The IFJ joins its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in expressing serious concern over the continuing targeting of journalists in the country, after a bomb was discovered under the vehicle of senior TV anchor Hamid Mir on November 26, 2012, in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad.

Mir is the host of the popular programme Capital Talk which airs on Geo TV. According to reports verified by the PFUJ, a bomb was placed under his car but failed to go off.

Geo News reported that Hamid Mir had gone to a market in his car and, after returning home, the driver spotted a suspicious bag lying under his car. The bomb disposal squad was immediately called in to remove the bag, after which it was revealed that the bag contained half a kilogram of explosive material.

The explosives reportedly did not detonate due to faulty wiring.

In a statement the PFUJ said, “such acts amount to efforts to silence those who support freedom of expression”.

“There has been a surge in attacks on the media which is a deplorable trend. It is the responsibility of the government to provide protection to journalists who strive to provide facts devoid of bias and spin to the public”.

Pakistan ranks as one of the most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a journalist. There have been five murders of media personnel in 2012 alone.

The IFJ joins the PFUJ in calling upon the Government of Pakistan to immediately act to find those responsible for planning the attack.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0918

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific