Journalist’s death: CPNE expresses shock, grief

KARACHI: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) expressed on Saturday shock and grief over the death of Shafiullah, a journalist who was injured in the Khyber Super Market bomb blast. A handout said that the CPNE president, Khushnud Ali Khan, and secretary-general Amir Mahmud have said that the government has not provided adequate security to journalists. Because of this state of affairs, they said, several journalists have fallen victims in incidents of terrorism, resulting in Pakistan being declared one of the most dangerous places for a journalist in the world. According to the CPNE, providing adequate security to journalists during the performance of their professional duties is the responsibility of the government. The council also urged the government to provide financial assistance to the heirs of journalists who fall victim in terrorist attacks.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2011.