Journalist Farhan Hussain seeks security after receiving death threats

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 1 November 2018

Journalist Farhan Hussain has received multiple death threats and has sought protection from authorities without any meaningful response. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists urges swift action to ensure his safety.
Summary

RAWALPINDI – All efforts of journalist Farhan Hussain to seek security following death threats to him and his family appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

Although police have registered an FIR against unknown persons, there has been little or no progress.

Hussain, who lives in the Iqbal Town, received a phone call from an unidentified number recently, the caller threatening him to leave the neighborhood. The caller also threatened to kill him and his family if he did not do so.

Reports say that Hussain subsequently wrote to the chief justice of Lahore High Court, Punjab chief minister, chief secretary, and inspector general of police, Rawalpindi’s regional police officer, commissioner, deputy commissioner, and city police officer, seeking security but no response is forthcoming.

In March 2015, an unknown armed assailant fired several gunshots at Hussain’s home in an early morning attack before fleeing with his waiting accomplice on a motorbike.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists have called on the authorities to provide immediate protection to Hussain who covers crime and courts for Daily Pakistan.

The journalist unions reportedly believe the district government and police are delaying providing security to Hussain, and they would be responsible if anything happens to their colleague.

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