Torture-free Pakistan: CPNE launches campaign

Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors initiates campaign against continuing violence against journalists in Pakistan.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has initiated a campaign against continuing violence against journalists in Pakistan.

According to a press release issued by the council after a meeting of its standing committee in Karachi, as a part of the torture-free Pakistan campaign the CPNE has also decided to call an All Pakistan Parties Conference on January 29, to discuss the matter.

The CPNE standing committee session was presided by Khushud Ali Khan, who expressed deep concern over the fact that targeted killings were still happening unabated in Karachi as well as other parts of the country. Khushud Ali Khan added that not only have the killers of journalist Wali Khan Babar, who was gunned down in Karachi, still not been arrested, but the investigation process in this regard was also moving at a slow pace.

The CPNE session also expressed concern over the life threats being received by several journalists, including Daily Express Group Editor Abbas Athar. They demanded that the government take immediate and concrete steps in order to improve the country’s fast deteriorating law and order situation.

The meeting also expressed grief over the death of renowned journalist Minhaj Barna, and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2011.