Journalists protest reporter’s kidnapping
Journalists protest reporter’s kidnapping
* Involvement of govt official alleged
* Reporter abducted after filing reports on stolen-vehicle mafia, received threats
QUETTA: Journalists in Quetta and Khuzdar district staged rallies on Tuesday to protest the kidnapping of a Khuzdar-based journalist, allegedly on the directives of a senior government official.
The journalist, Riaz Mengal, has been missing for a week, and the government has not been able to trace his whereabouts. Members of Mengal’s family indirectly hinted that a senior federal government official was involved in Riaz’ kidnapping.
Stolen-vehicle mafia: The journalist was abducted shortly after filing reports against a mafia involved in smuggling stolen vehicles. When the journalist persisted with his professional duties despite threats by influential local people, he was kidnapped.
Journalists in Quetta, headed by Quettta Press Club President Shahzada Zulfikar, staged a rally to protest the government’s inability to recover the abducted reporter. Protestors carried placards, photographs of the missing journalist, and banners demanding press freedom. They also chanted slogans against the government as they marched on various roads in the provincial capital.
They demanded the immediate intervention of the Balochistan High Court, human rights organisations and international media watchdog bodies for the recovery of the abducted journalist.
In Khuzdar district, journalists boycotted an official function organised under Federal Petroleum Minister Mir Nasir Mengal in protest.
Riaz Mengal is the second journalist from Balochistan – the other being Baloch Voice TV managing Director Munir Mengal — who are missing.
Source: Daily Times
Date:10/10/2007
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