Pakistan: Leading writer and journalist murdered

English PEN is shocked and saddened by the death of journalist and author Syed Saleem Shahzad, Bureau Chief of Asia Times Online and author of the newly published Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond Bin Laden and 9/11 (available here). He disappeared on 29 May 2011, two days after writing an article for Asia Times Online suggesting complicity between Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Navy. His body was found on 31 May 2011 bearing signs of torture. PEN strongly urges the Pakistani authorities to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the death of Syed Saleem Shahzad as a matter of urgency, and to do all in their power to bring the culprits to justice.

According to our information, Syed Saleem Shahzad went missing in Pakistan on 29 May 2011, having left his home to participate in a television programme. He never reached the television station. Early reports suggested that Shahzad was being held by Pakistan’s Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and it was widely believed that he was being questioned in relation to the article he had written for Asia Times Online. We were therefore shocked to learn that Syed Saleem Shahzad’s body had been found on 31 May 2011 in Sarai Alamgir, nearly 200 kilometres from Islamabad. Reports suggest that the body, which has now been positively identified by relatives, showed visible signs of torture.

Syed Saleem Shahzad, aged forty, had on several occasions been warned by officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) over articles they deemed to be detrimental to Pakistan’s national interests, most recently on 17 October 2010 when he was summoned for questioning and held for twenty-four hours. Recently he had complained about receiving renewed threats. He leaves behind a widow and three children aged 7, 12 and 14.

For more information:

Syed Saleem Shahzad’s article (Asia Times Online)

Prominent journliast dies in targeted killing (CPJ)

A statement by WiPC Chair, Salil Tripathi (English PEN)

TAKE ACTION

Please send appeals:

- Urging the Pakistani authorities to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the death of Syed Saleem Shahzad as a matter of urgency, and to do all in their power to bring the culprits to justice.

Appeals to:

President Asif Ali Zardari
Office of the President
Constitution Ave.
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax: 92 51 920 3938 / 920 1968 / 811 390

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
Pakistan Secretariat
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad
Pakistan

You may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Pakistan in your country to forward your appeals. It would also be advantageous to ask your country’s diplomatic representatives in Pakistan to intervene in the case:

His Excellency Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan
High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
35-36 Lowndes Square,
London
SW1X 9NJ
Fax: 020 7664 9225
Email: ss2phc@yahoo.co.uk