LAHORE, Feb 8: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply angered by the consistent failure of the authorities to provide due security to journalists or to act against those endangering their safety.

In a press statement, the HRCP said on Tuesday the death of two reporters and injuries to a third in Wana was only the latest in a series of incidents in which journalists have been threatened, intimidated or subjected to violence.

"The attack again highlights the state of anarchy the authorities have allowed the area to descend into. The threat that many newsmen and women have faced over the last some years have come from both official and unofficial quarters.

In at least three cases reported since the start of 2005, newspapermen have faced beating and torture at the hands of police and other state agencies. In other cases, it is feared that secret agencies themselves have played a part in goonish attack on media organizations, apparently aimed at sending out warning signals, with at the very least tacit support from top echelon of power.

"The prevailing environment means that the right to free expression has, in fact, been severely repressed in the country for many months. It would also appear the situation is worsening by the day.

The state must accept its responsibility to protect all citizens from a threat to their welfare and particularly in the case of newspersons working in sensitive areas. A failure to do so will mean a further breakdown of trust between government agencies and journalists and still greater restrictions on information reaching people in the country."