PFUJ condemns killing of Geo Reporter Wali Khan Babar

PFUJ condemns killing of Geo Reporter Wali Khan Babar

ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the killing of Geo News Reporter Wali Khan Babar in a terrorist attack and decided to observe country-wide black day of Friday (Jan 14) throughout the country, staging protest relies and hoisting black flags on Unions of Journalists offices, media centers, press clubs to expresses their resentment and to mourn the death of the deceased.

Wali Khan Babar ( 2y years ) leaves behind a widow mother, three sisters and four brothers to morn his death. He was in profession for the last 4 years and residing in north Nazim Abad, Karachi. Originally he hails from Zhob, Balochistan. He joined Geo English after completing Masters in International Relations (I.R) from the University of Karachi. But, later his services were transferred to Geo News (Urdu).

According to reports reaching PFUJ Secretariat, here on Thursday night,

Wali Khan Babar, Geo News reporter was on his way back home from Geo News office, when he was attacked by terrorists. As per initial report, he was intercepted by unidentified saboteurs, who on recognizing him, opened gunshots at him point blank, leaving him dead on the spot. His body was recovered from a car. "Geo News said it was an incident of target killing, as Wali Khan received at least five bullets—two in forehead, one in jaw and two gunshots hit his neck". Wali Khan Babar was covering operation against drug-traffickers in Pehalwan Goth. He filed his report at Geo News office and was on way back home when he was gunned down." Condemning this incident in strong terms the PFUJ said this incident has once again proved that working conditions in Pakistan for media practitioners are neither conducive nor safe and the killing of media persons has become order of the day. The PFUJ said in the year 2010 as many as 21 media related employees were killed in Pakistan in various incidents including target killing, bomb blasts and suicide attacks while in the last 13 days of the first month of the year 2011 two media persons has so far been killed. The PFUJ further pointed out that despite killing of media persons none of the killers has so far been brought to justice which itself speaks volumes about violence and lawlessness in which media persons are forced to perform their professional assignments without any security, reinsurance, and training. The PFUJ pointed out that all international journalist organizations have already declared Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in which media persons are unsafe and are performing their duties in utmost uncertainty. The PFUJ decided to observe country wide protest to mark the protest and resentment over the killing of Wali Khan Babar,and directed all the journalists bodies, UJs to hold protect rallies after Juma prayers, and also hoist black flags on the roof-tops of UJ offices, media centers, press clubs and also wear black armbands. The PFUJ also demanded of the Sindh Chief Minister and other high-ups of the province to take immediate steps for the arrest of the killers involved in the killing of deceased Wali Khan Babar and also announce compensation in line with the compensation of security personnel. The PFUJ also asked the civil society, intellectuals, lawyers and other segments of society, including political, human rights activists to protest against the killing of Wali Khan Babar, to express solidity with the media persons who are passing very terrible life nowadays and are working in horrible conditions without legitimate rights, including safety and fair wages. Shamsul Islam Naz Secretary General PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS Cellular +92(0)300 8665523 +92(0)321 8665523 http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com http://www.pfuj.pk http://www.facebook.com/shamsul.naz http://shamsulisalmnaz.blogspot.com/?spref=gb http://pk.linkedin.com/pub/shamsul-islam-naz/1b/312/711 http://twitter.com/Shamsulislmpfuj