IFJ says journalist Sohail Khan's murder a blatant attack on press freedom

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 7 years ago

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Sohail Khan in Haripur on Tuesday.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger said: “We deplore the murder of Sohail Khan, a blatant attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence critical voices in Pakistan.

“Journalists must report without fear but are operating in one of the most brutal environments for media freedom. We call again on the Pakistan government and authorities to increase efforts to create a safe and secure environment for the media. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Pakistan and demand action to improve the safety for the media.”

Sohail was shot and killed just days after filing a story about drug mafia. He had just left the District Police Office (DPO) in Haripur when he was shot at several times. He died at the scene. He was at the DPO filing an application for protection after receiving multiple death threats following his report on drug mafia.

According to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and local news, members of the drug mafia killed Sohail in retaliation for his reporting.

 He is the fourth journalist killed in Pakistan this year.