Newspaper and television station offices set on fire in Quetta | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Newspaper and television station offices set on fire in Quetta

Quetta offices of daily “Jang”, which also house the office of Geo television, suffered an arson attack on Friday, March 2, 2004. The incident occurred during riots that broke out after firing on a Shiite religious procession.

According to the staff members, about 20 people came to the “Jang” and Geo offices and opened fire to scare away the security guards. They managed to break the main exterior gate.

The rioters tried to break through the internal gate and set cardboard cartons, old newspapers, newsprint, printing ink and other supplies on fire. Some administrative records and the office telephone lines were also damaged. Local residents later helped put out the fire.

On February 24, Geo television aired a talk show that was found offensive by Shiite religious organizations. On February 29, protesters demonstrating against the station attacked the Karachi Press Club and injured one person (see IFEX alert of March 1, 2004).

At least 45 people were killed and more than 150 injured in the daylong violence in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan. Quetta’s mayor declared curfew and deployed security forces on the streets.
Date:3/3/2004