IFJ concerned over safety of journalists after six injured in Karachi

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 February 2016

Six journalists were injured during a protest at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport on February 2. The IFJ and PFUJ are demanding immediate government action to ensure the safety of the media community.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has joined the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in raising concern for the treatment of journalists by law enforcement agencies in Karachi on February 2. The IFJ and PFUJ called on the government to investigate the incident and take immediate steps to guarantee the safety of the media community.

On February 2, at least 6 journalists and media workers were attacked as they covered a protest at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The media were covering a protest by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees. Police attempted to break up the protest with batons and water cannons. There were also reports that bullets were fired into the crowd.

A number of protesters were also injured in the incident. The journalists and media workers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment.

According to reports, DawnNews’ cameraman Shafi Dilshad was left with a fractured hand while cameramen of Express News Rafiq Hassan, and Amjad Iqbal of Waqt News were hit with sticks; ARY News cameraman Hanif, AFP’s photographer Rizwan Tabassum, Dunya News’ reporter Naveed Kamal and Channel 92’s reporter Samar Abbas were also injured.

The PFUJ, and affiliated unions, held protests across Pakistan in Karachi, Lahore, Sukkur, Peshawar, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Nawabshah, Larkana, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas to condemn the torture on journalists and to demand arrest of culprits. The PFUJ said: “Journalists have been facing tough situation while performing their duties in Pakistan.

We warn concerned quarters to take measures to stop such incidents in future; demand arrest of the culprits; and financial support to injured journalists for treatment.” The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the latest attack on journalists in Pakistan. This incident highlights the deteriorating safety situation for the country’s media.

The government has made promises to address and change the safety situation, but it must join media owners and journalist organizations to change the culture of violence against the media in Pakistan.” - IFJ media release

KEY POINTS:

• Journalists were injured while covering a protest by PIA employees.
• Police used batons and water cannons to disperse the protestors.
• The IFJ and PFUJ have called for a government investigation into the incident.
• Protests have occurred across multiple cities in Pakistan condemning journalist attacks.
• The IFJ highlights the worsening safety situation for journalists in Pakistan.