CPJ concerned over Waqt News reporter’s killing | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

CPJ concerned over Waqt News reporter’s killing

NEW YORK – The Committee to Protect Journalists has voiced its concern over the assassination of Waqt News reporter in Balochistan and the abduction of another in North Waziristan Agency.

Waqt News reporter Munir Shakir was killed on Sunday after he was shot while on his way home from the Khuzdar Press Club.

“Conditions for journalists in Pakistan continue to steadily decline with unexplained murders, abductions, and a stream of threats from many quarters,” CPJ Asia programme coordinator Bob Dietz said in a statement on Monday.

“With the government unable or unwilling to address the problems, journalists must organise among themselves to establish safer working conditions and emergency response systems,” the watchdog added.

“Five journalists have died in Pakistan for their work so far this year, and none of the cases have been fully investigated, it said. With eight dead in 2010, the CPJ ranked Pakistan the most dangerous country for journalists that year.

“The disappearance of Rahmatullah Darpakhel has similarly gone un-investigated,” the CPJ regretted. Darpakhel, who reported for local newspaper and TV channel, was abducted in North Waziristan Agency on August 11.
Source: The Nation
Date:8/17/2011