alleged that some accreditation cards had been issued through irregular procedures and called for the cancellation of any cards found to have been granted in violation of the prescribed rules. The groups also demanded that all applications submitted during the 2026 accreditation campaign be subjected to a fresh and transparent scrutiny process.
The journalists urged the authorities to thoroughly verify all required documents before approving any application. They alleged that, in some cases, accreditation cards had been issued to individuals who were already serving as government employees and whose applications allegedly lacked mandatory supporting documents such as salary slips, appointment letters, bank statements, and membership cards from recognized journalist unions.
The statement further claimed that some applicants were allegedly granted accreditation without complete verification because of their association with a particular journalists’ group and the Hyderabad Press Club. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Media representatives emphasized that merit, transparency, and adherence to the law must remain the guiding principles of the accreditation process, arguing that any perceived irregularities could undermine the credibility of the system and erode the confidence of working journalists.
The journalist groups also called for the immediate dissolution of the disputed Hyderabad Division Accreditation Card Committee and requested an impartial inquiry into all of its decisions. They further proposed that, in accordance with relevant court directions, any new committee should be independent and should not include office-bearers or members of parties perceived to have a conflict of interest. Instead, they suggested forming a new committee comprising senior journalists and representatives from other recognized journalist organizations to oversee a fresh accreditation process.
The organizations appealed to Sindh Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Information Secretary Kashif Gulzar Shaikh, and Director General Information Dr. Moezuddin Pirzada, who also chairs the Accreditation Card Committee, to take immediate notice of the matter, investigate the alleged irregularities, and ensure that all future decisions are made strictly in accordance with the law and the prescribed rules.
The journalist bodies reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the dignity of the profession, safeguarding the rights of journalists, and promoting transparency and merit in the accreditation system. They said they would continue pursuing the matter through legal and institutional forums to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all eligible journalists.
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