The Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), a representative body of the journalists of metropolis on Tuesday (March 21) has presented a memorandum to Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishrst-ul-Ibad Khan on the occasion of Global Action Day.
According to memorandum, the KUJ like to bring to the notice of the rulers the fate of journalist 'Hayat Ullah Khan' who was abducted by unidentified persons from the tribal areas while performing his journalistic duties on December 5, 2005, and whose whereabouts, to date, continue to be a mystery.
Despite the protestations of the journalist fraternity, the government's 'silence' raises frightening doubts about his fate.
His case once again, for the umpteenth time, highlights the hazards of reporting from the tribal areas since the area has become really hazardous, since the United States led invasion of Afghanistan and the fall of the Taleban regime in October 2001.
The memorandum further says that Hayat Ullah Khan, a journalists reporting from the tribal areas was abducted ostensibly after he reported on an explosion in the town of Haisori in North Waziristan on December 5, 2005.
Prior to this, Khan had been working for various local newspapers and as a stringer for foreign news networks. His report contradicted the official account of the incident, which said that Rabia, died after munitions exploded inside the house.
According to Khan, an air-launched missile hit the house, quoting a local tribesman. His report was authenticated by a photograph of the fragments of the missile inside the house.
Local authorities and the federal government, however, contend that Khan's report had nothing to do with the report (thus, by implication, acknowledging their role in the mystery. "It was a personal matter", they say.
Whatever the case, the fact remains that despite a passage of almost four months now, the government continues to maintain total silence despite their responsibility enjoined upon them by the cannons of governance which makes security and safety of each individual the sole responsibility of the rulers.
The situation gives rise to grave doubts about his safe return. It is atrocious that the authorities that mailer have not even bothered to gauge the trauma of the family members who are writhing in vexing uncertainty over the fate of the head of the family. The vexing question is: where is Hayat Ullah and whose custody he is writhing in.
Suffice it to say that reporting from areas in the proximity of the Pak-Afghan border ever since the US began to rain all her monstrous juggernaut over the unfortunate land of Afghanistan has become a really hazardous proposition. There are myriads of instances where journalists have receiving death threats. Many have abandoned their abodes and two were killed last year.
The KUJ believes that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. For the last three months, there has been no word on the whereabouts of Khan and it is incumbent on the government to satisfy the journalist fraternity about the unfortunate journalist's whereabouts.
The KUJ also appeals through the PFUJ, to the United Nations, International Human Rights Organisations, and other journalists' bodies to register their strong protest in this case of grave importance which has totally jeopardised the freedom of the press, especially in Pakistan.-PR