Former information minister Sherry Rehman on Friday moved an adjournment motion in parliament against the murder of journalist Slaeem Shahzad.
Following is the text:
To: The Speaker
National Assembly, Islamabad
June 1, 2011
ADJOURNMENT MOTION
We, the undersigned, file the following adjournment motion under Rule 92 of the Rules of Business of the National Assembly of Pakistan:
The recent abduction and shocking murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad is both alarming and condemnable. These acts are a clear attempt to stifle the freedom of the press; as such, they infringed upon a citizen’s basic human rights and were harmful for the democratic dispensation.
The body of Shahzad, who had disappeared soon after his report on the PNS Mehran attack was published, was recovered late Tuesday evening after he had been missing for more than 36 hours.
Pakistan has, over the past few years, become one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists – a fact that will, in the short and long term, be extremely detrimental to the democratic dispensation. Arbitrary disappearances and deaths are unforgivable in a country where several laws exist to not just protect journalists, but also those on whom they report. As such, grievances on both sides can and should be addressed in a court of law.
Shahzad’s disappearance and death, meanwhile, must be investigated, thoroughly and impartially, and his murderers – regardless of who they are – must be brought under the purview of the law. This is a matter of grave concern for the protection of public interest. It is entirely of recent occurrence, and requires immediate discussion on the floor of the House by suspending all other business.
Please find a press clipping from Express Tribune, 1 June 2011, for ready reference.
