Says Association Platform Was Allegedly Used Against Senior Journalist Asif Iqbal Naik; Raises Questions Over Membership and Election Process
KISHTWAR, September 27, 2026: Vice President of a press association in Kishtwar, Asif Butt, has resigned from the organisation, citing differences over the alleged use of the association’s platform against senior journalist Asif Iqbal Naik during a recent press conference at Dak Bungalow in Kishtwar.
Butt announced his resignation after meeting Naik and expressing regret over the developments surrounding the press conference. According to Butt, he decided to step down after disagreeing with the manner in which the association’s platform was allegedly used against Naik by a person whom he claimed was not a member of the organisation.
Calling the episode contrary to the spirit of professional journalism, Butt said he regretted the developments that took place during the press conference and maintained that journalists should uphold professionalism, transparency and mutual respect.
The resignation comes amid reported changes within the organisation. Sumit Sharma and Sorab Rathore had earlier reportedly resigned, while some other senior journalists in the district have also maintained distance from the association’s activities.
Butt also questioned the process adopted for the association’s elections, particularly the preparation of the voters’ list. He claimed that questions had been raised regarding the eligibility of some individuals included in the list and alleged that several senior journalists were neither consulted nor taken on board during the process.
He further described the electoral exercise as lacking the participation of a section of the senior local media fraternity, although these claims could not be independently verified.
The latest developments have brought renewed attention to the association’s membership structure, election process and internal functioning, with the issue becoming a subject of discussion among journalists in Kishtwar.
Butt said his resignation was based on principle and stressed the need for an inclusive, transparent and professionally representative platform for journalists in the district.
