IFJ condemns firing incident at Express News anchor Imran Khan's house

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 August 2018

The IFJ has condemned the attack on Express News anchor Imran Khan's residence, urging authorities to enhance journalist protection. Additionally, the SAFMA office was sealed by the LDA, raising concerns about press freedom.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the incident of firing at the house of Express News TV anchor Imran Khan in Lahore on August 1 by unidentified gunmen.

The IFJ urged the authorities to expedite investigation to arrest and punish the miscreants.

The gunmen fired five shots at the main gate of the house at Pico Road Factory and fled. No one was injured during the incident, according to the Express News.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said: “The PFUJ condemns the attack on Express News anchorperson Imran Khan and urges the authorities to provide security to the media personnel especially during sensitive times like post-election time.”

Similarly, on August 1, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) sealed the office of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) on the pretext of commercial activity in a residential area on August 1.

SAFMA was established in 2004 and worked for the capacity building of journalists and media freedom. SAFMA is also a subsidiary of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), with offices in all South Asian nations, and is known for its works to regional dialogues especially between journalists of India and Pakistan.

“The activities we have been carrying out here since long don’t fall in the definition of commercialization, as the SAFMA is a non-profit organization under Article 123 of the constitution of Pakistan,” SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam told journalists.

The IFJ said: “The IFJ is concerned about growing threats to media freedom and journalist’s safety in Pakistan. As Pakistan recently held the general election, and a new government is forming, we urge that the government to introduce and implement concrete action on journalist’s safety and ensure that press freedom is respected in all manners. The police should immediately arrest the gunmen who fired at the house of journalist Imran Khan. The authorities also should immediately unlock the SAFMA office and allow its activities.” – IFJ media release

KEY POINTS:

• Gunmen fired five shots at Imran Khan's house in Lahore.
• The IFJ demands immediate investigation and accountability.
• The PFUJ calls for improved security for journalists post-election.
• LDA sealed the SAFMA office, citing commercial activity.
• The IFJ stresses the need for action on journalist safety in Pakistan.