PESHAWAR
The Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) marked the “International Day to end impunity for crimes against Journalists” here on Wednesday.
The journalist community under the banner of KhUJ dedicated the day to renowned Pakistani journalist and anchor person Arshad Sharif who was killed in Kenya.
The members of KhUJ organized a rally outside the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) demanding justice for slain Arshad Sharif and demanded of the government to take concrete steps for journalist’s protection.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists was declared to be marked on November 2 in the ‘General Assembly Resolution by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The Resolution calls on all member states to take concrete steps to combat the current culture of impunity in their countries.
Every year on November 2 —a date that corresponds with the assassination of two French journalists in Mali — this day is honored to mark the anniversary of their deaths.
Violence and threats against journalists have been a long-standing concern in Pakistan.
The members of the PPC also held a program and prayers were offered for martyr Arshad Sharif and martyred female journalist Sadaf Naeem, who was crushed by a vehicle while covering the PTI long march in Punjab.
Addressing the rally, the vice-president of KhUJ Abdul Basir Qalandir said elements involved in the murder of veteran journalist Arshad Sharif should be exposed before the public as soon as possible.
He said that journalist’s community has decided to dedicate the day to Shaheed Arshad Sharif.
He shared that more than 53 journalists were killed in the country from 2012 till now but no action was taken against the killers.
Saif Islam Safi and senior journalist Ziaul Haque also addressed the rally and criticized the government inaction against those involved in attacking the journalists.
The speakers said that different tactics are being used to prevent journalists from their professional duties day by day, but the government has observed pin drop silence.
In the reports of the international organizations that monitor the measures taken for the protection of journalists, Pakistan has been declared as the most dangerous country for journalists in the world.
The federal and provincial governments should ensure the immediate implementation of laws to protect journalists, they added.
Earlier, prayers were offered for martyr Arshad Sharif and martyred female journalist Sadaf Naeem, in which members of the union participated in large numbers.
