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Second journalist gunned down in Hafizabad within a week
HAFIZABAD: In the second incident of its kind within a week, unknown gunmen killed a journalist, who was also an office bearer of the district press club, in Punjab’s Hafizbabad area on Sunday.
Yaqoob Shehzad, a father of four, was sitting in the office of a local journalist on Gujranwala road in Hafizabad district of Punjab when motorcycle-riding gunmen arrived at the spot and opened indiscriminate fire.
The spray of bullets killed Shehzad, who was associated with the Express Media Group, on the spot while the assailants managed to flee from the scene.
The residence of the senior journalist had also come under attack a few months ago but he had remained unhurt in the incident.
Trade, journalist, social and religious unions condemned the murder of the journalist and demanded the immediate arrest of the killers.
District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Zubair Dareshak reached the site after the incident and said that the culprits would be brought to justice. He added that Shehzad's friend, who was injured and shifted to a hospital for treatment, would also be questioned after his condition improved.
A police probe into the attack is underway and a First Information report (FIR) of the incident was lodged against four unknown persons at the City police station in Hafizabad on the complaint of the deceased’s brother.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier on October 3, unidentified gunmen had killed another journalist Nadeem Haider, who was working for the Daily Dunya newspaper in Kaleki Mandi area a similar fashion.
Taking notice of the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif sought a report from DPO Dareshak within 24 hours and directed for the immediate arrest of those behind the attack.
The funeral prayers of the deceased will be held in the Railway Lines area at 10pm today.
Comments (12) Closed
Islam is a religion of peace. RIP Yaqoob Shehzad.
The most ineffective, spineless police and government of Pakistan who don't have any shame when their own brothers and sisters are being killed and no one is able to control this menace for the last so many years. How come these criminals can get away from the society so easily and not caught and punished. Let people catch them and put an end to this menace right there on the spot.
It is the job of some infidel even if he claims to be a Muslim because as per Quraan there is no forgiveness from Allah to those who have the blood of innocent Muslims on their hands. Surely such perpetrators will stand in the line of infidels on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah grant him Janat ul Firdous. Ameen
Another one down. RIP
Very sad news. My deepest sympathies with his family and friends. May God bless his soul. The government should arrest the killers and punish them according the law and ensure no repetition of such incidents. What they are paid for?
R.I.P.
Journalists are non partisan people who are in the noble business of bringing news to the public and raising consciousness of the masses for the cause of human dignity.
Just like Red Cross they should never be the targets of the conflicts.
I condemn the killing of Yaqoob Shehzad and I feel deeply sorry for the children who have lost a loving father.
Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif should do something to provide support to the children.
@Vikram Indeed True Vikram.We have peace killing others.
What is giving birth to such beliefs that people justify killing in this way?
This is the main question the Pakistanis should be asking themselves.
What has changed in the last 50years in the Pakistani society?
Trace back the steps and identify the causes of this illness.
''motorcycle-riding gunmen''
Dear Govt.
Since you are asleep, how many murders it will take for you to wake up and ban double riding on bike for a period of time?
@Krishna Prasad Toronto, Why are you worried about us. You are killing muslims everyday in Kashmir and Gujrat. What about your corrupt police and politicians?