Paksitan: Senior journalist found dead

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Aziz Memon, reporter of leading Sindhi language newspaper and television channel, was found dead in the town of Mehrabpur in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh.  Memon’s body, who worked for daily “Kawish” and KTN News channel for 25 years, was found floating in Guddu Canal.

 

Station House Officer (SHO) Azeem Rajpar, the local police officer said that a cable wire was tied around his neck, but he wasn’t strangulated. The SHO added that cameraman named Awais Qureshi, who was with Memon before his murder, and two other men are being interrogated. “We are waiting for postmortem report for further investigation,” he added.

 

The journalists had released a video message on social media claiming that he was receiving death threats for his story that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had paid crowds who had gathered to greet PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s during his “train march” in March 2019. The deceased had named some officials of the Sindh government who threatened him of dire consequences because of his reporting.

 

KTN Director News Mustafa Jarwar said that Memon worked with KTN had published several investigative reports and last year he received threats for his reporting. He demanded immediate registration of criminal complaint or First Information Report (FIR) so that proper investigations are started to arrest the culprits. Memon’s brother Hafeez Memon confirmed that his brother had received death threats for his reporting.

 

The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) strongly condemned the murder of Memon. AEMEND President Azhar Abbas and Secretary General Ammad Yousuf said that the media community is shocked at this blatant act of violence and expresses profound concern over the continued attacks and killing of journalists.

 

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the murder and demanded a judicial inquiry by a judge of Sindh High Court and called for immediate arrest of the killers.

 

Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari stated that Memon had informed the authorities about threats to his life, but timely action was not taken to protect him. She added that a committee should be formed to probe the murder so that those involved in the killing could be brought to justice.

 

Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Sindh chief minister has directed police officials concerned to register FIR at the earliest.

PPF