Journos condemn attack on Express team

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 19 January 2014

Three staff members of Express News were killed by the Taliban, sparking widespread protests across Pakistan. Journalists and political leaders demanded justice and enhanced security measures for media professionals.

Summary

KARACHI: Journalists held protests Saturday to condemn the killing of three staff members of Express News Television by the Taliban.

The major protest was in Karachi where the leaders representing Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists called on the government to provide security to journalists and media houses and bring the perpetrators to justice. Some politicians also attended the protest.

The protesters condemned the cowardly act that killed driver Muhammad Khalid, technician Waqas Aziz and security guard Muhammad Ashraf in Karachi on Friday.Their funeral prayers were held separately in Baldia Town, Model Colony and Korangi.

A demonstration also took place in Islamabad outside the National Press Club. Office-bearers of local journalist unions and senior journalists addressed the gathering. Similar protests were also held in some other cities.

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack and warned there would be more if the Pakistani media did not stop spreading "venomous propaganda" against Tehreek-e-Taliban.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has constituted a two-member committee to assess the security threats to media houses.

The committee comprises Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid.

Photo courtesy: tribune.com.pk

KEY POINTS:

• Three Express News staff members were killed in Karachi by the Taliban.
• Major protests were held in Karachi and Islamabad demanding justice.
• The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.
• A two-member committee has been formed to assess security for media houses.
• Funeral prayers for the victims were held in multiple locations.