KARACHI: The International Press Institute (IPI) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned on Friday the murder of journalist Ajay Laalwani and called upon the government to “bring the killers to justice”.

The IPI is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists working for press freedom.

“The IPI strongly condemns the murder of Ajay Laalwani. The authorities in Pakistan must immediately investigate his killing and find and punish all those who were responsible, including the gunmen as well as whoever ordered the murder,” Scott Griffen, the body’s deputy director, said.

“We fear that Pakistan’s long history of impunity for crimes against journalists continues to provide fertile ground for new acts of violence against the press. “Combating this impunity must be a top priority for local and national law enforcement in the country,” the IPI said.

According to a report compiled by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, 10 reporters were murdered in the country last year. Journalists have frequently faced incidents of assault, harassment and arrest.

Shahzada Zulfiqar, the PFUJ president, and Nasir Zaidi, the secretary general, said in their joint statement it was unfortunate that the Sindh government had done nothing to protect the lives of journalists during its uninterrupted rule since 2008.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2021