Pakistan: journalist killed in Khaipur by unknown assailants
NUJ condemns targeted killing of journalist Ghulam Asghar Khand and urges authorities in Pakistan to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The National Union of Journalists has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in condemning the murder of Ghulam Asghar Khand on 7 August.
Khand, associated with the Sindhi Daily Sobh newspaper was shot by unknown assailants on motorbikes at his guest house in Ahmadpur. The journalist received at least nine gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital but died before receiving medical care. The NUJ’s sister union, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has joined the IFJ in calling for an immediate and through investigation into the killing.
Reports indicate that Khand had reported on illicit activities in the area before his death, on 8 August Press Club Khaipur members held a demonstration demanding justice for their colleague. Although the police are investigating his death, no First Information Report has been filed.
PFUJ have called on the “Provincial Government of Sindh and IG Police Sindh to immediately arrest killers and give compensation to the family of the killed journalist, Ghulam Asghar.”
The IFJ said:
“Journalists and media workers in Pakistan face undue killings each year, with investigations often marred with delays and impunity. The IFJ calls for a swift and thorough investigation into the death of Ghulam Asghar Khand.”