PPF – Newswire Pakistan

November 13, 2022November 14, 2022

Pakistan Press Foundation organizes workshop on Monitoring and Reporting Attacks on Journalists

Islamabad, November 13, 2022 (PPI-OT):PPF organized a workshop on Monitoring and Reporting Attacks on Journalists to reduce the rate of impunity for crimes against journalists in the capital territory, Islamabad. Implementation of the “Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021” and the formation of commission required under the Act was stressed during the two-day workshop organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) on 12 and 13 November 2022.

The role of journalist unions and unity among the unions were also stressed during the workshop. The workshop was organized by Pakistan Press Foundation under the project Civil Society for Independent Media and Expression (CIME) in collaboration with the European Union. The workshop aims to promote the safety of journalists by providing training on reporting and monitoring attacks on journalists in Islamabad, and on using the provisions of the recently enacted journalists safety laws.

The discussion, activities and presentation in the workshop helped the participants understand the mechanism of reporting attacks or any incident that happened with journalists. Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021 and Right of Access to Information Act, 2017 were discussed in detail and stressed the usage and implementation of these acts.

The participants of the workshop, who were the office-bearers of different press clubs, commended the efforts of Pakistan Press Foundation for organizing such training sessions and requested to continue similar training sessions.

For more information, contact:
Secretary General,
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk,
Karachi-74200, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32628729
Fax: +92-21-32217069
Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Email: ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Website: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org

October 3, 2021October 5, 2021

PPF pays tribute to Brohi who lost his life eighteen years ago as a result of his work

Karachi, October 03, 2021 (PPI-OT): On October 3, 2003, a reporter for a Sindhi-language newspaper the daily Kawish and for Kavish Television News, Ameer Bux Brohi, was shot dead in Shikarpur in the Sindh province by two unidentified gunmen in front of the local police station. He was shot five times and was rushed to the Shikarpur Civil Hospital by police, where he succumbed to the injuries.

Despite his case reaching trial in an Anti-Terrorism Court in Jacobabad city, the family pardoned the accused in 2015 in return for monetary compensation. Brohi’s case was settled through the traditional jirga system where tribal elders resolve cases like murder. The situation reflects the financial and political power of suspected killers, who are able to evade accountability. This ultimately leads to a failure to provide justice for the murdered journalists.

Monetary compensation makes it more difficult to convict suspected killers of journalists. PPF has documented at least four cases where media-related murder cases have been settled after families of victims pardoned the killers in exchange for money.

A common feature in the cases settled through money has been the power to pressure the families of victims. Most media personnel in Pakistan do not have the financial or social power to stand up against powerful people who killed or injured their loved ones.

Financial pressure has forced many families to compromise. But in many cases this option only became necessary because of the slow and inefficient justice system, where families struggle in vain for a speedy resolution of cases. Financial compensation may offer a quicker fix, but the price of compromise could be the miscarriage of justice.

PPF believes, that media killings should be treated as a crime against the state, and thus should not be allowed to be settled by families or by local elders. Journalists and other media personnel are attacked and even murdered, not because of personal animosity, but because those in positions of power and influence want to prevent information damaging to their interest from reaching the wider audiences through the media.

Shikarpur Press Club President Sodho Jams told PPF that he believed that the murder was motivated by Brohi’s reporting on sensitive local issues that may have angered feudal strongmen who were from the same cast. He said that the slain journalist wrote about abuses committed by the police and agents of landowners in Shikarpur.

He said that they demonstrated throughout the province and called for a full investigation into the shooting. Jams added that the family had fully supported Brohi’s family but the family had resolved the matter through monetary compensation.

Daily Kawish Editor Muhammad Niaz said that local landlords were “angry and jealous” of Borhi and killed him. The alleged killers — Shahnawaz Brohi, Zulfiqar Waheed and Ghulam Nabi — were influential people in the area and had been involved in different crimes.

According to Niaz, the alleged killers were jealous as local residents of the area started discussing their matters with Brohi after finding out about their criminal activities. He said that Brohi’s family had resolved the matter without consulting them (Daily Kawish).

However, the case remains in the court for 12 years, Niaz said, adding that the administration of the publication fully supports Brohi’s family in all legal and financial matters. Brohi had been the sole breadwinner for his family — his mother and sister.

For more information, contact:

Secretary General,

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk,

Karachi-74200, Pakistan

Tel: +92-21-32628729

Fax: +92-21-32217069

Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org

Email: ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org

Website: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org

September 29, 2021

Pakistan Press Foundation commemorates the ninth death anniversary of slain journalist Abdul Haq Baloch

Karachi, September 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):Nine years ago on September 29, 2012, Abdul Haq Baloch 37, correspondent for ARY News and Secretary General of Khuzdar Press Club, was murdered on his way back to home from Khuzdar Press Club after attending a meeting. Four masked men on motorcycles opened fire on his car, approximately 100 yards away from the press club. Baloch was taken to the hospital where he died of severe injuries during the treatment. He left behind a widow and two sons.

Police registered the case against unidentified gunmen in Khuzdar Police Station on September 29, 2012, with the FIR no. 140/29.9.2010 u/s 302 QD, 34 PPC, 7ATA and the case was presented to District and Sessions Judge Khuzdar.

While talking to PPF, Amanullah, SHO City Police Station, told PPF that no accused was arrested yet and the case is still under investigation and categorized as Class-A. The case has been closed. The former Minister Rehman Malik announced that the judicial commission to investigate the killing of Abdul Haq Baloch, he also established a reward of 2.5 million for someone helping in identifying Baloch’s killers.

In April 2015, Home Department, Quetta Government of Balochistan, under sub-section (1) of Section (3) of Balochistan Tribunal Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, appointed District and Sessions Judge Khuzdar for tribunal inquiry on the murder of slain journalists however, even after the passage of one year since the announcement of formation of tribunal the killers of murdered journalist could not be identified. Abdul Razzaq, brother of Haq, said the family has not been informed about any findings of the inquiry tribunal.

Abdul Razzaq, brother of Abdul Haq Baloch told PPF that “Abdul Haq Baloch received death threats from different militant groups one of them called him and mentioned that his name is at the top of their hit list and the very next day they called to apologize that they mistakenly called him. Number of years have passed and the case still unresolved he is not satisfied with the investigation and police is clueless about the accused. He stated: “My brother’s case is just a file, kept in the cupboard and nothing else” The Interior Minister Rehman compensated the family with 10 lakhs and the organization (ARY) pay the amount of rupees seven thousand every month”.

Essa Tareen, President of Balochistan Union of Journalists, told PPF that he received threatening phone call from BLA, to spread the message among all journalists and news organizations that either provide proper coverage to BLA activities or face dire consequences.

According to press reports then Mir Jang Baloch, the spokesman of BMDA on a phone call to Noushki Press Club said the organization will target those journalists who are working as informers of separatist groups, Baloch Republican Army and Baloch Liberation Army.

Mustafa Tareen Bureau Chief, ARY News Quetta, told PPF that the law and order situation in Khuzdar was dangerous for journalists and politicians. Baloch was threatened by militant groups but it is not necessary that he was killed by them, there are several militant groups functional in the area and anyone can be involved in his murder. As security and investigation departments could not resolve the matter no one can name the culprits however, Baloch has no personal conflict with anyone. The judicial commission made by government also failed.

Discussing about Abdul Haq Baloch Hamid Mir mentioned that Baloch was threatened by Baloch Musallah Defa Army (BMDA), because he was working with missing person. He also stated that security forces were also angry because Baloch was closely working with families of missing person and presenting their cases before Quetta bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Shehzada Zulfiqar, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists told PPF that Abdul Haq Baloch was in the list of 24 Journalists, murdered for their journalistic work but their cases are now closed.

Abdullah Shehwani, President, Khuzdar Press Club, told PPF that Abdul Haq Baloch had been receiving threats from Baloch Musallah Defa Army since November 2011, and had subsequently been named on a hit list issued by a BMDA spokesman.

On August 26, 2020, Allah Bukhsh Nadeem, who was President of Khuzdar Press Club in 2012, told PPF that “In 2012 eight journalists were killed and authorities filed an FIR against unknown people. No accused has been arrested and no proper investigation has been done. It was difficult to perform journalistic duties in Balochistan as there are a lot of elements and groups who force, harass and threaten journalist to publish their narrative which is not in our capacity, we are not the authority to decide what will be published or on-aired.

According to committee to protect journalists tensions with the press had escalated after the Baluchistan High Court barred news coverage of banned groups in October 2011. Several of the banned groups began threatening local journalists for not reporting their militant operations.

Efforts were made by PFUJ and government gave rights to district and session judges for the ease of murdered/killed journalist families. The families refused to peruse the cases and cooperate due to life threat by murderers.

September 21, 2021

Pakistan Press Foundation remembers “Muhammad Aamir Liaqat” who died nine years ago while covering protests in Peshawar

Karachi, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):On September 21, 2012, a driver for ARY News, Muhammad Aamir Liaquat, was killed in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when police opened fire on demonstrators staging a violence protest outside a cinema against the ‘Innocence of Muslims’ video. Pakistan Press Foundation pays tribute to the work of Liaquat as a frontline media worker.

Liaquat received a bullet in his chest when he was trying to reach the place where police were targeting protesters with live rounds to protect a cinema. Three rounds hit the vehicle and one of them struck Liaquat. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died. A first information report (FIR) of the incident was registered at the Faqeerabad Police Station in the city but no one was arrested and the case was closed.

Recalling the incident, ARY News Peshawar Bureau Chief Zia ul Haq told PPF that the ARY DSNG van along with reporters and crew went to cover the protest outside the cinema, about a kilometre away from the network’s office. Haq said that Liaquat, who was associated with ARY News since 2007, had sustained serious injuries in the crossfire between the police and protestors.

Liaquat’s cousin Zubair said that the slain journalist had been the sole breadwinner of his family leaving behind a widow and three sons, one of whom was only a week old at the time of his father’s death. Zubair said that the network had provided them with compensation at the time of the incident and still pay his monthly salary to his wife.

September 14, 2021September 15, 2021

Pakistan Press Foundation commemorates the life of Misri Khan Orakzai, a journalist who sacrificed his life in the line of duty

Karachi, September 14, 2021 (PPI-OT): Eleven years ago on September 14, 2010, senior journalist, President of the Hangu Union of Journalist (HUJ) and correspondent for number of newspapers including Daily Ausaf and Daily Mashriq, Misri Khan Orakzai 48, was shot dead by three unidentified men in front of Hangu Press Club, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Early morning when Orakzai was entering the press club three unknown men opened fire on him. The assailants escaped from the scene leaving Orakzai severely injured.

Orakzai received multiple bullets and one of the bullet entered his heart, he was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, Hingu where he died. A criminal complaint was registered against the unidentified armed men. No one claimed the responsibility when the initial reports was registered, later Tehreek-e-Taliban claimed the responsibility of the incident.

In July 2021, Shafiullah, Head Moharrar of City Police Station told PPF that FIR 590/2010 was registered in City Police Station against the murder of Misri Khan Orakzai by his son Umer Farooq, he provided the details of the incident and police started the investigation from the same day and arrested four accused, two brothers Fida Muhammad and Hussain Muhammad son of Ali and Faiq and Gul Jan son of Sikandar Rashid. All the accused were presented in Additional Session Court, the court released the accused and ordered to close the case.

Zahid, son of Orakzai and currently President of Hangu Press Club told PPF that Tahreek-e-Taliban claimed the responsibility of Orakzai’s murder. Ehsanullah Ehsan, spoke person for the Taliban contacted journalist in Peshawar and said, “We killed him because he twisted the facts”. Zahid added that Orakzai’s office was also set on fire because of his stories. In 2009, Taliban kidnaped him and also fixed bomb to their house. Police arrested a drug addict and pressurized us to accept him as an accused”.

Orakzai reported number of threats to police also provided phone numbers he received calls from to police to trace them but no measures were taken, Zahid added. Orakzai’s son, Umer Farooq, said his father had been receiving threats for quite some time through phone calls and his office had been attacked thrice.

Orakzai was running a news agency named as Misri Khan Agency that was providing news from his province specially conflicted areas to nine major news outlets including Express News, Daily Ausaf, Daily Mashriq, and few others in 2010. Most of the news stories were related to the militant activities in Hangu and KPK province. Three of his sons are now running this news agency.

Zahid, son of Orakzai mentioned that it was unfortunate that none of the media outlets stood beside the slain journalist’s family and become their voice in demand for justice. The Interior Minister then Rehman Malik announced government jobs for two sons of Orakzai, and free education for all his children as well as compensation of ten lacs but none of the promises were fulfilled. Orakzai had been working as a journalist for about three decades. He was also a social worker in the area and played an active role in highlighting local problems.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari called Orakzai’s murder a “heinous and despicable act of terrorism.” At the time of incident the Hangu Union of Journalists, Khyber Union of Journalists, Tribal Union of Journalists all condemned the murder on Orakzai, demanded arrest of the perpetrators from authorities, they set a mourning period of three days and threatened protests if the government didn’t take action.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) strongly condemned the murder of Orakzai, in a statement PFUJ demanded that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government compensate deceased’s family which includes his widow, six sons and five daughters. It is government’s apathy in protecting the lives and property of journalists, adding that this incident once again makes it clear that the lives of media workers in conflict areas are not safe, and killing media workers has become the order of the day.

For more information, contact:

Secretary General,

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk,

Karachi-74200, Pakistan

Tel: +92-21-32628729

Fax: +92-21-32217069

Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org

Email: ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org

Website: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org

September 3, 2021

PPF remembers media workers Ejaz Raisani and Muhammad Sarwar lost on the frontlines

Karachi, September 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):On September 3, 2010, two media staffers – Samaa TV camera operator Ejaz Raisani and Aaj News driver Muhammad Sarwar – were killed in a suicide attack on a procession in Quetta, the capital city of the Balochistan province that claimed the lives of at least 64 people and over 160 injured in the blast. The procession was organised by the Shiite Imamia Students’ Organisation to mark Al Quds Day to express solidarity with the Palestinians.

On the fateful day, the journalists were covering a protest march when the suicide bomb went off, which was then followed by shooting. The people participating in the procession then started firing, triggering chaos and panic. People fled or lay on the ground to avoid the gunfire. Several people, including journalists, were injured as a result of the shots.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) commemorates the lives of the two media staffers who lost their lives in the incident and recognizes their role on the frontlines. The incident also left several media workers injured thus highlighting the need for media on the frontline to be provided with the necessary safety equipment.

Of the two media workers who lost their lives, Sarwar died on the spot after being struck by bullets while Raisani was injured in the blast receiving two bullet wounds. Three days later, on September 6, he died. Speaking to PPF, Sarwar’s brother Anwar said Sarwar was the only breadwinner of their family as Anwar was studying at the time. Anwar said that Aaj News had provided them with a lot of help at the time. However, he was unhappy with the investigation process and the government’s support.

Aaj News Quetta Bureau Chief Mujeeb Ahmed said that Sarwar was passionate about his work and drove safely. He said Sarwar was away from the zone but due to the firing, died on the spot. Samaa TV Quetta Bureau Chief Jalal Noorzai said that Raisani was died and a reporter Noor Elahi Bugti were injured in the incident. He recalled that Raisani was “very passionate and hardworking.

According to Noorzai, Raisani was the only breadwinner of his family and the network has helped his family by bearing his children’s expenditures. Initially they were given Rs1 million and they continued to pay Raisani’s salary to his wife. Quetta Press Club President Khaliq Rind said that he had good working relations with Raisani who he described as “very enthusiastic and dedicated to his work [at a] young age”. “His death was a major loss [to the] media community,” he said.

Media workers injured

Several other journalists were injured including a reporter for Samaa TV Noor Elahi Bugti, the bureau chief for ARY News Mustafa Tareen, a camera operator Aminullah Mengal, a camera operator for Express News Shahid Mukhtar, a reporter for Express News Irshad Mastoi, camera operator for Geo News Imran Mukhtar, and camera operator for Dawn News Fateh Shakir. Angry protestors had also fired gunshots at the Direct Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) vans of the TV channels Aaj News, Dunya TV, Express News and Dawn News.

Bugti told PPF that he was injured on his head and arm. He was initially treated at CMH after which he was treated at Civil Hospital for 12 days According to Bugti, there were no safety precautions or life jackets available at the news organisation at the time which he believed was the reason cameraman Raisani had died and that he was injured. He said that it was the practice at the time and many journalists died while reporting in Quetta.

Now Bugti is the AbbTakk News Bureau Chief and he makes sure that all precautionary equipment is available for every cameraman, reporter and other crew members. Another of the injured media workers, Mengal said that he received minor injuries in the incident and his left arm was still not fully functional. Mengal was treated at the CMH for a day but his employers ARY News supported his treatment at Aga Khan University Hospital. Two months after the incident, Mengal re-joined work. He continues to work as ARY News Quetta as a senior cameraman and now with complete safety precautions.

Injured in the incident, Shakir who is now Balochistan Union of Journalists General Secretary and 24 News senior cameraman said that no safety measures were taken at the time. After the incident, Dawn had provided them with life jackets. However, at his current employers, 24 News, no one is following such measures for safety.

Shakir said that after the incident the fear of [losing] his life has become permanent. He advised young journalists that they are going to report and cover the news and shouldn’t become the news story themselves. “First think of your families and follow all basic security measures,” he said, adding that he was disheartened when his employer organisation had not supported him. He said that they had not covered either medical or other expenses.

Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) suicide wing Qari Hussain had said the attacks had been carried out by Taliban suicide bombers. However, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi also claimed responsibility for the attack and had said a 22-year-old suicide bomber Rashid Moaawia carried out the attack.

Then Balochistan home secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said that the organisers of the procession had been alerted to the threat. Bomb disposal squad officials said the device packed 15 kilograms of explosives. The impact of the blast smashed windows of a number of shops and buildings. All shopping centres and business establishments shuttered down after an angry mob set several vehicles on fire and ransacked some shops.

According to The Express Tribune, police had taken 20 suspects into custody and then Balochistan chief minister had formed a judicial tribunal to investigate the attack. City Police Station Head Moharar Shabbir told PPF that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi was responsible for the attack but no one was arrested from the militant group. He said that police had arrested the organisers of the protest rally. Later, however, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta had closed the case and granted them all bail.