Attack on Raza Rumi: Journalists’ fraternity to stage protest today

Condemn the attack, express solidarity with Express Media Group.

LAHORE/ KARACHI:

The journalists’ fraternity has announced it will stage countrywide rallies today (Saturday) to protest against the continuing attacks on Express Media Group.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) President Rana Azeem and General Secretary Amin Yousuf have strongly condemned the attack Express News host Raza Rumi and said Express Media Group is being penalised for speaking the truth.

“We stand by Express and announce to stage a one-hour sit-in every day,” Azeem said. He also criticised political parties for not supporting the journalists’ community and said the government had failed to provide foolproof security to media persons.

Karachi Union of Journalist (KUJ) President GM Jamali also condemned the attack and termed it an attack on freedom of expression.

Jamali said the journalists’ morale was unshaken despite repeated attacks on the Express Media Group. “In spite of all these attacks and threats, we will continue to speak the truth,” he said adding that KUJ would stage a protest today at 4 pm outside Karachi Press Club.

Lahore Press Club’s President Arshad Ansari expressed concerns over repeated attacks on the media group and said terrorists had focused on the media outlet. He said during the last 10 years, 92 journalists had been killed while none of the culprits was arrested.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the incident as well.

“We condemn this senseless violence against brave journalists like Raza Rumi, and mourn the loss of his driver,” said the CPJ Asia Programme Coordinator Bob Dietz. “Critical journalists continue to face enormous risks in Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2014.