Journalists in Sindh facing threats over speaking truth

Killers of Aziz Memon at large 19 months after the murder

ISLAMABAD:

Life seems to be getting tough for journalists in Sindh where speaking and writing the truth means they could lose their job or even life.

One of such fearless journalists was Aziz Memon (Shaheed) who belonged to Mehrabpur Tehsil of Naushahro Feroze district of Sindh. It has been19 months since the brutal murder of Aziz Memon Shaheed and his family is still waiting for justice and passing a miserable life.

Aziz Memon, a correspondent of Sindhi News Channel and Sindhi Daily Kawish earned a reputation in the field of journalism in the Nowshera Feroz district after his 30 years of journalistic life.

According to media reports, the slain journalist started interviewing men and women of Jogi community at Mehrabpur station in which its community members, while giving live views to the journalist on KTN News, revealed that they have been brought to Mehrabpur station on the promise of paying Rs2,000.

After this episode, Aziz Memon received life threats from various influential people, resulting in severe mental pressure on him. He also informed the federal and provincial government office bearers about these threats during his life.

On February 16, 2020, Memon was brutally killed and his body was dumped in Guddu mines near Mehrabpur. After 19 months of this tragic incident, the heirs of the deceased including his elder brother Hafeez-ur-Rehman Memon, the widow of the martyr, two daughters and as many sons were still waiting for justice.

The victim family is in miserable condition and the main accused in the incident are still at-large' and could not be arrested even after 19 months.

Hafeez-ur-Rehman, brother of the slain journalist and his widow are also facing financial crisis. The entire family is dependent on elder brother of the deceased while the commitment made by provincial ministers and advisors have not been fulfilled about giving a job to his son - a graduate engineer. The family has appealed the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Army Chief, Chief Minister Sindh and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to save the children from poverty.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2021.