Journalists throng streets to mourn fallen comrade
PESHAWAR, June 19 2006: Rallies and processions to condemn the brutal killing of Hayatullah Dawar continued on June 18, severely lashing out at the state-run agencies over the poor law and order situation. Journalists of Mardan district staged a protest demonstration against the tribal journalist, Hayatullah, which besides others was attended by district and tehsil nazims, traders, social organisations as well as political and religious figures.
Protesters gathered at Mardan Press Club (MPC) from where they brought out a procession led by president MPC, Sadiq Bacha, Iqbal Hoti, Bashir Aadil, Yusuf Khan, Jehanzeb and Pervez Shaheen. The procession ended near Mardan Club where journalist leaders as well as district nazim Himayatullah Mayar condemned the incident and said that the government had failed to provide security to both life and property of the people.
Sadiq Bacha while condemning the slaying of Hayatullah Dawar alleged that he was kidnapped by the governmental agencies. He added that his family members wanted to meet President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime MInister Shaukat Aziz and Governor NWFP but they turned down their request.
District Nazim Himayatllah Mayar deplored the murder of Hayatullah and demanded a suo moto action by the Supreme Court and asked for judicial inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, the journalists of Mohmand Agency brought out a procession that strongly condemned the murder of the Mir Ali newsman after six months of his detention.
Addressing the rally, the Tribal Union of Journalists Mohmand Agency president, Mukarram Khan, general secretary Ziaullah, Fazal Gul, Ghulam Hussain and others alleged that the government was behind the detention and murder of Hayatullah. The protestors announced to launch a mass movement until the arrest of the killers.
The journalists of Nowshera held an emergency meeting with Mushtaq Paracha in the chair that also announced to hold a rally against the killing of Hayatullah on June 20. The meeting condemned the murder and also invited traders, lawyers and people from other walks of life to attend the rally on June 20 at Shobra Chowk.
ARD Central Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and PML-N FATA Secretary Information Said Wali Shah Afridi termed the murder of Hayatullah as the murder of journalism and demanded probe into the matter through a Supreme Court judge. The PML-N and ARD leaders expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. They also expressed anger for not taking adequate steps for the release of the journalist since his kidnapping six months back.
General Secretary Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, Qaisar Khan, paid rich tributes to Hayatullah, saying that thousands of tribesmen in Waziristan, Orakzai, Bajaur and other agencies were passing through bad times. Our correspondent adds from Sadda: Tribal Union of Journalists Kurram Agency chapter and Parachinar Press Club have demanded of the government to immediately arrest the murderers of Hayatullah.
The demand was made in a joint meeting of the two bodies that expressed sorrow over the demise of Hayatullah and demanded that the government should arrest the culprits involved in the crime. Meanwhile, Sajid Hussain Tori, Haji Sardar Khan, Zarghon Shah of PML-Q, Muhammad Ilyas of JI, Qari Taj Muhammad of JUI and Mohmand Shaheen of ANP also expressed sorrow over the killing of Hayatullah and demanded security for the working journalists.
Our correspondent adds from Chitral: the Chitral Journalists Forum (CJF) June 18 condemned the murder of Hayatullah Dawar and termed the act another blow to the freedom of the press in the country. In a statement issued here, the CJF said that Hayat was a brave and honest journalist who sacrificed his life for the sanctity of pen.
Demanding a judicial probe into the murder of Hayat, the CJF urged the journalists throughout the country to continue protest till the arrest of Hayat’s killer. Terming the Rs 50,0000 compensation as insufficient the CJF demanded of the federal government to extend proper help to the bereaved family.
Source: The News
Date:6/19/2006
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