Investigate murder of journalist, says IFJ

International Federation of Journalists calls on authorities to hunt down killers of journalist Altaf Chandio.

KARACHI: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the authorities to hunt down the killers of journalist Altaf Chandio, who was shot dead at his house on Sunday.

“This cold-blooded murder must be thoroughly investigated and the killers brought to justice,” said Aidan White, IFJ general secretary.

“The journalist community in Pakistan is shocked by this latest attack and there is a widespread concern that many more reporters and editors are at risk.” Chandio, the president of the Mirpurkhas press club and bureau chief of the private Sindhi language channel, Awaz, was shot and injured and died on the way to the hospital.

The incident led to a furious reaction from journalists in Sindh who went on strike and blocked the roads in protest. The police are investigating the murder but have yet to reveal the motive for the killing.

The IFJ says Pakistan is currently the most dangerous country for journalists, with a total of 11 journalists and media personnel having lost their lives in targeted killings this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2010.