CHARSADDA: Unknown assailants shot dead journalist Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, who was based in Shabqadar town of Charsadda district, on Saturday night.

Khan had been associated with the Express Media Group for the last 17 years and worked for the Express News TV channel and Urdu language newspaper Daily Express.

His brother Hazrat Bilal, who registered a first information report (FIR) with police against unidentified assailants, said Khan had no enmity with anyone.

According to eyewitness accounts, unknown assailants opened fire on Khan when he was leaving the mosque after offering Isha prayers, killing him on the spot. Khan left behind two widows, four sons and four daughters. He was buried in his hometown on Sunday.

Shabqadar-based journalists took out a protest rally against Khan’s murder.

KhUJ demands security for mediapersons

Addressing the participants, his colleagues in media said Khan was a brave and responsible journalist who did his utmost to highlight the local issues. They demanded a compensation package for the slain journalist’s family and called for arrest of his killers within 48 hours.

Police sources said they had arrested several suspects. District police officer Suhail Khalid has formed a special investigation committee to look into the murder incident.

“We assure the family of Iftikhar Khan that the killers would be arrested and brought to justice soon,” said the DPO.

Our Lakki Marwat Correspondent adds: Journalist community held a demonstration outside the press club building in Bannu city to protest the killing of Iftikhar Ahmad in Charsadda. The press club’s president Mohammad Alam Khan asked the government to ensure early arrest of the killers.

According to APP, Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) in a press statement on Sunday expressed condolences over the killing of Iftikhar Ahmad and demanded security for working journalists.

KhUJ general secretary Imran Yousafzai and other members condemned the incident and said that violence against journalists was increasing. They demanded early arrest of the killers.

Also in the day, Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari condemned the murder of Iftikhar Ahmad and directed Charsadda police to arrest the criminals involved as soon as possible. He also ordered the police to ensure safety of journalists in the province.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2022