Latest murder underlines dangers faced by Pakistani journalists, says UN official
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 17 December 2010 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Latest murder underlines dangers faced by Pakistani journalists, says UN official, 17 December 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4d1047ef1a.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A senior United Nations official has called on Pakistani authorities to probe the murder of a journalist gunned down in the south-western province of Balochistan this week, the fourth media professional to be killed in the country in less than two weeks.
Muhammad Khan Sasoli, 36, worked as a correspondent for Royal TV and the INP news agency in Khuzdhar and was the president of the town's press club. He was shot four times by two men on a motorcycle outside his home and died instantly on 14 December.
Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), condemned the murder, which follows the killing of three Pakistani journalists in two separate incidents on 6 December.
"Acts of violence against journalists represent attacks on freedom of expression. Only by protecting this fundamental right can we have democratic societies," she said in a press release.
"I call upon the authorities to do their utmost to investigate this crime and arrest the perpetrators, in order to put a stop to violence against journalists in Pakistan. Three other journalists died this month in Pakistan besides Mr. Sasoli, a fact that underlines the extreme dangers faced by media professionals in the country."
Altaf Chandio was reportedly shot dead outside his home in Sindh Province on 6 December, while Abdul Wahab and Pervez Khan were killed in a suicide bombing in the north-west tribal area on the same day.
