Sunday, February 20, 2011

Journalists killings in Balochistan World Media Bodies urged to send fact finding mission

Journalists killings in Balochistan


World Media Bodies urged to send fact finding mission



Islamabad, Feb,. 20 :- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed grave concern and resentment over killing of yet another journalist of Baluchistan, Abdost Rind who was shot dead in mysterious circumstances.


Abdost Rind, (27) was one of the most active Journalist in Turbat. He belonged to Tehsil Tump, and started the profession about seven years ago.


After performing his normal journalistic duties he was returning his home when some unidentified assailants, riding motor bicycle all of sudden intercepted him and opened fired on him. Later, they fled from the scene. Rind died on the spot as he received four bullets on various parts of his body. He was presently attached with a Daily “Eagle” an Urdu paper of the Baluchistan, but was occasionally paid.


He left behind one elder brother and father and mother in mourn.


His family claims the deceased having no enmity with any individual and was killed owing to his professional duties.


Condemning the death of Abdost Rind, the PFUJ Secretary General, Mr. Shamsul Islam Naz, in a very strong terms, said that the media persons are passing very tough life in Pakistan and it has been already declared one of the most dangerous country of the world for journalists by all the leadining international organisations including Committee for Protection of Journalists, Reporters without Border, International Federation of Journalists, yet no heed was paid by the Pakistani Government as well as media owners organisations to protect the safety of the media persons.


Despite ever increasing incidents of killing, kidnapping, torture and intimidating, the media persons working in all parts of Baluchistan no remedial measures have been adopted by the concerned agencies to ensure the protection their protection which is a constitutional as well as obligatory international protocol of the government.


It is worth mentioning that Pakistan has gained an un-enviable reputation as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for media practitioners since 9/11 and killing of media persons have become order of the day.


"Authorities in Baluchistan must act quickly to investigate Abdost Rind death, to send a message to those responsible that the of journalists will not continue to go unpunished," The PFUJ said.

"The disturbing frequency with which media personnel were attacked and killed in Baluchistan for the past many years must end." , the PFUJ stressed.

According the IFJ's 2010 report on journalists killed while conducting their work, Baluchistan was the most dangerous region of the most dangerous country in the world for journalists last year. Of 97 journalists killed worldwide last year, 15 died in Pakistan. Of that number, six deaths were reported in Baluchistan.

The PFUJ reiterated its demand to the human rights organisations, civil society, intellectuals, lawyers, political parties to support the call of the PFUJ for raising their voice to force the government agencies and media owners to take practical steps for the safety of the life of the media persons who are working in very hostile and dangerous environment.


The PFUJ once again also asked the international media organisations to sent special missions to ascertain the miserable plight of the media practitioners of Pakistan and force the authorities for their safety.


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

No comments:

Post a Comment