Pakistan: Jang correspondent shot dead
Published: December 6, 2007
English PEN condemns the murder of Zubair Ahmed Mujahid, correspondent for the national daily Jang, who was shot dead in a targeted attack on 23 November 2007. PEN is seriously concerned that Mujahid may have been targeted solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. It therefore urges the Pakistani authorities to conduct a full and impartial investigation into Mujahid's death and to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.
PEN is alarmed that journalists in Pakistan appear to be targeted with apparent impunity, and calls on the Pakistani authorities to take immediate action to ensure that journalists can practice their profession safely.
According to PEN's information, Zubair Ahmed Mujahid was shot in the stomach by a man on a motorcycle as he was returning home by car with a colleague in Mirpur Khas, in the southern province of Sindh. He died instantly. His elder brother believes he was killed because of his articles criticising the situation of the poor in the area. Mujahid is the sixth Pakistani journalist to be killed since the start of 2007.
Mujahid wrote a weekly column for Jang called 'Crime and Punishment' in which he was known for his articles critical of the local police and landowners. Two of his previous articles had led to arrests.
Please send appeals:
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Condemning the murder of journalist Zubair Ahmed Mujahid;
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Urging the Pakistani authorities to ensure that a full and impartial investigation is conducted into the killing, and that Mujahid's killers be brought to justice;
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Expressing serious concern that journalists in Pakistan are targeted with apparent impunity and are unable to practice their profession safely.
Addresses:
President Pervez Musharraf
Office of the President
Constitution Ave.
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax: 92 51 920 3938 / 920 1968 / 811 390
It may be more effective, however, to send your appeal via the Pakistan High Commission in London:
His Excellency Dr Maleeha Lodhi
High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
35-36 Lowndes Square
London SW1X 9JN
Fax: (44) (0)20 7664 9224