Express News anchor Raza Rumi targeted in gun attack

Raza Rumi survives but driver killed; Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif takes notice of attack

LAHORE: Analyst and Express News show "Khabar Se Agay" anchor Raza Rumi, came under a gun attack in Lahore on Friday evening, in which his driver, Mustafa, was killed and his guard injured.

This is the fifth attack on Express Media group.

Rumi, who had just completed his show and had left the studio, said that his car was fired upon near Raja market on Ferozpur road in Lahore.

Was fired at near Raja Market. My driver is wounded. I was dreading this day

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) March 28, 2014

Talking to Express News Rumi said unidentified armed men opened fire on his car near Raja Market. He added that doctors had termed the condition of his driver as critical. The driver later succumbed to his injuries. While his guard was also injured in the incident.

Rumi added that although he had not received any direct threats but he was reportedly on the hit list of some extremist organisations.

Afterwards, an ashen faced and visibly shaken Rumi was escorted by police officials.

Talking to Express News Rumi said, “I never wanted anyone to get hurt because of me.”

Narrating the incident, Rumi said “As soon as firing started I ducked, and hid myself between the car seats,” said Rumi. He added that when the firing stopped he saw that the driver was severely injured and the guard was calling for help.

"One private company guard brought us a rickshaw to rush the injured to the hospital and then police arrived."

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also taken notice of the attack.

Talking to media, CCPO Lahore said 11 bullet shells were recovered from the crime scene.

Case registered

A case has been registered against unidentified persons on the complaint of Raza Rumi at Garden Town Police Station on early Saturday morning.

Charges of murder and terrorism were included in the FIR.

Condemnations

Talking to Express News Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid says the government, including the prime minister condemn this attack.

Chairman Pakistan Tehreel-e-Insaf Imran Khan also condemned the attack and demanded that government must provide security to journalists and bring the culprit to the task.

Shocked & saddened by attack on Raza Rumi & death of his driver. Govt must provide proper security & bring killers 2 justice.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 28, 2014

Leader of the opposition in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rashid condemning the attack said that a resolution would be submitted in Punjab Assembly against the attack.

Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, PPP leaders Faryal Talpur and Qamaruz Zaman Kaira have also condemned cowardly the attack.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has also condemned the attack on Raza Rumi.

"We condemn this senseless violence against brave journalists like Raza Rumi, and mourn the loss of his driver," said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Bob Dietz. "Critical journalists continue to face enormous risks in Pakistan."

CPJ condemns attack on Pakistani journalist Raza Rumi - http://t.co/FpBG9gCz4a

— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) March 28, 2014

Earlier on March 19, 2014 a bomb was found outside Express News Peshawar bureau chief Jamshed Baghwan’s house in Murshadabad area of Peshawar.

Friday's attacks follow the deadly attack in January 2014, when three Express Media Group employees were killed in a gun attack in Karachi.

Last year, two gun and bomb attacks on the Karachi office of Express Media Group had injured at least four people.

https://twitter.com/NadeemfParacha/status/449590427336052737

Condemn in strongest terms attack that resulted in death of @Razarumi's driver. Authorities must investigate urgently

— Mustafa Qadri (he/him) (@Mustafa_Qadri) March 28, 2014

https://twitter.com/anthonypermal/status/449591797086306305