SAFMA saddened by over killing of two reporters in twin suicide bombing in Mohmand Agency

SAFMA saddened by over killing of two reporters in twin suicide bombing in Mohmand Agency

LAHORE: The South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) and South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) are saddened by the latest killing of two reporters in twin suicide bombing in Mohmand Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The death toll has mounted to 50 with 75 injured, including Mohib Ali, a journalist working for independently owned News Network International (NNI). Both the reporters-- Abdul Wahab of Express TV and Pervez Khan of Waqt TV died when they were on duty covering the peace jirga.

“This is yet another terrorist onslaught against peace loving people that has also not spared two journalists, said Mr. Najam Sethi, Sec-Gen SAMC. With the latest killings of Wahab and Pervez, the death toll of journalists in Pakistan climbed to 11 journalists and 1 media-worker in 2010, which is startling and has exposed the dangers which journalists face when they report conflict”, said Mr. Sethi.

“We hold the Taliban responsible for this heinous crime of taking precious lives and reject their nefarious designs against the people of Pakistan", said Mr. Imtiaz Alam, Sec-Gen SAFMA. "It is an alarming situation which requires all media organizations to ensure the safety of journalists with proper training and safety measures". All members of SAMC and SAFMA said they sympathized with the victims’ families and expressed their full solidarity with all journalists working in conflict zones.