Balochistan Unrest: SAFMA demands probe into killing of journalists

Journalists share the difficulties they face at the 'Attacks on journalists and media freedom' conference.

QUETTA:

The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) has called on the government of Pakistan to constitute a committee to investigate the killings of journalists in Balochistan.

“Government institutions and armed groups need to realise the role of media and must not pressurise reporters,” Imtiaz Alam, Safma’s general secretary, said on Friday.

Safma had organised a conference, titled “Attacks on journalists and media freedom”, at the Quetta Press Club. The conference adopted resolutions demanding proper training for journalists in Balochistan, a specific fund in Balochistan’s annual budget to enhance the capability of journalists, and establishment of press clubs in each district.

At the conference, journalists shared the difficulties they face in a province where as many as 20 journalists have so far been killed and none of the killings has been properly investigated.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2011.