The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union
of Journalists (PFUJ) in strongly condemning the attack on the office of
Pakistan’s AAJ TV in the country’s southern city of Karachi on Monday June 26,
2012.
According to media
reports, at least two employees of the private TV channel were injured when
four armed men opened fire at the main gate of AAJ TV office at Gurumandir in
Karachi.
Tehrik-i-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP), an Islamist militant umbrella group based in Pakistan, has
claimed responsibility for the attack. In a phone call to AAJ News, TTP
spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan threatened attacks against other Pakistani television
channels that did not feature the Taliban point of view.
“The IFJ joins the
PFUJ in demanding a thorough investigation of the attack on AAJ TV’s office
building”, IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“This attack reveals
the continued threat to the safety of media personnel in Pakistan, and
demonstrates the urgent need for effective action by the government to address
the worsening situation for press freedom in the country.”
This latest incident
follows similar attacks on the offices of Kawaish
Television Network (KTN) on May 11 and Geo
TV on March 20.
For
further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0950
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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