The Media Commission, Pakistan, (MCP) on Wednesday has condemned the brutal of killing another journalist by security forces (SF) in Mingora city of conflict-plagued Sawat Valley. Qari Muhammad Shoaib, a correspondent of two Mingora-based dailies-Azadi and Khabar Kar-was shot dead on November 8 by the SF in the back of his head causing his immediate death when there was no curfew.
The MCP is appalled at finding that the security forces have admitted his killing a mistake and a misunderstanding. The press freedom organisation could not agree to ISPR version of confusing the car with a suicide bomber's car where journalist's vehicle was displaying a press sticker. It was the third killing of a journalist that took place in the valley in continued violence. Earlier, Siraj was killed in a deadly suicide blast at the funeral of a slain DSP in Mingora on February 29, while another journalist, Abdul Aziz, died as a result of bombardment.
Highlighting the rising figure of killings, I A Rehman, president of the MCP and Wamiq Zuberi, the general secretary, have called on the security forces and the government to carry out the rigorous investigation into the killing. They have shared the suspicion with other journalists in Mingora that it could be a deliberate attempt by security forces to kill Shoaib and an in-depth investigation can only ascertain the truth.
This killing has again exposed the volatile situation of conflict zones and the risks journalists take to perform their duties, they said. They have demanded extreme measures to be taken in conflict zones to ensure safety of life of media-persons by both security forces and terrorists.-PR
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