Attack on Express office: Media, civil society hold countrywide protests

Information minister says government will arrest all those responsible.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE/ KARACHI: Journalist organisations and civil society held on Tuesday protest demonstrations across Pakistan against Monday’s cracker attack on Express News’ Sargodha office.

The attack had left a security guard injured and many vehicles damaged.

Addressing the demonstration in Islamabad, the Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said the ink of the pen had played an equally important role in fight against terrorism.  “Media is the fourth pillar of the state and has strongly supported the Operation Zarb-e-Azb,” he said.

Rashid assured that the government would arrest all the suspects responsible.

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said attacks on the media were condemnable. He demanded that those involved in the attack on Express office be arrested immediately.

In Lahore the journalists protested in front of the Punjab Assembly against the frequent threats received by journalists and media houses.

Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, labour unions and the civil society also participated in the demonstration. They demanded that government ensure the safety and security of media houses and journalists.

Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) organised a protest demonstration in front of Karachi Press Club. The KUJ president said the government had failed to provide security to the journalists and the media houses.

“The KUJ has asked the International Union of Journalists to press upon the Pakistani government to improve the security of the media houses,” he said. Protest demonstrations were also held in other cities.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2015.