Yaqoob Shehzad of Express News murdered in Hafizabad

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 October 2014 |  JP Staff Reporter

Yaqoob Shehzad was murdered by unidentified assailants while at a friend's office in Hafizabad. This incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Yaqoob Shehzad, an Express News Television correspondent in Hafizabad was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Sunday.

According to The Express Tribune, Shehzad was in a friend's office on the busy Sagar Road when the attack took place. An office employee named Amjad was injured.

The paper quoting eyewitnesses said that two men on a motorcycle came to the building where the office is located. One of them entered the office and shot Shehzad in the head.  The gunman then shot and injured Amjad.

The paper said the gunmen returned shortly afterward and fired two more gunshots at the injured man.

Shehzad was taken to the Civil Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police have collected forensic evidence and begun investigations.

It was not immediately known if Shehzad was targeted because of his work. He had been with the channel since its launch. He was also the chairman of the Hafizabad Press Club.

Earlier on October 3, Nadeem Hyder, a correspondent for Daily Dunya was shot dead by two unknown gunmen in the Kaliki Mandi area of Hafizabad. The killers fled the scene.

A month ago, Daily Express reporter Rana Arshad was shot and injured.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) now places Pakistan as the most deadly country for journalists – ahead of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Photo credit: The Express Tribune

KEY POINTS:

• Yaqoob Shehzad was shot dead by gunmen in Hafizabad.
• An office employee was also injured during the attack.
• The gunmen fled after the shooting.
• Police are investigating the murder and collecting forensic evidence.
• Pakistan is considered one of the deadliest countries for journalists.