23 August 2013

IFJ and SAMSN Condemn Attack on Pakistan Newspaper Office

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

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific