Freedom Network urges court to reconsider decision over Nazim Jokhio's murder

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 May 2022

Freedom Network expressed disappointment over a court ruling on Nazim Jokhio's murder case. The organization is advocating for the court to reconsider its decision regarding the classification of the murder.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Freedom Network has shown disappointment over the anti-terrorism court declaring that the murder of social media activist Nazim Jokhio was not an act of 'terrorism.'

In a tweet, Freedom Network stated that "[It] is disappointed at court's order declaring #NizamJokhiyo murder "not terrorism." In addition, it urged the court to reconsider its order and make this an example for citizen journalism predators in Pakistan.

According to Dawn, the ATC-XV judge, who conducted the trial in the judicial complex inside the central prison, pronounced his order on the charge sheet after hearing arguments from state prosecutor, counsel for complainant Afzal Jokhio, interned PPP lawmaker Jam Awais and his brother Jam Abul Karim and victim's widow Shireen.

Jokhio, a citizen journalist, was found dead last November at a farmhouse belonging to PPP MPA Jam Awais. Afzal Jokhio, the victim's brother, had named Awais and his brother MNA Jam Abdul Karim and their guards in the FIR for allegedly torturing the journalist to death. Jokhio was murdered for stopping the lawmakers' foreign guests from hunting the endangered houbara bustard.

KEY POINTS:

• Freedom Network criticized the court's ruling on Nazim Jokhio's murder.
• The court declared the murder was not an act of terrorism.
• Jokhio was killed after opposing hunting of endangered species.
• His death highlights the dangers faced by citizen journalists in Pakistan.
• Freedom Network calls for justice and accountability for the perpetrators.