PFUJ demands probe into torture, kidnapping of mediamen

Islamabad—The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed serious concern and dismay over the rampant incidences of kidnapping, torture, killing of media persons working in the most conflict stricken province (Baluchistan) and demanded immediate recovery of missing media persons and nabbing of the killers of journalists.

In a statement, issued here on Friday, the PFUJ regretted that 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.

The PFFUJ further contended that since 9/11 the working conditions of media practitioners in one of the main federating units of the country, Baluchistan, which is almost half present rest of the three provinces are worst with no safety, life insurance, training, remuneration with killing and kidnapping over and above.

The PFUJ further pointed out that about 200 media persons hailing from rural arrears Baluchistan staged a demonstration on Thursday in Quetta protesting against killing of two Baloch journalists and kidnapping of two others, expressed resentments and condemned the indifferent attitude of the federal and provincial government agencies in protecting the basic rights and lives of media persons.

The unprecedented demonstration of unity for the protection of journalists working in the country’s conflict-stricken province, itself speaks volumes of insecurity and miseries of the media persons prevailing in the Baluchistan, the PFUJ added.—Online