The media representatives were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans demanding the arrest of perpetrators of journalists’ killings in Balochistan, Pakistan’s southwestern province.

Last month, armed men had barged into the Online news agency’s office and killed all three newsmen in Kabir Building area of Jinnah road Quetta. The incident sparked severe criticism of law enforcement agencies in the provincial capital.

Balochistan is considered to be one of the most sensitive areas for journalists. According to BUJ, during the last seven years, nearly 40 journalists have been killed in different incidents with the killers still at large.

The provincial government had announced the formation of a judicial commission six months back, but the judge probing the murder of journalists is yet to be nominated.

In today’s rally, the journalists chanted full-throated slogans “stop killing journalists they are your voice”, “long live freedom of expression” and “we want justice” among others.

“We will intensify our protest for the protection of journalists in Balochistan,” President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt said while taking part in the demonstration.

Members of Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), Hawkers community and the Quetta Press Club participated in the protest rally that turned into a human-chain in the high security zone of the city.

The journalist community has been protesting against the cold blooded murder of three colleagues in Quetta for the last fifteen days. “Journalists are in the line of fire in this part of the country,” Afzal Butt said.

The journalists demanded of the Balochistan government to step up efforts for the formation of a judicial commission to probe into the killings.

“We have lost around 40 colleagues during last seven years,” Irfan Saeed, the President BUJ lamented during the protest demonstration.

The journalists urged upon provincial and federal governments to ensure protection of the media men working in Balochistan and arrest those involved in the killings.

Pakistan is ranked as the world’s most dangerous country for journalists and reporters by rights groups and watchdogs.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), seven reporters lost their lives in the line of duty in 2013 in the country.

Placing Pakistan as the 158th country out of 180 on its Press Freedom Index, a report by the RSF had noted earlier this year: “The government appears powerless in the Taliban… and the military establishment, which is known as a ‘state within a state’ among many international observers.”

DAWN

Chief Minister Dr Malik informed the lawmakers about his visit to the hospital to enquire after Geo News senior anchorperson Hamid Mir who was attacked in Karachi last Saturday.

Leader of opposition called for immediate arrest of the culprits in a bid to avoid any further confusion. None of the 11 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) was taken up and the House deferred the Question Hour to discuss the murderous attack on senior journalist.

Journalists walked out of the House in protest against the attack. Two provincial ministers and a female lawmaker of NP approached the journalists and convinced them to return to the House, which they did after five minutes.

Tabled by the leader of opposition, the House unanimously adopted a resolution, condemning targeted attacks on working journalists across the country and demanding arrest of those involved in such heinous crimes.

The House took up an adjournment motion related to the prevailing law and order in the province. It was agreed that the issue would be discussed in any of the next sittings. — PPI

Our correspondents add: In Pakpattan, PPP leader Rao Jamil Hashim Tuesday said the attack on Geo News anchor Hamid Mir was an attack on democracy.

He said this while addressing a protest meeting at the press club here. He said Hamid Mir was a brave man who rendered great services for journalism. He said an insecure environment for the working journalists was not a good omen and demanded immediate, fair and transparent inquiry into the incident.

In Jauharabad, journalists staged a demonstration against the attack on Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir. Traders, lawyers and civil society activists also participated in the demonstration and condemned the attack and demanded an inquiry.

In Bahawalpur, Apca Bahawalpur chapter activists Tuesday took out a rally to express solidarity with senior journalist Hamid Mir.

The rally, led by Apca Punjab General Secretary Fakharur Rehman, started from District Council Office and after passing through Railway Road, Chowk Seraiki and Milad Chowk culminated at Chowk Fawara.

The News

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has announced that a judicial commission will be set up to investigate the killing of journalists in the province over the past four years.

He also announced payment of compensation to the families of the slain journalists. More than 30 journalists have been killed in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kalat, Hub, Turbat, Gwadar, Pasni and Panjgur since 2009.

The chief minister made the announcement in the Balochistan Assembly when journalists returned to the press gallery after staging a walkout in protest against a firing incident in Karachi in which three employees of a TV channel were killed.

Balochistan Union of Journalists chief Irfan Saeed urged the assembly to condemn the attack and put pressure on the Sindh government for early arrest of killers.

The chief minister condemned the incident and said that members of the commission would be appointed after consulting the assembly members.

DAWN