HARIPUR: Journalist community here on Monday demanded of the government to devise a protection mechanism against the frequent targeting of media persons by the assailants.

This was demanded at a joint meeting of Haripur Press Club (HPC) and Haripur Union of Journalists (HUJ), held here, to condemn the assassination of Nowshera- based journalist Hasan Zeb.

The speakers said that since May to July this year, three journalists were gunned down in the KP province alone, while the life of hundreds of others was at stake but the government failed to devise a mechanism ensuring protection of journalists.

HPC. president Zakir Hussain Tanoli condemned the frequent attacks on the journalists, and said that targeting of journalist had increased mental pressure on the field reporters, causing negative impacts on them.

Speaking on the occasion HUJ president Muhammad Sadaqat said that mere legislation in the name of protection of journalists was not enough to pacify the media fraternity. He demanded of the government to come up with some tangible solution to ensure protection of working journalists.

Referring to the murders of Kamran Dawar, Khalil Jabran and now Hasan Zeb, he said that assassination of these three journalists, during the last three months, was a big question mark on the performance and integrity of the provincial government.

Speakers demanded arrest of the culprits and their facilitators involved in the killing of all three journalists.

They also demanded that culprits to be prosecuted under the anti-terrorism law and compensation be awarded to the families of slain journalists.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024