The curse of 14 in journalist Riaz Mengal's life

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 26 April 2017

Riaz Mengal shares the heartbreaking story of losing multiple loved ones, including his brother, to violence on the 14th of different months. He remains hopeful for justice despite the pain.

Summary

QUETTA – Riaz Mengal’s 25-year journalistic life is a tale of pain and grief during which he lost his brother, also a journalist and several colleagues.

He says the date of 14, four times in as many years, brought great pain.

On 14 April 2008 gunmen killed his friend Khadim Hussain Qureshi, General Secretary of Hub Press Club, in Balochistan.

Again, on 14 December 2010 another of his friend - Mohammad Khan Sasoli - a President of Khuzdar Press Club, was gunned down in Khuzdar.

A year later unidentified men murdered Munir Shakir on 14 August 2011, again in Khuzdar. He was a former treasurer of the press club there.

Then in 2014, Riaz’s younger brother Ijaz Mengal, got killed on 14 February in Khuzdar.

“It is tragic how all were murdered. They are not with me physically but they are with me alive in my heart. I am confident that the killers will be nabbed and justice served,” Riaz said.

Image: Riaz Mengal

KEY POINTS:

• Riaz Mengal has faced significant personal losses as a journalist.
• Four significant deaths occurred on the 14th in different years.
• Victims included his brother and several colleagues in Khuzdar.
• Mengal expresses hope for justice for the fallen.
• The date 14 has become a symbol of tragedy in his life.