PPF remembers Allah Noor and Amir Nawab – journalists murdered in the line of duty
On 7 February 2005 Allah Noor, reporter of Khyber TV, and Amir Nawab, correspondent of Associated Press Television News were killed when men armed with AK-47 machine guns opened fire on them in a van near the town of Wana, South Waziristan, KPK.
4 prominent Journalists of the area including Allah Noor, Amir Nawab, Anwar Shakir, and Dilawar khan were returning after covering a press conference of the surrender of a suspected tribal militant, Baitullah Mehsud when armed men opened fire on their car, resulting in the death of Allah Noor and Amir Nawab while injuring a stringer for Agence France-Presse, Anwar Shakir.
It was a black stormy night when journalists were returning after their professional duty, a black car having black mirrors was following them, all four friends decided to stay at Amir’s home for a night but destiny had another plan to follow and suddenly someone opened fire on journalist’s vehicle, Zafar Wazir, president south Waziristan press club told PPF.
There was no proper law and order system in the area at that time, no investigation took place in this regard, Zafar added.
The incident is still clear with all the aspects in our mind, however, the killers are unidentified like the 18 other murdered journalists of the area, Zafar added.
Dilawar Khan, a writer for Independent Urdu and Dawn, who was among the journalists at the time of the incident, shared the details as he was working with BBC in 2003, he along with his three other journalist fellows went to cover the press conference far from their area regarding an agreement signed between Taliban’s leader Baitullah Mehsud and Government of Pakistan. A black car was following them and then someone opened fire on their van from the backside, He was sitting on the front seat that is why he remained safe while two of his friends Allah Noor and Amir Nawab died on spot and Anwar Shakir was wounded.
The then Government of Balochistan announced that they would properly investigate the case but still the attackers are unidentified, Dilawar added.
Saeed Umer, son of Amir Nawab told PPF that his family received many threats in written and on call as well. They receive letters “Stop reporting” at their doorstep but they have no idea who threatened him but it is clear that threats are linked to his father’s reporting.
The government of Balochistan and the Pakistan Army helped them with monetary compensations but they did not arrest the culprits of his father’s killing, Umer added.
Amir Khan, son of Allah Noor told PPF that his father died for the journalism, unknown people called his house several times and warned his father to “stop journalism”, they also sent handwritten letters with the same note but journalism was the mission of Allah Noor and was killed for the same.
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