The journalist fraternity on Saturday held a protest demonstration against the killing of another working journalist in Balochistan, demanding for judicial probe into the brutal murder of Mahmood Afridi and tribal journalist Malik Mumtaz. The protest was spearheaded by President Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ), Arshad Aziz Malik, General Secretary Ali Hazrat Bacha, Peshawar Press Club President Nasir Hussain and other senior journalists.
The protesting journalists were carrying placards and banners, demanding for adequate steps for protection of the community and judicial probe into killing to two journalists during last week. They also raised full-throated slogans against the government and killing of senior journalist Mahmood Afridi, who was gunned down in Qalat Bazaar on Friday.
Addressing the demonstrators, PPC President Nasir Hussain strongly condemned the increasing incidents of killing of working journalists, particularly in volatile tribal region. He also criticised the government for inconclusive of probe regarding killing of several journalists in past.
Hussain said that despite taking security issue with relevant authorities, no step was practically seen in this regard. Around 12 working journalists had been killed in line of duty during last five years, he informed. He demanded of the government to proactive steps for protection of lives and property of journalists and common people. The senior journalists demanded of the government to announce a compensation package for the heirs of the slain journalists. They also appealed the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the increasing killing of working journalists in the country.