ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman on Monday said the government was already in touch with the family of the slain journalist, Khadim Hussain Shaikh and would ensure financial assistance for them.

She said an instant inquiry into the murder of television reporter in Hub, Balochistan, has been ordered to ascertain the real motives behind the killing. “The prime minister has directed his Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik to use all resources to nab the killer(s) of the journalist who was murdered on Monday,” she said while informing the National Assembly over the measures being taken to apprehend the murderers.

She said, “We strongly condemn the incident and would take all measures to bring the killers to book. Moreover, the family of the deceased would be compensated as the Ministry of Information has already finalised the terms of reference to establish the fund for those journalists who die or are injured in the line of duty,” she added. The minister regretted that around 40 journalists have been killed during the past five years while their boots on. The government has taken prompt action and the killers would not be spared, she added. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the murder of the journalist.

Khadim on his way to office from his house along with his brother Ishaque on a motorbike when unidentified gunmen intercepted them and shot him from a close range. He died on the spot while his brother received bullet injuries and has been admitted to hospital. The journalists of the area held a protest demonstration against the murder.

Secretary General PFUJ Mazhar Abbas in a statement said, “It appeared to be a target killing. Khadim was the 29th journalist killed in Pakistan in the last eight years, which has made Pakistan one of the most dangerous places for reporting.”He demanded immediate attention of the government.

“The PFUJ demands investigation into the circumstances which led to this heinous crime and culprits must be punished,” he said.“In the past, the investigations of the murder and kidnapping of journalists had been put in cold storage but we expect of the present government to take very serious notice of this murder, first under the new government,” he said. He said the police must find out the motives behind the murder and whoever is responsible must be arrested without delay.
Source: The News
Date:4/15/2008