LAHORE: On the call of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), journalists and Lahore Press Club leaders staged a demonstration to condemn the brutal murder of Rising Kashmir Editor Shujaat Bukhari in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and demanded the formation of an independent commission of inquiry to bring the real culprits to justice.
Demonstrations were organised in different cities of South Asia on the killing of voices of peace in the troubled region. Addressing the demonstrators, SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam called upon the concerned authorities to stop such acts of terrorism. He paid a rich tribute to Bukhari for his bravery, professionalism and commitment to peace. He said that Bukhari wanted a peaceful solution to the ongoing atrocities and militancy.
Former information minister Pervaiz Rasheed expressed solidarity with the struggle of journalists for press freedom and their security. He lamented the murder of Bukhari and called for an independent inquiry into the killing of a voice of sanity. He emphasised that in the absence of any respect for freedom of expression and civil rights of the people, there cannot be any democracy. He cautioned against the efforts to muzzle media freedom, which would cast doubts about the fairness of elections.
The Lahore Press Club president also called for unity between journalists and journalist bodies for the protection of journalists and press freedom.
