U.S. Calls for Protection of Journalists After Murder of Pakistani Reporter Hassan Zaib
The U.S. State Department has emphasized the urgent need to protect journalists worldwide after the murder of Pakistani reporter Malik Hassan Zaib, affiliated with daily Aaj Urdu. Zaib was fatally shot in a targeted attack in the Akbarpura area of Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 14.
During a press briefing on July 18, 2024, the State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, underscored the importance of safeguarding journalists. “Journalists need to be protected and they need to be allowed to do their jobs, whether that be the United States, whether that be Pakistan, whether that be in the Gaza Strip,” Patel stated.
Zaib, 40, was traveling with his brother when two unidentified assailants on a motorbike intercepted their vehicle and shot him. Zaib died instantly, while his brother survived the attack and later filed a first information report (FIR) with the local police. The motive behind the killing is still unknown.
“This is something we feel strongly about, and it’s something that is deeply personal to the Secretary [Antony Blinken],” Patel emphasized. “It’s obviously personal to us and this team, spending most of our days engaging with you all. Simply put, journalists need to be protected and need to be able to do their jobs.”
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
