UNESCO director general calls for probe into journalist Haroon Khan's murder

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 October 2017

UNESCO's Director-General, Irina Bokova, demands a thorough investigation into the murder of Haroon Khan, a broadcast journalist in Swabi. This incident highlights the ongoing threats faced by media professionals in Pakistan.

Summary

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has called for an investigation into the killing of broadcast journalist Haroon Khan in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunwa on October 12.

“I condemn the killing of Haroon Khan,” said the Director-General in a statement. “I call on the authorities to investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice. It is essential that acts of violence against the media be punished as such crimes limit journalists’ ability to carry out their work and the public’s right to be kept informed.”

Haroon Khan, a journalist for several local television broadcasters including Waqt News TV and Mashriq TV, was shot by unidentified gunmen outside his home.

The Director-General of UNESCO issues statements on the killing of media workers in line with Resolution 29 adopted by UNESCO Member States at the Organization’s General Conference of 1997, entitled “Condemnation of Violence against Journalists.”

KEY POINTS:

• Haroon Khan was shot by unidentified gunmen outside his home.
• UNESCO calls for justice for journalists facing violence.
• The killing occurred on October 12 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• The Director-General condemned the attack and emphasized its implications.
• UNESCO stresses the importance of protecting media workers.