The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns
the murder of journalist Aamir Wakil in Pakistan at the weekend.
Aamir Wakil, 41, who worked for a private regional television
channel and contributed to a local newspaper, was shot dead by unidentified
gunmen near his house in Dhoke Khabba, Rawalpindi, on January 24.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), an IFJ
affiliate, reports that the Federal Secretary of the Interior, Syed Kamal Shah,
has assured the PFUJ that police will conduct a prompt investigation and bring
the perpetrators to justice.
The IFJ joins the PFUJ in calling on the police to act
quickly on the Interior Secretary’s directive to conduct a full and thorough
investigation.
The motive for the murder is unclear, but the PFUJ urges authorities
to investigate links to Wakil’s work as a journalist.
Wakil’s brother, Kamal Azfar, who is also a journalist and a
member of the PFUJ’s Federal Executive Council, said the police had been
informed about possible suspects.
“The murder of Aamir Wakil is yet another tragic reminder of
the dangerous environment for journalists working Pakistan,” IFJ
Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said. “The IFJ calls on
Pakistan’s Government to follow through on its promise to ensure that those
responsible for Wakil’s murder – and all other murders of media personnel in
Pakistan - are brought to justice.”
Pakistan is among the most dangerous countries
in the world in which to work as a journalist. In 2008, seven journalists were
killed in the country, according to the IFJ.
Meanwhile,
the IFJ joined the PFUJ in expressing further concerns about the safety of
media personnel in Pakistan,
after members of the public attacked a private TV channel in Quetta,
Baluchistan, on Monday.
The
SAMAA office was attacked by members of a crowd protesting the murder of a
local leader. The PFUJ said it received reports that stones were thrown and some
bullets were fired at the office. No one was hurt, although an office vehicle and
some equipment were damaged.
The
PFUJ called on the government of Baluchistan
to enhance security near the office, and urged SAMAA’s management to provide
insurance cover for staff.
"Journalists
often come under such attacks, particularly in conflict areas like Baluchistan, and it is very important that journalists
working in these areas get proper insurance cover and training," the PFUJ
said.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents over 600,000 journalists in
120 countries worldwide