Balochistan chief minister visits journalists’ hunger strike camp

Baloch says he had met the slain journalists’ brothers and had addressed their concerns.


Shezad Baloch September 11, 2014

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Thursday said his government will look into increasing incidents of targeted killings in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.

While visiting a hunger strike camp of the Balochistan Union of Journalists pitched outside the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday, Baloch said he had convened a high level meeting on Friday to look into the issue.

At least 12 journalists observed a hunger strike from 10am to 6pm to register their protest against what they described the inability of law enforcing agencies to trace the culprits involved in the targeted killings of Irshad Mastoi and other journalists in Balochistan.

Baloch admitted that the law and order situation had deteriorated in recent weeks due to the increasing incidents of targeted killings.

“I am overburdened with responsibilities which is why it has become hard for me to look after each and every issue. I have taken notice of the targeted killings in Quetta, particularly the killings of journalists.”

“I summoned a high level meeting to review the law and order situation in Balochistan,” he told the protesting journalists. “The perpetrators of this crime will soon be booked but the government needs more time for investigation,” he assured the protestors.

He did not mention whether the investigators had made any progress. “The heads of law enforcing agencies and senior officials will discuss the law and order situation and [will] devise a strategy to normalise the situation. Maintaining law and order is the top priority of the government,” he said.

He said that the history of journalism in Balochistan was not too old. “My government will keep the journalists informed of any sort of help that is need in investigation,” he said.

Baloch said he had met the slain journalists’ brothers and had addressed their concerns. “Balochistan is in need of politicians and journalists as we lack competent people in these two professions,” he told reporters.

Political workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, the Balochistan National Party and people from the civil society also visited the camp and expressed solidarity with the journalists who were protesting.

The Balochistan chief minister announced that his government will announce compensation money for the families of slain journalists.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ