In the line of duty: KP, FATA lead in South Asian journalist fatalities

SAFMA organises seminar on journalist safety and protection in conflict zones.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas had the highest number of journalist fatalities in South Asia in 2011, according to the South Asian Free Media Association.

“Seventeen journalists were killed in different incidents in the Saarc region, of which 10 belonged to this area,” Shamim Shahid, president of Safma’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter, told a seminar at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday.

Shahid, a senior journalist himself, said that due to security concerns, journalists were forced to leave their hometowns and had become internally-displaced persons in their own country. He urged all stakeholders to work towards restoring peace to the troubled region.

Senior Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour, who is also minister for local government, paid homage to journalists who had sacrificed in the line of duty and claimed that the government had been able to overcome 40% of terrorist activities in the province. Calling it a conflict imposed by “others”, Bilour said that journalists had worked closely with the government as it embarked on an anti-terrorism campaign.

Bilour reiterated the government’s stance that it was open to resolving issues through dialogue if militants threw their arms. He said that peace in Afghanistan is crucial to bring peace in the province and tribal areas, as well as the South Asian region.

Idrees Kamal, convener of Amn Tehrik, said that media, civil society and the people should extend their support to the government in fighting terrorism.

Press club president Saiful Islam Saifi and Khyber Union of Journalists president Arshad Aziz Malik also spoke at the occasion, cautioning journalists to remain careful and alert at work. They highlighted that journalists should be provided with social security services such as life and health insurance.