The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is extremely concerned by the failure of
authorities in Pakistan
to fully investigate the killings of journalists, after another journalist was
murdered last night.
Raja Assad Hameed, a senior reporter
for the daily Nation and Waqt TV Channel, was shot four times by unidentified assailants
as he arrived at his home in Rawalpindi,
reports the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), an IFJ affiliate. He died
in hospital.
The PFUJ said the motive for the murder
is unclear.
The IFJ joins the PFUJ in demanding that Pakistan’s Government direct local authorities
to conduct a full investigation and to bring the culprits to justice.
However, it is disturbed to learn that authorities have not properly
investigated the abduction and targeted murder of GEO correspondent Mussa
Khankhel in Swat Valley on February 18.
The PFUJ suggests the failure of authorities to investigate Khankhel’s
murder is reason to doubt the sincerity of the Government in its promise to protect
media personnel.
“The Government of Pakistan must act on its stated
commitment to defend media rights, including the right of media personnel to be
protected against targeted violence,” IFJ Asia-Pacific
Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Offering to provide compensation after violence has been
committed is an insufficient response in dealing with the level of violence
directed against the media in various parts of Pakistan.”
The murder of Assad follows another
killing of a journalist this week. Tariq Malik, a young correspondent for Dawn News,
was shot dead on March 24 in what appears to have been a street robbery
unrelated to his professional work.
Members of the PFUJ will hold a rally
this weekend to protest continuing violence against journalists and to appeal
again to the authorities to take serious action.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide