‘Attack on Raza Rumi outrageous’ | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

‘Attack on Raza Rumi outrageous’

Pakistan Press Foundation

LAHORE: The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and the South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) have slammed as outrageous an attack on anchor and columnist Raza Rumi in which his driver was killed and his guard injured.

“We note with indignation that this is the fifth attack on the media group. The impunity perpetrators for the prior attacks enjoy has emboldened them to repeat violence against media people,” said SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam and SAFMA Pakistan President Nusrat Javeed, and SAMC Chairman Kumar Ketkar and Secretary General M Ziauddin, and Media Commission-Pakistan General Secretary Babar Ayaz in a statement.

“The incident is a sad reminder of the threats faced by journalists like him who are promoting human rights, tolerance and understanding in Pakistan. Journalists in Pakistan are pursuing a hazardous profession. Except for the Wali Babar case where perpetrators have been convicted, journalists are being targeted with impunity,” the statement underlined. “We extend our condolences to the family of Mustafa, the driver, and seek compensation for his family. We demand that the government immediately find and punish those behind the attack,” they said.

The authorities should ensure that the perpetrator get deterrent punishment and they should work for checking repetition of such gory incidents, they said. Pakistan is one of the deadliest in the world for the media. Last year it has mourned 10 journalists killed in the line of duty, according to SAMC’s annual report for 2013. At least four journalists and media workers have been killed this year in the line of duty.

Daily Times