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MEDIAMONITOR
S O U T H A S I A
SOUTH ASIA MEDIA COMMISSION
Deadliest place to be a journalist
28 journalists die in target killing
Media Commission-Pakistan
South Asian Free Media Association, (SAFMA) Pakistan
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he appointment of the Judicial Commission to and death by torture sent a wave of anger and fear
investigate the Saleem Shahzad case and across the media community, which took to the streetsTother related issues is by itself a welcome to demand a probe into the ghastly act. Although thedevelopment that, in a way, may discourage those who ISI denied the allegation, fingers were raised against
are in the habit of intimidating the media. While the agency, which the deceased had himself blamed in
Saleem Shahzad's case is a test case for investigating case of possible harm. The suspicion about ISI's
agencies to unearth the truth, offering an exceptional involvement might not have held ground had the same
opportunity to break with the culture of impunity, officer not made threatening calls to various
there are other related macro-issues that need to be journalists, including myself , regarding their
deliberated on to preempt such heinous crimes and views/reports which he thought to be inimical to
uncalled-for confrontation between the media and the Pakistan's interests.
government and its security agencies. The case,
besides criminal investigations, should be evaluated This was when the armed forces had come under
in the broader context of a pattern of intimidation, greater critical scrutiny. Event after eventfrom
arm-twisting the media (persons and organizations), Abbotabad to Mehran, Kharotabad (the murder of five
freedom of expression, the right to know, security of Russians) to Karachi (the Sarfraz case) and Saleem
whistl eb lowers /messengers/re porters/anal ys ts Shahzad's gruesome murderkept the media's focus
(especially those covering or commenting on conflict) on the conduct of law enforcement agencies and
the professional hazards of conflict reporting, and defense apparatuses to the annoyance of the powersthmedia-military relations. that be. A very tough statement issued after the 139
Corps Commanders' meeting saw it as an attempt to
As a journalist and media rights activist, the objective drive a wedge between the armed forces, organs of
of my appearance before the Commission is not to the state, and the nation, and resolved to put an endmalign any person or security institution, which I to it [unfortunate trend]. I understand the kind of
regard as the pivotal bulwark of our national security, pressure on our armed forces and appreciate the
but to help the Commission to look at the broader difficulties they face in their own and the nation's fight
picture and recommend ways to avoid such against terrorism. They need our and the entire
controversies and safeguard journalists and the nation's fullest and unflinching support to root out
sanctity of their profession, while helping various this scourge.
government security agencies, if you so permit, evolve
a modus operandi that is lawful, useful, honorable, That said, Pakistan has a long history of
and in conformity with fundamental human rights, unconstitutional military rule, censorship, and both
civil and political rights and the Johannesburg the intimidation of the media and its co-option by
Principles (1995). dictators. We have seen the protracted struggle ofboth the media and civil/political society for freedom
Saleem Shahzad's brutal murder took place against of expression, a free press, democracy, and
the backdrop of the humiliation of the Abbottabad fundamental rights. From Field Marshall Ayub Khan
operation and an investigative report by the deceased to General Yahya Khan, General Ziaul Haq to General
journalist on the terrorist attack on the Mehran naval Musharraf, we have seen the brutalization of civil
base in Karachi that exposed the vulnerability of our society, the muzzling of the press, and the
valuable strategic assets to Pakistan's foremost marginalization of civilian structures, including
enemythe terrorists. Saleem Shahzad's kidnapping representative institutions, judiciary, civil service,
Media-Military Relations(Statement before the Judicial Commission on Saleem Shahzad's killing)
Imtiaz Alam, Editor South Asian Journal, Secretary General, SAFMA
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political parties and the media. The expansion of the attack for making a joint cause with lawyers and civil
military establishment's writ to strategic civilian society.
spheres continued even after the exit of military
dictators under various civilian dispensations. This Post-9/11, as the war against terrorism started and
characterizes the tension in civil-military and media- conflict expanded to far-flung regions, conflict
military relations. reporting became a major preoccupation of the
mediaboth print and electronic. A large number ofA typical policy of carrot and stick pursued by both journalists found conflict reporting to be a
military dictators and civilian rulers produced two dangerously flourishing undertaking. That is why, as
types of media role models: the darbarior toddy type in other conflict zones, the number of journalist
and the defiantly professional type. Those who learnt casualties peaked in our country and it became the
the art of sycophancy and changed their ideologies most dangerous place in the world for journalists.
and betrayed the callings of their profession turned Given the vulnerability of journalists in conflict
out to be most successful and those who were reporting and their professional urge for stories from
romantic or professionals who stuck to their ideals the battlefield and from within warring parties,
and kept the sanctity of their profession above every including jihadi outfits and the military and its
temptation and faced all kinds of persecution and agencies, they felt the need to be embedded in various
turned out to be failures. The worst periods were parties to the conflict.those of Ayub Khan, who took over Progressive Papers
Ltd and created the Press Trust, Yahya Khan, who Conflict reporting became a complicated and
slaughtered journalists and intelligentsia who dangerous job, given the treacherous nature of infinite
opposed his military action in East Pakistan, and warring factions and various local and international
worst of all General Zia who co-opted the so-called agencies engaged in turf wars. Musharraf's dual policy
Islamists who declared him Amir-ul-Momineen and of appeasing both warring camps further sent
lashed out at those who dared to stand up to his conflicting signals to the world, jihadis, and his own
hypocrisy by either throwing them out of the establishment. This hypocritical policy conceded
profession or sending them to jail. everything secretly to US demands while denying it in
public to preserve a dubious faade on issues such as
As access to power is a source of greater privileges in drone attacks, etc. On one hand, our valiant soldiers
the Third World, a new breed of successful journalists were fighting terrorists guilty of attacking innocent
also came to the fore those who had access to civilians and soldiers; on the other hand, other
information that was available to few under operatives were being asked to give sanctuary to those
authoritarian dispensations. A censorship regime also that Musharraf thought might provide him with
flourished during military governments and the bargaining chips.
oversight by the military personnel extended to
newsrooms and journalists, while were hired on a This not only confused many in the security
special payroll to do the dirty work which continued establishment, it also sent conflicting signals to
even after the military ruler was gone. An interesting journalists who were either embedded or who, in their
phenomenon flourished under General Musharraf, professional zeal, had tried to expose the real face of
who learnt his lesson from the Kargil misadventure various parties to the conflict. Most journalists who
and realized the importance of the media's role, were caught in the crossfire of the conflict or lost their
subsequently allowing it to expand as part of his lives in target killings by state or nonstate actors were
overall strategy. He also encouraged the penetration victims of this planned but confusing war theatre. As
of intelligence agencies to keep control of what had the war theatre expanded and became increasingly
become uncontrollable. The struggle to win back complex, the intelligence agencies tried to bring more
civilian space peaked when the movement for the and more media persons and organizations on board.
restoration of an independent judiciary was joined by Not only did some embedded journalists become
a buoyant electronic media, which also came under victims of their own critiques when they broke with
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the establishment's line, many brave journalists who threat. Moreover, the Commission should
remained loyal to their professional code fell to the open its proceedings to the public.
guns of mercenaries.
2. All cases of the target killings of journalists
Two lessons are to be drawn from this murky should be investigated and the culprits
experience: brought to justice. The Commission must
supervise the investigation into theOne, journalists should seek information from kidnapping and murder of Saleem Shahzad
wherever possible without becoming part of or spying and probe all alleged suspects with the
for one warring group or the other, including security cooperation of various agencies.
organizations and militant outfits. They must adhere
to their professional code of conduct while taking the 3. In its enlightened self-interest, the ISI must
necessary safety measures. That said, reporting on clear its name in the Saleem Shahzad case
conflict objectively, fearlessly, and impartially and investigate the conduct of its often named
remains a professional hazard. media handler and others who have allegedly
threatened other journalists. Other agencies,
Two, the security and intelligence agencies should including the IB and naval intelligence, must
draw a clear line that does not exceed their lawful also explain their conduct with regard to thelimits, which otherwise brings a bad name to their media.
professional institutions. The ISI must deflate its
larger-than-life image, focus on its mandated job, and 4. The armed forces, paramilitary forces, and
evolve a transparent policy in its relationship with the their intelligence agencies, the IB and other
media. It should drastically rethink its media- secret agencies, must evolve a clear policy and
engagement policy and dispense with the army of code of conduct for embedding journalists
pseudo-journalists that it keeps on its payroll and who and refrain from trying to control the media.
have proved to be good for nothing. It must stop those In their own institutional interest, they
elements within that indulge in all manner of unlawful should critically rethink media-military
actsharassing citizens and journalistsand bring a relations whi le respect ing freedom of
bad name to an otherwise most effective arm of our expression and the right to know. There are
national security. I hope that the ISI under General better ways of doing things than adopting
Pasha's able and credible leadership will take all rough and counterproductive tactics.
possible measures to rid his institution of
unscrupulous elements and stop dreaming about 5. Journalists reporting on conflict must
controlling the uncontrollablethe media of the new observe the Media Code of Ethics.
cyber age.
6. Journalists should be provided risk and life
I propose the following: insurance coverage both by the government
and media employers. Training in conflict
1. Besides investigating Saleem Shahzad's case, reporting, the provision of safety measures
the Judicial Commission must expand its and kits, and security by security agencies are
mandate to address the intimidation of some of the measures that should be
journalists, the media-military relationship, undertaken.
secret funds to manipulate the media, issues
of freedom of expression and the right to 7. Freedom of expression must be respected in
know, security of and insurance coverage for the light of the Johannesburg Principles
media persons, and create an institutional (1995) and all state functionaries should be
arrangement, such as an ombudsman, to made aware of them. The proposed Freedom
provide protection to journalists under of Information draft should be presented
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SOUTH ASIAMEDIACOMMISSION
before Parliament for approval and rules framed profession must be stopped by the leadership
immediately. of the armed forces, while special cells should
be created in all security agencies to address
8. Ombudsmen with powers equivalent to citizens' complaints against the excesses of
Supreme/High Court judges should be agency officials.
appointed at the federal, provincial, and
FATA level to address all complaints of 10. All secret funds held by the Information
harassment and killing of journalists. Ministry, other ministries, and secret
Similarly, all media organizations must also agencies regarding the media should be
appoint an autonomous and effective regularly scrutinized by a joint committee of
ombudsman in their respective organizations Parliament.
to resolve all complaints against media
persons. [email protected] Cell
0300-8426425
9. The interference of agencies in the media
4
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akistan's Military Inc is angry at leading underpin the nation-state. Therefore if the latter is
sections of the local and foreign media for kosher for critical appraisal, the former should not
Pspreading false, baseless and malicious take exception to an application of the same rules to itsnews and analyses designed to destabilize and own behaviour and output.undermine the armed forces. Nothing less than avicious conspiracy against the noble and heroic The military should also realize that it cannot and
armed forces is alleged. should not monopolize the definition and defense of
There are two core dimensions to this angry retort. the national interest if it simultaneously wishes to
The first relates to domestic media criticism of the confer the ownership of it to the elected civilian
mil ita ry 's perf orm anc e, r ole and pol icy as government when it runs into trouble because of
demonstrated by a string of recent failures which indefensible and opaque policies contradictions in
show the military and its various agencies and allied point being the strategic or transactional
institutions in rather poor, even humiliating, light. relationship with the US, the winking policy on dronesThe second concerns the local media which is fearful and the war against the Al-Qaeda-Taliban terrorists
and angry after Saleem Shahzad's abduction and (our war or theirs).
killing and is alleging that the criminals' footprints
(as per Saleem's last testament to media watchdogs) The military's case on all core issues has been
lead to Aab Para. enormously weakened by its outright refusal, at first,
to accept independent and credible commissions of
The first clutch of criticisms relates to the military's inquiry both about its performance and about the
performance. The issue for the military here is not so Saleem Shahzad case and then, faced with relentless
much about the validity of the facts which are media pressure to concede, to try and tilt such
undeniable but whether it is proper to reveal them inquiries in its own favour by clutching at exclusionist
because they weaken the morale and public standing notions of national security and national interest.
of the armed forces and thereby undermine national It would have been less arrogant and more advisable
security. to concede independent commissions but to restrict
their findings to parliamentary or judicial committees
A rejoinder is in order. with powers to classify sensitive or national
In a democracy there are no sacred cows. If elected security issues, an acceptable norm in most
prime ministers, presidents, chief ministers, democracies.
opposition leaders, civil servants and businessmen
can be hounded out of government or dragged off to The military's understanding of the way the free
jails and courts, if the conduct of judges and their media functions in most established democracies is
judgments can be seriously questioned and criticized, also lacking. Such democracies in the West or in India
if the media can be regulated, if parliament can be put are built on solid and enduring foundations of civilian
on the mat, why can't the armed forces be stretched on and constitutional oversight over their respective
the same accountability rack? Surely, national militaries. That is why the civilians are quick to bail
security is determined as much by the potency of the out their militaries because they have established
military (which potency is determined by the institutional ownership of their country's military
yardstick of actual performance on the ground in any adventures and policies. That is also why the media in
eventuality) as it is by the vitality of the politico- such consensually-built democracies is quick to line
economic system and its interlocutors (civilians) that up behind their democratic governments and
Patriotism and the national interestNajam Sethi, Secretary General of South Asia Media Commission (SAMC)
SOUTH ASIAMEDIACOMMISSION
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subservient militaries and the slogan of my country, The Pakistani military accuses the Pakistani media of
right or wrong resounds with force. Therefore it is not being as patriotic as the Western and Indian
tilting at windmills to accuse the western media of media because it is critical of its national security
destabilizing Pakistan by spreading lies that institutions unlike the enemy. In the event, the boot
undermine the Pakistani military, without making the might well be on the other foot. Even after threesame charge at their strategic foreign allies in which disastrous interventions spanning thirty years and a
such media are democratically and consensually military misadventure in Kargil in which elected
embedded. civilians and fellow air force and navy comrades were
kept out of the loop, the Pakistani army refuses to be
The difference between the free media in such subservient to the civilian constitutional order and
established, consensual and functional civilian insists of monopolizing the national interest. Under
democracies and the free media in a dysfunctional and the circumstances, it is a moot point at best whether
fledgling democracy with excessive military overhang the media or the military is more or less patriotic in
in Pakistan is also worth stating. heeding or hoodwinking Pakistan's democracy and
the constitution.
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Threats to journalists' safety on the riseJournalists in Pakistan are faced with insecurity. Threats to the safety of journalists, especially
those working in the conflict areas, are mounting against the backdrop of Pakistani state's fight
against militants. Journalists find it difficult to perform their duties. While militants target them
with impunity, fingers are also raised at the role of state agencies in their kidnapping and killing.
Forty-eight journalists have been killed in Pakistan since 2004, 28 of them in targeted attacks
earning Pakistan a dreadful tag of the deadliest place to be a journalist. Not in a single case, the
culprits have been arrested or prosecuted.
Given the serious threats to media freedom, the Media Commission-Pakistan, a country chapter of
the regional media rights watchdog South Asia Media Commission (SAMC), which was formed in
2007 was reorganized. On the demand of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, SAFMA andSAMC and the media community at large, the government set up a Judicial Commission to probe
the killing of Saleem Shahzad and a pattern of intimidation and assassinations of journalists in
Pakistan.
The PFUJ, Media Commission-Pakistan and SAFMA Pakistan proposed a four member Media
Committee to follow the Shahzad case and formulate recommendations for the protection of
journalists. The Media Committee is headed by M Ziauddin, editor, the Express Tribune. Zahid
Hussain, SAFMA Pakistan vice president, Tariq Chaudhary, PFUJ vice president, and Tahir
Rathore, the president of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists are other members of the
committee.
The MCP and SAFMA Pakistan propose that besides investigating Saleem Shahzad's case, theJudicial Commission expand its mandate to address the intimidation of journalists, the media-
military relationship, secret funds to manipulate the media, issues of freedom of expression and
the right to know, security of and insurance coverage for media persons, and create an institutional
arrangement, such as an ombudsman, to provide protection to journalists under threat. They also
want the Commission to open its proceedings to the public.
Sadaf ArshadExecutive Editor, South Asia Media MonitorCoordinator, Media Commission-Pakistan
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1: Wali Khan Babar and Faisal Mota was the mastermind, while three
January 13, 2011 other accused men are still missing. The murder
Wali Khan Babar, a reporter working for Geo was planned in KBR Colony at Mota's house forth January 12. After they failed to locate him, theyNews TV, was gunned down on January 13 in a
followed him from his office and intercepted himtargeted attack in Liaqatabad. Babar, 29, was the
near a school in Liaquatabad No. 1 on January 13,first reporter to die in the line of duty in Pakistan
reported Express Tribune.in 2011. According to the police, his bullet riddled
body was found in his car near the Super Market
A car (registration no. AM-22) was used. Babarshopping centre. According to Geo News, Babar
was killed for his daring reporting about targetwas stopped by terrorists on his way back homekillers, land grabbers and drug peddlers, saidand was shot dead after identifying him. Geo
the CCPO. The men are hardened criminals andNews called it a target killing in which Babar
involved in other target killings, but we are notreceived at least five bullets.
sure of their political affiliations, added Mirza.
Five men suspected of being involved in target
Those involved in the murder have beenkillings, including the murder of Wali Khan
remanded to the custody of the SpecialBabar were arrested on April 7. They have
Investigation Unit (SIU) till April 18. Theywereconfessed to killing Babar on January 13, said
brought to the Sindh High Court in an armoured-police chief Saud Mirza at a press conference. The
personnel carrier. The case was heard by Justicemen were identified as Faisal Mehmood,Maqbool Baqar in his capacity as theMuhammed Ali Rizvi, Shahrukh, Naveed and
administrative judge for the Anti-TerrorismMuhammed Shakeel. They were arrested from
Courts. Special Public Prosecutor ArshadGulshan-i-Iqbal. The absconding men wanted in
Cheema told the media that the accused have notthe case include Faisal 'Mota', Asad, Nasir,
been interrogated about Babar's murder sinceKamran and Saeed 'Commando'.
they had been arrested for some other crime. If
any evidence is found, they will be duly charged.At least 17 to 18 men were involved in the murder,
48 journalists dieincluding 28 in target killings
2004-2011
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on a motorcycle on his way home to
Two policemen, a police officer's brother and one Liaquatabad's police lines on January 31. He was
informer linked to the investigations into Wali linked to the case as he had identified the vehicle
Khan Babar's murder have been methodically Babar's attackers used. He was at the spot at the
targeted over four months of 2011. The Karachi time of the murder and noted down its
chief of police, Saud Mirza, admitted in a press registration number.
conference on April 7, 2011, that there was a The third victim was head constable Arshad
problem. There are threats to the lives of the Kundi (linked to victim No. 1). On March 19, he
investigators of this case, he said, but we are was shot dead in a drive-by attack by two men on
making arrangements for the foolproof security a motorcycle in Sohrab Goth. He worked with the
of these officers. Gulshan-e-Iqbal investigations police.
The first victim was Rajab Ali Bengali, a police The fourth victim, Naveed Khan, was the brother
informer, who was found dead, his body in a sack, of SHO Supermarket Shafiq Tanoli, who was part
on January 29 in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.. The police of the investigations. Naveed Khan was shot dead
found in his pocket a slip of paper with the name on April 7, the same day chief of police Saud
of head constable Arshad 'Kundi' written on it. Mirza gave a press briefing on Babar's case.
The note said that Kundi would be next. An Tanoli told The Express Tribune: I was a
officer involved in the investigation explained member of the team formed with the TPO
that HC Kundi was linked to the Babar case as he Liaquatabad to investigate this case. We arrested
was taking information from Bengali and was an important suspect from the Punjab. Aside
giving it to TPO Liaquatabad Naveed Khwaja. from this, there was no other reason why
someone would target my family. We've looked at
The second victim was police constable Asif Rafiq all other possibilities.
who was killed in a drive-by shooting by two men
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May 31, 2011 commission directed the FIA to access Shahad's
Syed Saleem Shahzad, who worked for Asia emails and produce them before the commissionthTimes Online and Italian news agency at the next hearing on July 6 . The PTA chairman
thAdnkronos, went missing on May 29 after was directed to produce a complete record of
writing about alleged links between Al-Qaeda calls made and received on Saleem Shahzad's cell
and Pakistan's navy. His body was found on May phone.st The PTA failed to submit Shahzad's cell phone31 near the town of Mandi Bahauddin, about 75
record to the commission in this meeting. Themiles (120 kilometers) south of the capital,
PTA has contacted the service providers andIslamabad.asked to preserve the call records.
thThe Supreme Court (SC) on June 16 accepted
The judicial commission probing SaleemSupreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)
Shahzad's murder on July 6 summoned 16 seniorpresident Asma Jahangir's petition, for the
journalists in their next meeting to be held onformation of an independent commission to
July 9. The list of journalists asked to appearprobe Shehzad's murder. This development
before the commission includes Hamid Mir,followed a five-member bench judicial
Zahid Hussain, Talat Hussain, Naseem Zehracommission formed by the federal government,
and Matiullah Jan, Aizaz Syed, Umer Cheemato be headed by Justice Saquib Nisar. Other
and president APNS Hameed Haroon amongmembers of the commission include Federal others.Shariah Court Chief Justice Agha Rafique, the
Islamabad DIG, Additional IG Investigation
The commission has asked journalists to providePunjab and PFUJ president.
information and help the investigation move
forward. The PFUJ provided the probeThe judicial commission, which startedth, commission with names of ten journalists whoproceedings on June 27 directed the FIA and
are willing to come forward and help. An earlierPTA to preserve all of Shahzad's records. The
instruction of reaching out to the family, friends
SOUTH ASIAMEDIACOMMISSION
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2: Syed Saleem Shahzad
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SAFMA, SAMC demand judicial probe into Shahzad killing
LAHORE, May 31: South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and South Asia Media
Commission (SAMC) have condemned the killing of Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad
abducted in Islamabad a couple of days ago and demanded a judicial inquiry to probe the
incident and bring culprits to justice.
We are outraged at Shahzad's killing after mysterious disappearance. It is greatly worrying
that such gruesome events have been happening frequently against the backdrop of Pakistani
state's fight against militants, said SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam and SAMC Secretary
General Najam Sethi in a joint statement.
Journalists find it difficult to perform their duties as both parties the state agencies and the
militants -- target them with impunity, they said.
While South Asia has mourned the killing of at least 20 journalists, 12 of them from Pakistan, in
2010, Shahzad's death is the fourth this year in the line of duty.
The government should ensure that such incidents do not happen again and journalists work in
a safe environment. Showing no tolerance, it should also hold accountable those responsible for
such violations of journalists' right to information and expression, the SAFMA and SAMC
heads urged.
They called upon the concerned authorities to set their own house in order instead of
suppressing information dissent in the name of security. They also demanded a judicial inquiry
to probe the incident and bring culprits to justice.
SAMC, SAFMA
ISI denies it is behind Saleem Shahzad's killing
KARACHI: Pakistan's main intelligence agency issued a rare media statement June 1, to deny it was behind the
abduction and killing of a journalist who was investigating terrorism.
The ISI statement, in the form of a story carried by the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan, quoted an
unidentified intelligence official. It is regrettable that some sections of the media have taken upon themselves to
use the incident for targeting and maligning the ISI, the official was quoted as saying.
The agency's operatives occasionally brief journalists, but do not normally release information through APP.
The APP report quoted the ISI officer as saying there was nothing sinister about the meeting. The official said the
ISI would leave no stone unturned in helping to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice, but warned
that the media should act with responsibility to avoid any possible legal problems. It did not elaborate.
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14
and colleagues of the journalist for submitting
information voluntarily did not work, hence the
commission has decided to summon those who
could be of any help, the federal information
secretary said. IG Punjab and IG Islamabad, who
are a part of this commission as well, were
instructed to share their independent police
findings to the commission.
3: Ashiq Ali Mangi A six-member special investigation team hasFebruary 17, 2010 been constituted to probe the killing of Musa
Ashiq Ali Mangi, a reporter for Mehran TV, was Khankhel on February 20. It was formed onth
shot dead on February 17 outside the Khairpur directives of NWFP Inspector General of PolicePress Club by an unidentified gunman. Mangi Malik Naveed Khan reported Dawn. A policemay have been targeted for his professional work spokesman said the deputy inspector general ofafter airing footage of a feud been two local
police, Malakand range, would head the teamgroups on the privately owned Mehran TV. and its members included district police officer
of Swat, head of investigation department of4: Faiz Mohammad Khan Sasoli Swat, DSP Adam Khan and two inspectors Akbar
June 29, 2010 Khan and Mir Chaman Khan of the investigationFaiz Mohammad Khan Sasoli, former president unit of Peshawar. He said the additional IGPof Khuzdar Press Club and a correspondent of (investigation), Peshawar, would overallIndependent News of Pakistan (INP) and Daily supervise the investigation. Any suspect
Aaj Kal, was killed by unidentified persons in arrested in this case will be interrogated by thethKhuzdar district on June 29 . joint interrogation team, NWFP, the spokesman
said.5: Haji Misri Khan Orakzai
September 14, 2010 The investigation team formed to probe theHaji Misri Khan Orakzai, a reporter of Urdu- murder of Musa Khankhel has failed to beginlanguage dailies Ausaf and Mashriq, was investigation even after the passage of more thanmurdered in Hangu, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, on a month reported The News on March 24. The
thSeptember 14 . The Taliban claimed the team has only taken his (Musa's) blood-stainedresponsibility for his killing and threatened to clothes. It even did not record our statements,attack other journalists. said Essa Khankhel, brother of the slain Musa
Khankhel, who is also a journalist.6: Musa Khankhel
February 18, 2009 Commissioner of Malakand Syed MuhammadMusa Khankhel, correspondent of The News and Javed said, No progress has been made inGeo TV in the conflict-plagued region of investigation of Musa's murder. Actually, we areMingora, was kidnapped in Matta Tehsil of Sawat busy in other important issues and could not take
where he was covering the visit of Tehrik Nifaz-i- up the investigation into Musa's murder, heShariat Muhammadi's chief Maulana Sufi said, adding that they could give no timeframe forMohammad. Later his bullet-ridden body was completion of the probe. Javed said that as soonfound. as police were made fully functional in the
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troubled valley, Musa Khankhel's probe would be
started. Zubair Ahmed Mujahid, correspondent for the
national Urdu-language dailyJang, was shot
7: Dr. Chishti Mujahid dead while traveling on a motorcycle with
February 9, 2008 another journalist in the city of Mirpurkhas in therd.Dr. Chishti Mujahid, a senior columnist and southern province of Sindh November 23 Local
photojournalist working for the Urdu language journalists believed their colleague was slain
weekly Akhbar-e-Jehan, was killed by a because of his investigative reporting. My
gunman in Satellite Town, Quetta, on February brother was killed because of the critical articles
9th. Dr Mujahid along with his wife reached near he wrote, including on the state of the poor in our
the van waiting outside their house, a young man region, his older brother Muhammad Iftikhar
approached Dr Mujahid and opened fire with an said. The experienced correspondent for Jang
automatic weapon. The Balochistan Liberation wrote a weekly column Crime and punishment
Army (BLA), an underground separatist group, in which he often exposed landowners and police
claimed responsibility for murdering the officers.
journalist, saying that he had been supportive of
government policies and indulged in 'anti- 11: Hayatullah Khan
Baloch propaganda' in his political commentary.
8: Muhammad Ibrahim Khan
May 21, 2008
Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, a reporter for
privately-owned Express TV and its Urdu-
language sister daily Express, and general
secretary of TUJ (Bajaur unit), was gunned downst
by unidentified assailants on May 21 . He was
returning after interviewing with Maulvi Umar,
spokesman for the Tehrik Taliban-i-Pakistan
when five gunmen sprayed Ibrahim, with bullets
near Inayat Kali. No group had claimedJune 16, 2006responsibility so far for the killing.
Hayatullah Khan's body was found by villagers in
the North Waziristan town of Miran Shah onth
June 16 , where he had been kidnapped six
months earlier. Khan was abducted on December9: Qari Muhammad Shoaib5, 2005, by five gunmen who ran his car off theNovember 8, 2008
road as his younger brother, Haseenullah,Qari Muhammad Shoaib, a correspondent forwatched helplessly.two Mingora-based dailies, Azadi and Khabar
th Federal government on June 19, 2006,Karwas shot on November 8 by the securityappointed a Commission of Inquiry to probe theforces in the back of his head causing hisdeath of Hayatullah Khan. The commissionimmediate death when there was no curfew. Theconsisting of Mr Justice Mohammad Raza Khansecurity forces have admitted to killing theof Peshawar High Court will ascertain the causesjournalist by mistake and misunderstanding.of murder of late Mr Hayatullah Khan and10: Zubair Ahmed Mujahid
November, 23, 2007
SOUTH ASIAMEDIACOMMISSION
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16
correctness of allegations regarding the aforesaid September 14, 2006
murder and to identify the persons or persons Maqbool Hussain Siyal, district correspondent of
responsible for the mischief. the Online news agency, was gunned down by
unidentified assailants in Dera Ismail Khan. He
The commis sion wil l commence inquiry was on his way to meet PPP leader Nawab Azek
immediately at place fixed by it and submit its when two gunmen, riding a bike, fired on him atreport, its findings and recommendations within Circular Road. An FIR was lodged with the City
thirty days or within such further period as may police station under section 302 of the Pakistan
be extended by the federal government at the Penal Code by his cousin Zaffar Abbas. Police
instance of the commission. The Commission has said it is looking into the incident from sectarian
been formed under the sub section (1) of the angle as well because Siyal belonged to Shia sect.
section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956
(VI of 1956) and sub section (1) of section 5.
Federal government has also announced that all
provision of sub sections (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6)
of section of 5 of the aforesaid act will apply to the
commission.
The Pakistani authorities, including information
minister Mohammad Ali Durrani, have greeted
the findings of the two reports they have received 13: Sajid Tanoli
about the kidnapping and murder of Hayatullah January 29, 2004
Khan on September 13, reported Reporters sans Sajid Tanoli, a reporter with the regional Urdu-
Frontiers (RSF). language daily Shumal, , was stopped on a
highway, dragged from his car and shot several
Judge Mohammad Raza Khan sent the report on times, in the town of Mansehra, NWFP. Ali
his investigation into the Hayatullah Khan case Asghar, the journalist's brother, filed a report
to the authorities in Islamabad on 18 August, one with the Model Police Station accusing a local
month late. "I have done my job by handing in councillor, Javed Khan, of allegedly killing
this report," he told Reporters sans Frontiers. "It Tanoli for exposing his illegal business.
is now up to the government to publish it or not."
The judge interviewed many people, including 14/15: Mir Nawab and Allah Noor
Khan's family and a RSF representative. Despite February 7, 2005
requests by journalists' organisations, the Amir Nawab, also known as Mir Nawab, a
commission conducted all of its interviews freelance cameraman for Associated Press
without the press or public being present. The Television News and a reporter for the Frontier
governor of North-West Frontier Province Post newspaper and Allah Noor, working forannounced on 9 September that the team he had Peshawar-based Khyber TV, were shot by
ordered to investigate the Khan murder had also gunmen in Wana, South Waziristan on Februarythsubmitted its report to the government in 7 . The journalists were on their way back from
Islamabad. the town of Sararogha, where they were covering
the surrender of suspected tribal militant
Baitullah Mehsud. A car overtook the journalists'
12: Maqbool Hussain Siyal bus, and assailants opened fire with AK-47
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assault rifles. opposition MQM and ANP.
16: Ilyas Nizzar (Motive unconfirmed) 20: Mujeebur Rehman Saddiqui (Motive
January 5, 2011 unconfirmed)
The body of Ilyas Nizzar, a reporter with the September 16, 2010
Baloch-language magazine Darwanth, was Mujeebur Rehman Saddiqui, a Dargai-basedth correspondent of Daily (Roznama) Pakistan,found on January 5 near the small town of
was shot by unidentified men as soon as he camePidrak, about 90 miles west of Karachi. He was
out of a mosque after prayers in the Khyberreportedly abducted on the night of Decemberth Pakhtoonkhwa on September 16th.28 , 2010, while travelling from Balochistan's
capital, Quetta, to his home in Turbat. It is not
21: Abdul Hameed Hayatan (Motiveclear whether Nizzar was killed because of his
unconfirmed)journalistic work.
November 18, 2010
Abdul Hameed Hayatan, popularly known as17: Abdost Rind (Motive unconfirmed)
Lala Hameed Baloch, reporter and photographerJanuary 18, 2011
of daily Karachi, Tawar, and Royal TV wasAbdost Rind, a reporter with Daily Eagle, wasth abducted from southwestern port city of Gwadarshot dead on February 18 by unidentified
on October 25 and his body was later found at aassailants in Turbat, Balochistan, He was
deserted place in Sami river of Turbat district ofreturning from work when people onth
Balochistan province on November 18 .motorcycles shot him four times where he died
immediately.
22: Sultan Mehmood Chandio (Motive
unconfirmed)18: Rehmatullah Shaheen (Motive
December 5, 2010unconfirmed)
Sultan Mehmood Chandio, president ofApril 1, 2011
Mirpurkhas Press Club and also associated withA bullet-riddled body of a Baloch journalist,
Sindhi TV channel Awaz, was shot dead outsideRehmatullah Shaheen, was recovered fromthhis house in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, on December 5 .Quetta after a month of kidnapping. On a tip-off,
Chandio in past received death threats andthe police recovered the body from Barech Town
informed the then DPO of Mirpurkhas.and moved it to Bolan Medical Complex Hospital
for autopsy. Hospital sources said Shaheen was
23: Raja Assad Hameed (Motiveshot in the head that resulted into instant death,
unconfirmed)as there were already some torture marks on his
March 16, 2009body.
Raja Assad Hameed, a senior reporter for the
daily Nation and Waqt TV Channel, was shot four19: Zaman Ibrahim (Motive unconfirmed)times by unidentified assailants as he arrived atApril 2, 2011
his home in Rawalpindi on March 26th. He diedZaman Ibrahim, crime reporter with vernacular
in hospital.Daily Extra News, was shot dead by two
motorcyclists in Karachi. Ibrahim was involved
with a local group called the People's Aman
Committee, which is the ruling PPP's militant
24: Amir Wakeel (Motive unconfirmed)counterpoint to the armed militias of the
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January 24, 2009
Unknown assailants gunned down a senior
journalist, Amir Wakeel, who was working as an
editor in a local daily 'Awami Inqalab' on January 27: Malik Muhammad Ismail (Motiveth unconfirmed)24 in Rawalpindi.
November 1, 2006
Malik Muhammad Ismail, editor of a national25: Khadim Sheikh (Motive unconfirmed)
news agency Pakistan Press International (PPI)April 24, 2008
Islamabad, was killed under mysteriousUnidentified people shot dead Khadim Sheikh,
circumstances and his body was found from thethe editor of local newspaper Hub News, and also
green belt of F-6/1, some 30 feet away fromworking as the bureau chief of a private TV
Shahid-e-Millat Road. Medical report confirmedchannel. Police said Khadim Sheikh was going to
that it was a case of target killing as he was hit byhis office on a motorbike on April 24th with his
blunt weapon like hammer. Islamabad.friend when two people on a bike opened fire on
them on Sakaran road in Quetta.
28: Ubaidullah Azhar (Motive
unconfirmed)
July 6, 2005
Ubaidullah Azhar, district correspondent of
Alakhbar, Din, Subh, and Online, by gunmen in
Daragai, a tribal town in the North West Frontierth .'
Provine (NWFP) on July 6
1: Nasrullah Afridi
Kalashnikovs, who shot him at point blank range
as he was distributing newspapers.
26: Nisar Ahmed Solangi (Motive
unconfirmed)
June 17, 2007
Nisar Ahmed Solangi who worked for a Sindhi
daily, was gunned down in Pir-jo-Goth in theth
interior of Sindh in Karachi on June 17 . He died
in a hail of nine bullets after he was ambushed by
six people on motorbikes and armed with
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May 11, 2011
Nasrullah Afridi, who was associated with PTV 6: Ejazul Haq
and the Urdu dailyMashriq, was killed on May May 28, 2010th Ijaz-ul-Haq, a satellite technician of Lahore11 when a remote-control device planted in his
based TV channel City 42, was among 94car exploded at Peshawar's Khyber Super
people killed in armed attacks on the Mosques ofMarket.
minority Ahmedi community in Garhi Shahu andth
2: Asfandyar Khan Model Town areas of Lahore on May 28 .
June 11, 2011
Asfandyar Khan, a reporter for the newspaper 7: Mohammad Sarwar (media worker)
Akhbar-e-Khyber, died in a double bombing on September 3, 2010th Mohammad Sarwar, Aaj TV media crew driver,June 11 that took the lives of more than three
was g shot dead in a gunfire that erupted after adozen people. The first, small blast went off at asuicide blast targeting the Al-Quds day rally in amarket, drawing a large crowd, including
rdjournalists such as Khan who were covering the marketplace in central Quetta on September 3 .
story.
8 : Ejaz Ahmed Raisani
3: Shafiullah Khan September 6, 2010
June 11, 2011 A news cameraman of Samaa TV, Ejaz Ahmed
Shafiullah Khan, a trainee reporter at the daily Raisani, was injured in an attack on Al-Quds day
The News, who got injured in a double bombing rally in a marketplace in central Quetta onth th
on June 11 , died six days later from extensive September 3 and died on September 6 .
burn injuries.
9: Abdul Wahab and Pervez Khan
4: Arif Malik December 6, 2010
April 16, 2010 Two reporters, Abdul Wahab of Express TV and
Arif Malik, a cameraman of Samaa news channel, Pervez Khan of Waqt TV, were killed in twinth suicide bombing in Mohmand Agency, FATAwas killed in an attack in Quetta on April 16
thwhen a suicide bomber blew himself up inside a while covering a peace jirga on December 6 .
hospital. The banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi claimed
the responsibility for the attack. 10: Muhammad Imran and Saleem Tahir
Awan
January 4, 2009
5: Azmat Ali Bangash Two journalists, Muhammad Imran, a trainee
April 17, 2010 cameraman with Express TVand Saleem Tahir
Azmat Ali Bangash,a reporter working for PTV, Awan, a freelance reporter for local newspapers
Samaa TV and APP news agency, was killed, Apna and Aitedal, killed in a suicide attack in
along with 41 other people when two suicide NWFP's southern district of Dera Ismail Khan onthbombers blew themselves up amidst a crowd of January 4 . They rushed to the spot after an
thdisplaced persons in Kohat on April 17 . initial gas cylinder explosion and died in
Other Killings
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subsequent suicide attack.
11:Wasi Ahmed
April 17, 2009
Wasi Ahmed, a newspaper reporter, was shot and
injured in violence in Balochistan in Khuzdar
district and later died in a Karachi hospital onth 17: Javed KhanApril 17 .
July 3, 2007
12: Siraj Uddin
February 29, 2008
Siraj Uddin, correspondent of an English
newspaper The Nation, was killed in a suicideth
blast in Mingora.on February 29 .
13: Abdul Aziz Shaheen
August 29, 2008
Abdul Aziz Shaheen, a local journalist working
for local dailies "Azadi "and "Khabarkar" in the
June 4, 2007troubled district of Swat in the NWFP, was
killed in an attack by jet fighters on a Talibanthhideout on August 29 , where he was being
held by the Taliban.
14: Muhammad Azam Khan
October 18, 2007December 2, 2008
Muhammad Azam Khan, who worked as a
cameraman for Channel-5 in Lahore and had
not been paid for four months, like all other
staff at the station, committed suicide on
December 2nd.
20:Munir Ahmed Sangi
May 23, 2006
Munir Ahmed Sangi, a cameraman for the
Sindhi-language KTN, was shot while covering
a gunfight between members of the Unar andAbro tribes in the town of Larkana, in Sindh on
thMay 29 .
June 2, 2007
Agency. Political Tehsildar along with tribal
elders and Dr. Noor Ul Hakeem, were returning
to Khar Headquarter of the agency after
attending a traditional tribal jirga when near
Daray Khawar, their vehicle hit an IED, planted
on roadside by terrorists.
Javed Khan, who worked for London-based
Urdu channel DM Digital, was killed in therd
crossfire at Lal Masjid in Islamabad on July 3 .
He was hit in the chest by a stray bullet. One
photojournalist, Javed Khan, who worked for
London-based Urdu channel DM Digital, was
killed in the crossfire at Lal Masjid. He was hit in
the chest by a stray bullet. Another journalist
18: Maulana Masud Mehmood
Maulana Masud Mehmood, a reporter of DailythIslam, was killed on July 4 while covering Lal
Masjid operation in Islamabad.
19: Muhammad Arif
Muhammad Arif, a cameraman of the private
"ARY One World" television channel was killed
in bomb blasts at the arrival of former Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto to Karachi on Octoberth.
18
15: Mehboob Khan
April 27, 2007
A freelance photojournalist, Mehboob Khan, was
killed in a suicide attack in Peshawar on April
th27 .
16: Dr. Noor Ul Hakeem
Dr. Noor Ul Hakeem, vice president of the Tribal
Union of Journalists (TUJ), was killed when an
official vehicle was blown up by an Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) in Salarzai area of Bajaur
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Central Secretariat
Free Media Foundation
Email: [email protected]