Media Release: Pakistan                                                                              

August 22, 2013

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and partners in the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) join colleagues in the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in expressing shock and outrage at the firing outside the office of the Express media group in Pakistan’s commercial capital, Karachi, on August 16.

PFUJ sources reveal that two employees of the media group, a security guard and a woman, were killed in the attack, carried out by four motorcycle borne assailants. Two among the four bore weapons which they used to fire some 20 rounds at the building, seemingly targeting the security personnel.

PFUJ President Pervaiz Shaukat and Secretary-General Amin Yousuf have condemned the attack as an attack on the freedom of expression and the public right to know.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief and the Chief Minister of Sindh province Qaim Ali Shah, are all on record with strong expressions of outrage at the attack and commitments to swiftly pursue the assailants.

“This incident underlines yet again that Pakistan continues to remain one of the most dangerous countries for journalists and media practitioners”, said the IFJ Asia Pacific.

“We call on the Pakistan authorities to follow up their words of condemnation with action and ensure that this incident is investigated with all the seriousness it deserves”.

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

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