The reasons why he was targeted and the circumstances of his death is still unclear.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is saddened and outraged to hear this news and has urged police to conduct a thorough investigation to reprimand those responsible for the death..
IFJ Asia-Pacific director Jacqueline Park said “We offer our deepest condolences to Azar Abbaz Haidri’s family and colleagues and demand that journalists safety remain a high priority for authorities”.
Several reports containing contradictory information have created confusion around the motives for Haidri’s murder.
Initial reports said that the body of Azar Abbas Haidri was beaten up. An editorial in The Post said that his body showed signs that he was tortured.
The editorial also reported that the police have called Haidri’s death a target killing and speculated that he was probably killed at an undisclosed place before his body was dumped.
The Station House Officer of Qila Kot Sultan Station said that a passer-by told police they saw a rickshaw driver hastily dump a body near Shedi village road in the densely populated Lyari section of Karachi before driving away.
The Post believe that Haidri may have been targeted by those who have a record of silencing any journalist who have written critically about something but did not specify who.
Imtinan Shahid, Managing Editor of The Post said that Haidri’s death had increased the sense of insecurity among journalists.
The IFJ calls on local and international press freedom organisations to support improved protection of journalists as vital to ensuring freedom of the press in Pakistan.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in more than 115 countries