According to media reports, unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire on Abid while he was in a hairdresser’s shop. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. Abid received one bullet in the head and five others in other parts of his body.

The Balochistan Union of Journalists condemned the targeted killing of Abid, calling it “an attack on the media in Balochistan”. Talking to Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), Eesa Tareen, President of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), said Pakistan has become the most risky country for journalists, especially for those working in the restive areas including Balochistan. He said BUJ and representatives of other journalists’ organizations were planning to hold demonstrations and rallies protesting against the brutal killing of journalists from November 20 onwards.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the President of the Quetta Press Club Saleem Shahid and journalists working with Dunya TV condemned the killing of their colleague and demanded stern action by the government against the killers. The President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chief Minister of Balochistan province and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also strongly condemned the killing of the journalist. The Chief Minister announced compensation of Rs1 million (approx. US$10,395) for the bereaved family and ordered the law-enforcement agencies to arrest the killers.

Tareen of the BUJ said Abid belonged to a poor family, which is why he was working with two media organisations. He left behind a paralyzed father, sisters, two brothers and an ailing old mother. He was the only bread winner for his family. According to Abid’s family, he had no personal enmity with anyone.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

He was abducted at around six pm on May 29, while he was on his way to participate in a television talk show to discuss his investigative report published on May 27 for “Asia Times Online” which said that al-Qaeda had launched a deadly assault on a naval base (Pakistan Naval Station Mehran) in Karachi, the headquarters of the navy’s air wing, on 22 May because talks had failed over the release of several naval personnel arrested on suspicion of links to the militant group’s affiliates.

Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch said that Shahzad had previously warned that his life was in danger from the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence agency). In October 2010, Shahzad sent Human Rights Watch an email saying he was afraid he would be killed by the ISI, Hasan claimed.

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani issued routine statements expressing deep grief and sorrow and ordered an enquiry into the kidnapping and murder of the journalist. Previous enquiries into the murders of journalists have not been made public and it is not clear if the fate of this enquiry would be any different.

Shahzad leaves behind his wife and three children.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

Mushtaque Khand, cameraman for the Dharti TV news channel, was killed while Mukhtiyar Phulpoto, a correspondent for the Awami Awaaz daily, Faheem Mangi, a correspondent for the Naun Sij daily, and freelance journalist Allahdad Rind were injured. Khand was shot in the chest and in the arm and died on the spot. Phulpoto suffered a bullet wound to his arm, Mangi was shot twice, in the chest and in the abdomen, while Rind’s arm was fractured.

The injured were rushed to a local hospital where they were operated upon. Mangi was in critical condition after surgery, while Phulpoto and Rind were in a stable condition. According to press reports, two men with automatic weapons resorted to indiscriminate firing at the gathering of the ruling political party, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party. The assailants managed to escape.

Nafisa Shah Jillani, a local Member of the National Assembly, who was supposed to be the main speaker at the gathering, told the media that the event was an act of political terrorism. She said there were political opponents behind the incident. She demanded an impartial inquiry and said the attack was an attempt to destabilize democracy.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

According to press reports, Hajizai was heading home when two armed men opened fire on him. He was critically injured and rushed to a local hospital where he died.

Eesa Tareen, president of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ), told PPF that a separatist group, Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF), has assumed responsibility for Hajizai’s murder. They alleged that Hajizai was a government informer and was reporting against them.

Meanwhile, armed men opened fire on the house of the president of the Turbat Press Club, Irshad Akhtar. He and his family remained unhurt in the attack.

Condemning the murder of Hajizai and attack on the house of Akhtar, Tareen said, the BUJ would launch a protest today in front of the Quetta Press Club.

BUJ appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Balochistan government to take serious steps to ensure the safety of journalists of Balochistan.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned the killing of the journalist and firing on the house of the president of the Turbat Press Club. PFUJ Secretary-General Amin Yousuf demanded of the Balochistan government to take notice of the rising cases of murders of journalists, otherwise PFUJ would launch a countrywide protest.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

Gul’s body was found near the Singani Sar area, close to the Old Civil Hospital in Turbat. Gul had received 15 bullets to his head and chest. The body also bore marks of torture. Law enforcement agencies shifted the body to a hospital for an autopsy, where his brother identified him.

According to journalists in Turbat Press Club, Gul had not mentioned that he was receiving death threats. He hadn’t even indicated that his life was in danger. Many journalists refused to comment on the killing owing to security reasons.

Shahzada Zulfiqar, former president of Quetta Press Club, told PPF that Gul left his house late Friday evening without telling his family members, who started searching for him after he did not return. Razzaq’s family members believe that he had been abducted near his residence.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) and the Council of All Balochistan Press Clubs strongly condemned the killing. BUJ also announced a three-day mourning period. The Council of All Balochistan Press Clubs said that it will launch a protest campaign by June 1 if the culprits behind the murder were not arrested.

A large number of journalists, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) activists and workers from the Labour Federation staged protest rallies in the province, chanting slogans against the government. They were carrying black flags, placards and banners inscribed with their demands.

BUJ President Essa Tareen condemned Gul’s murder and expressed deep concern over incidents of killings of journalists in Balochistan. Quetta Press Club president Saleem Shahid said that journalism was a mission and any mission required scarifies.

Zulfiqar said this murder was another warning to journalists who are performing their duties in extremely dangerous conditions in the province and trying their best to report only the truth and dig out facts as far as possible. He said the continued killing of journalists was aimed at pressuring media and journalists to refrain from reporting the facts.

Shutter down strikes were observed in Balochistan towns of Tump, Mand, Hoshab and Turbat to protest the killing.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

According to press reports, a gunman entered in the mosque where Atif was performing evening prayers and shot him several times. He sustained multiple head injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition but succumbed to his wounds.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the killing. TTP spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan said they killed the journalist because he had refused to give coverage to the Taliban on his radio station. He claimed they had advised the slain journalist repeatedly not to take sides while covering issues related to the Taliban. The spokesman said Atif had been on their hit list and they finally eliminated him. He warned that other journalists were also on the hit list of the TTP and would be killed soon.

Safdar Hayat Dawar, president of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ), told PPF that Atif had received threats in the past from the Taliban in his hometown Mohmand Agency, of the Federally Administrated Tribal Area (FATA), and moved to Charsadda.

Dawar has announced three days of mourning and decided to stage a sit-in outside the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor’s House on January 18, 2012 against the killing of journalist Atif.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

The explosion occurred when Afridi came out of the offices of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ), where he was a regular visitor, and entered his car. The device exploded, leaving behind a completely gutted vehicle and a crater in the road. The body of the deceased was burnt beyond recognition. A few other vehicles were damaged and windowpanes of nearby buildings were smashed. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, minister of information of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said this was a case of a targeted attack and that militants have been killing journalists. He said that the authorities’ war against militancy would continue and it was their resolve to eliminate militants as they were killing innocent citizens.

Afridi had transferred from Khyber Agency to Hayatabad town in Peshawar along with his family a few years ago after receiving threats by a leader of the Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI), a Bara-based militant organisation. On May 26, 2007 unidentified persons lobbed two hand grenades at Afridi’s house, damaging the boundary wall and veranda. No one was injured in that incident.

TUJ President Safdar Hayat told PPF that militant organizations did not like Afridi because of his investigative reporting on militants in Pakistan’s Tribal region. Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Arshad Aziz Malik told PPF that Afridi was constantly threatened by militant organizations, including LeI and Ansarul Islam (AI).

Afridi had been practicing journalism for the last ten years and was president of the Bara Press Club. He leaves behind three sons, three daughters and a widow. A son and a daughter are deaf and dumb and another boy lives with mental retardation.

In a joint statement, KhUJ President Malik and General Secretary Yousaf Ali, Peshawar Press Club President Saiful Islam Saifi and General Secretary Shahid Hameed strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the journalist. They said that the government has failed to protect the lives of journalists across the country despite pressing demands by the representative bodies of the media people.

A large number of journalists from print and electronic media staged a protest demonstration after the funeral prayer of the journalist and urged authorities to punish the culprits.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Federal Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan have strongly condemned the death of Afridi. Prime Minister Gilani ordered the authorities to launch an inquiry into the incident.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

Around 39 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the blasts. Police investigators believe the first low intensity bomb was planted as a trap to target mostly the police and journalists who were expected to come to the site of the explosion.

Eight journalists including Dunya TV bureau chief Saifullah Gul, Dunya TV reporter Imran Bukhari, a young intern at the daily “The News” named Shafiullah, “The News” sub-editor Barkatullah Marwat, Geo TV reporter Qazi Fazlullah, AVT Khyber cameraman Hashim Ali and two reporters for the daily “Akhbar-i-Khyber”, Sheheryar and Riaz, were among the injured. Shafiullah is in critical condition at the Burn Care Centre in Wah Cantt. The other injured journalists were listed in stable condition after receiving treatment.

According to press reports, a low-intensity blast caused by a small explosive planted in a toilet at the Lala Restaurant at 11:45 p.m. drew rescue workers and police to the scene. The offices of several electronic and print media are also located in the densely populated area and, as such, journalists who work and reside there also rushed to the spot. A few minutes later, a large explosion rocked the area when a man on a motorbike detonated his “suicide vest”, causing a high number of casualties. The second blast left the nearby plazas badly damaged and smashed the windowpanes of several other buildings. The dead and injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital.

Abdul Haq, of the bomb disposal squad, said that two kilograms of low-quality explosive material were planted at the restaurant. He said the suicide bomber used about 12 kg of explosives mixed with ball bearings.

Meanwhile, the Taliban have denied responsibility for the blasts. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said they did not carry out the attack.

On 22 December 2009, Naveed survived a suicide bombing that ripped through the Peshawar Press Club. He sustained minor injuries in that incident. He was also previously struck by a speeding bus, resulting in fractures in one of his legs. Following that incident, he was hospitalised for several weeks and lost his job. He recently began his new position at “Akhbar-i-Khyber”. His parents are no longer living and he was unmarried. He left behind two sisters. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the blasts in Peshawar. In a statement, PFUJ Secretary-General Amin Yousuf said it was another dark day for the journalists’ community as one more colleague lost his life in the line of duty. He said journalists risk their lives in their quest for truth, without caring about their own safety. PFUJ President Pervaiz Shaukat demanded that the organisations and media outlets for which journalists who have been killed or injured worked compensate their families.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) and the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) also condemned the blasts and called on the government to take steps to protect media personnel. In a press statement, KhUJ president Arshad Aziz Malik and secretary general Yousaf Ali said that the area in which the blasts took place is dominated by newspaper and television station offices. In an emergency meeting chaired by its president, Safdar Hayat Dawar, and general secretary, Hairan Mohmand, the TUJ demanded compensation for the families of the victims.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

According to press reports, Babar was returning home from the Geo News office after performing his professional responsibilities, when two assailants on motorcycle intercepted his car at 9:21 p.m. and shot him five times through the driver’s window at close range. Eyewitnesses told journalists that Babar’s car was stopped by the attackers who, after confirming his identity, shot him dead.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Sultan Khawaja, ruled out attempted robbery as the motive behind the firing, saying “it appeared to be a premeditated murder”.

Although they were not able to pinpoint the exact reason for his death, a number of his senior colleagues at Geo News believe that Babar was killed as a result of his journalistic work. Azhar Abbas, Managing Director of the Geo Television Network, said that they don’t know who is behind this, but they definitely take it as a message for the entire media community. He added that this reflects a dangerous trend of intolerance aimed at targeting the media personnel who reveal the truth.

No one has claimed responsibility for the murder. The Police have lodged a criminal complaint filed by the deceased’s brother, Muhammad Khan Babar.

Babar leaves behind his widowed mother, three sisters and four brothers. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the killing of Babar and decided to observe a country-wide ‘black day’ on Friday 14 January 2011, by staging protest rallies and hoisting black flags in the offices of journalists’ unions and press clubs to express their resentment.

The PFUJ said this incident has once again proved that working conditions in Pakistan for media practitioners are neither conducive nor safe and the killing of media persons has become the order of the day. The PFUJ further pointed out that despite the repeated killings of media persons, none of the killers has so far been brought to justice. This situation of impunity speaks volumes about the violence and lawlessness in which media persons are forced to perform their professional assignments without any security, insurance, or training.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation

Khan is the second journalist to have died as a result of the bomb blasts. Journalist Asfandyar Abid Naveed had died on the spot. Seven other journalists sustained minor injuries in the twin blasts.

With the demise of another journalist, the overall casualties have risen to 42. Police investigators believe the first low intensity bomb was planted as a trap to target mostly the police and journalists who were expected to come to the site of the explosion.

Khan had recently completed an MA in Journalism from Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan and had joined the paper a week before the deadly attack. Khan joined other journalists in rushing to the scene of the first low-intensity blast in the toilet of a restaurant, just a few metres from the newspaper’s office, and fell victim to the subsequent suicide attack, when a man on a motorbike detonated his “suicide vest”, causing a high number of casualties.

He had received third degree burns and was transferred to the Khyber Teaching Hospital’s (KTH) burn unit. His elder brother Azizullah, who is an officer at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad, shifted him to the Pakistan Ordnance Factories’ (POF) Hospital in Wah Cantonment, where a specialized burn care centre exists. Doctors said he also received metal shrapnel in his right shoulder.

Journalists across Pakistan have condemned the blasts and asked the government to provide protection to journalists and compensation to Khan’s family.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Khan.

By: Pakistan Press Foundation