Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) calls for an investigation into the murder of journalist Latif Baloch in order to ascertain the reasons for and the circumstances of the murder. Baloch, associated with Urdu newspaper Daily Intikhab in Mashkay in Awaran district of Balochistan, was reportedly shot dead on May 24.
According to Dawn, the gunmen had entered his home and attempted to “take him away.” When Baloch resisted, the assailants opened fire and Baloch was killed. As per the report, police had launched an investigation. The report noted that Baloch was also working with the Levies force department.
Speaking to PPF, Daily Intikhab’s Chief Editor Anwar Sajidi said that Baloch had previously worked with the organization before being appointed to a government position in the Levies Force. Although he wasn’t actively working with the organization or in journalism at the time, he would occasionally share news, Sajidi stated. He said that the motive for Baloch’s murder remained unknown.
Awaran City Police Station Station House Officer Waheed told PPF that Baloch’s murder was not related to journalism.
In a statement, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) said that Baloch had commenced his career from Daily Intikhab and had been appointed bureau chief, however, after taking on a government position, he had appeared less active in journalism. As per family sources, Baloch had no personal enmities. CPNE strongly condemned Baloch’s murder and called for the arrest of those responsible.
The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) strongly condemned the murder of Baloch. According to the BUJ, the perpetrators had subjected Baloch to firing when he was asleep, adding that as a consequence of the “cowardly attack” Baloch was killed. In a statement, BUJ President Khalil Ahmed and Secretary General Abdul Ghani Kakar called on the Balochistan government to immediately arrest those involved in Baloch’s murder.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in a statement called for the authorities to take “immediate and concrete actions” to investigate the murder, identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. PFUJ acting President Khalid Khokar and Secretary General Arshad Ansari also condemned the threats Baloch was receiving prior to his murder.
The Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) strongly condemned the murder of Baloch and called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
