Hard country: Journalists protest over colleague’s killing

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the killing of a journalist in Sindh and demanded the arrest of the culprits, said a press release.

Journalists from twin cities gathered in front of PFUJ secretariat on Thursday and protested against the government’s failure to provide security to mediapersons demanding it to immediately provide relief to the deceased’s family.

According to reports, some unidentified assailants opened fire at Shan Odhor, a reporter for a private news channel in Badha area of Larkana district on the night of December 31. Odhor, in his 40s, was on his way home.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, PFUJ president Afzal Butt and secretary-general Khurshid Abbasi termed the killing a heinous act. Butt said Odhor’s murder has exposed the government’s failure to safeguard lives of journalists.

Pakistan has been declared third most dangerous country in the world for the mediapersons. Eleven journalists were killed last year while performing their duty.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2014.