ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Journalists covering the Senate proceedings on Monday staged a token walkout to register their anguish and resentment against the death of a colleague at the hands security forces in Swat.

The government and opposition lawmakers shared in the mourning for Qari Mohammad Shoaib, 32, who was working for an Urdu-language newspaper, and assured that an inquiry would be held and suitable compensation would be arranged for his heirs.

Reporters from both print and electronic media expressed extreme anger at the action of the security forces.

Earlier, Prof Khurshid Ahmed of the Jamaat-i-Islami raised the issue through a point of order, giving details of what he termed “cold blooded murder of a journalist amidst government’s promise of providing full media freedom”.

Minister of State for Information Sumsam Bukhari came to the press room to listen to the journalists’ point of view, and condemned the killing of the journalist.

Mr Bukhari said the matter would be thoroughly probed and compensation for the heirs of the deceased would be arranged.

Leader of the House and Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Raza Rabbani said: “The government condemns this killing of a working journalist as the PPP has waged the struggle for freedom of expression along with the journalists’ community.”
Source: Dawn
Date:11/11/2008