Were these journalists’ deaths preventable? Did the men have even basic safety equipment such as flak jackets, and the awareness and training to protect themselves as far as possible? They were killed in the second blast, timed to take place once people had gathered on the site of the first explosion. We also know that in the cut-throat climate of the news industry in Pakistan today and the race to grab viewers and ratings, concern about those in the actual theatre of operations is shrugged off. The unfortunate reality is that news directors from the safety of their offices miles away, urge journalists on the spot to get as close as possible to the venue of attack; if the representatives of one news outlet manages to get a closer look, the rest are sent in too. Sometimes, the journalists themselves press forward in their effort to ensure the best possible coverage. However, wiser counsel dictates that the newsmen show restraint until security personnel have declared the area safe, as was notable in the chaos that ensued after the 7/7 London bombings.

It would be incorrect to say that there is no awareness on part of news organisations. After the attack on GHQ in Rawalpindi some years ago, during which hostages were taken by the extremists, news channels debated how such events should be covered. The matter of journalists’ physical security was also discussed, and there was an attempt to collectively come up with ethical and safety mechanisms. In practice, though, this matter of concern is hardly a priority. The best service that the news business can do now in the memory of journalists killed while on duty is to revisit that safety code for newsmen. The latter must be provided life insurance, made aware of the dangers of their profession and given safety training and gear such as bullet-proof jackets. News organisations cannot improve the country’s security situation; but they can improve the survival chances of their staff.

Pakistan Press Foundation

The condolence reference was organised by CBE which, besides the journalists, was attended by people hailing from different segment of society. Addressing on the occasion, CBE President Dr Nashnas Lehri said that they would never forget the martyred journalists who laid their lives in line of duty. “We pay tribute to our slain journalist brothers who demonstrated bravery while discharging their professional duty,” he said.

Quetta Press Club President Saleem Shahid said that Balochistan had become the most dangerous zone for journalists where 32 journalists have been killed in target killing and bomb blasts in the past five years. A senior journalist Jalal Noorzai said that journalists should take steps for their security and safety since “we are in a state of war”. Fateha was also offered for the departed souls during the reference.

Pakistan Press Foundation

QUETTA: The hollow-cheeked father of the slain television cameraman, Imran Sheikh, bursts into tears while narrating the ordeal of his family. Imran Sheikh was killed in the line of duty during the recent bombings in Alamdar road area of the provincial capital along with Saifur Rehman of Samaa TV and Iqbal Hussain, a photographer of the NNI.

“I always thought that he would take me to my last resting place. But that was not to be,” Naseer Sheikh said in a broken voice. He said he was very happy when Imran got job as a cameraman at Samaa TV, and added that he never thought his son was in such a dangerous profession.

Imran’s two orphaned daughters, two-year-old Amna and one-year-old Hafza, were playing with dolls when we were offering fateha for the departed soul. As a father, he doted on them. “Once he came out of his house at midnight to purchase things for his daughters,” Ejaz Ahmed, an old colleague of Imran, said with tears in his eyes.

“It pains me when they speak of their father,” Kamran Sheikh, the girls’ uncle, said. Living in a mud- and brick-walled house of two rooms, the family has lost its sole breadwinner. The house is located in remote Muslim town area. Despite the growing incidents of looting in the area, Imran used to go to his house late in the night after completing his work.

Imran had been working in Samaa TV since beginning of 2008. He was considered to be one of the most talented cameramen in the city. “Ironically, Imran used to advise us to avoid going to dangerous spots,” Shehzad Anwar, a DawnNews cameraman, said.

“‘Please cover explosions from a distance and zoom in the visuals,’ he used to tell us,” Shehzad remarked.

Imran died when the second explosion hit the Alamdar road area on Jan 10. TV channels reported his death which was followed up by the news of Saifur Rehman’s killing. He worked as reporter for the same channel.

Saif was initially missing and the authorities confirmed his death four hours after the explosion. The intensity of the blast had damaged their bodies and faces and they could not be easily recognised.

“They are all such cruel people that they are not showing my son’s face to me,” Naseer Sheikh was quoted as blurting out at Imran’s funeral.

Over 24 journalists have fallen prey to bullets and bomb blasts in different parts of violence-plagued Balochistan over the past six years. The murderers are still at large and the authorities appear helpless.

While reporting on such heinous crimes, journalists live through a deep sense of insecurity. Many media organisations, whether print or electronic, don’t train cameramen or reporters to report from a safe distance.

Over 26 journalists were injured during different suicide attacks, bomb explosions and firing because they had not been instructed to avoid standing on the crime scene after its clearance by law-enforcement personnel.

Many of us know by now that one blast may be followed by another one and the second one is often more deadly than the first.

Two cameramen, Ejaz Raisani and Arif Malik, were killed in the same incidents. The rating race between the channels puts lives of reporters, cameramen and DSNG staff in peril.

A lesson should be learnt from the story of Imran Sheikh, Saifur Rehman and Iqbal Hussain. The families of the deceased are the worst sufferers.

Pakistan Press Foundation

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant group has claimed the responsibility for blasts which were targeted at the Hazara Shiite community.

Imran Shaikh, cameraman for “Samaa TV”, Saif ur Rehman, reporter for the same television station and Mohammad Iqbal photographer of NNI news agency were covering the scene of the suicide bomb blast when the second blast occurred, killing them on the spot. was critically injured in the blast and died later in a local hospital.

Iqbal’ s brother Muhammad Hasan, porter of Independent News Pakistan news agency; Acne Roger, cameraman for “Geo TV” and Ather, satellite engineer for “Samaa TV” were injured in the blast. The condition of Roger is stated to be in serious but stable condition. Satellite vans of number of television stations were also damaged.

A reporter of “Samaa TV” told PPF that the suicide bomber came to the basement of a building of snooker club in an area inhabited by the Hazara Shia community and blew himself up at about 9:00 PM. A few minutes his car which was parked outside the building was blown up remotely.

Police said that more than 100 kg of explosives were used in the car bomb. Over 100 persons were killed and more than 200 injured in the blasts.

Shaikh is survived by his wife and two daughters, Rehman leaves behind his wife and three sons while Iqbal was unmarried. The management of Samaa TV announced Rs.1million and one year salary for each bereaved family. The Government of Pakistan has also announced Rs.1million for the bereaved families.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and journalists from all media organizations strongly condemned the killings of journalists. PFUJ staged a countrywide protest on 11th January 2013.

Pakistan Press Foundation