While condemning the murder of a journalist in Panjgur, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday called for serious and concerted efforts, not only to punish the culprits but also to ensure that working journalists can fulfill their duties in an environment of peace and security.
In a statement, HRCP said that it was shocked at the gruesome killing of journalist Rehmat Ullah Abid in Panjgur. “This is the sixth journalist casualty in Balochistan this year and it underlines the increased vulnerability of journalists in Pakistan and the utter collapse of the law and order machinery in Balochistan,” the statement said.
The HRCP said that Balochistan chief minister and federal interior minister should take prompt and strict action to the culprits responsible for the attack. The HRCP further said the journalists are obviously being targeted by gangs because they do not want their crimes to be reported. In the face of that, HRCP said, journalists should be provided with a safe and secure environment to be able to do their duties.
The HRCP said it is necessary that organisations of media owners, editors and working journalists should launch a properly coordinated campaign in partnership with the state authorities to create a reasonable cover for all working journalists, especially for those working in conflict zones. The task of catching the killers of the journalist should be approached with a greater sense of responsibility, the statement said.
