ISLAMABAD, Feb 19 Meetings and rallies were held across the country on Thursday on the call of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against the murder of Musa Khankhel in Swat.

In Mingora, scores of journalists wearing black bands held a demonstration to condemn the killing of the correspondent for The News and Geo Television. They urged the government to arrest the killers.

The protesters, including journalists from Islamabad, Peshawar and Swat, gathered at the Mingora press club and then went to the house of the slain journalist.

Speaking to protesters, journalist Hamid Mir expressed hope the killers would be exposed and journalists would continue the mission of Khankhel. The journalists paid tributes to Khankhel for his courage and devotion to duty.

A press statement issued by the PFUJ called for arrest of Khankhel`s killers and measures for the safety of journalists, particularly those working in conflict zones.

The PFUJ said it would hold its own investigation into the murder after consulting its affiliates. “We are journalists and it`s our responsibility to probe the murder of our colleagues and we will do that,” it said.

“It`s a matter of great concern that the journalists and crew of TV channels who went to cover the post-peace accord in Swat, decided to return due to security concern. The PFUJ shares their concern.”

The statement said a team of journalists would go to Swat as a mark of solidarity with local journalists and the family of Musa Khankhel.

According to the PFUJ, the journalists of Swat have decided to observe a 10-day mourning for Khankhel`s murder and appealed to the PFUJ to conduct an investigation.

The PFUJ recalled that earlier both Musa and his brother Essa, a reporter of a daily, were prevented by the authorities from attending a press conference of provincial minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour.

In Islamabad, the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists held a rally which was attended by hundreds of journalists.

Addressing the protesters, RIUJ president Shahryar Khan said Khankhel`s murder was an attempt to suppress the truth and a conspiracy under which 20 journalists had been killed over the past two years.

PFUJ Secretary General Mazhar Abbas urged the government to take note of increasing violence against journalists.

In Karachi, journalists marched from the press club to the Governor House, handing over a memorandum to the governor. The protest was organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists.

Addressing the protesters, KUJ president Javed Asghar Chaudhry and general secretary Amin Yusuf called for arrest of Khankhel`s killers and safety for journalists.

Sindh Information Minister Shazia Mari, PPP leader Nafis Siddiqui and some other members of political parties attended a meeting at the press club.

Journalists in Lahore marched on The Mall to condemn the murder. Protests by journalists, lawyers, political activists and civil society representatives were also held in Toba Tek Singh, Kasur, Okara, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Multan, Faisalabad and Muzaffargarh.

In Peshawar, a large number of journalists, lawyers and members of civil society organisations attended a demonstration.

Organised by the Khyber Union of Journalists, the demonstration was also attended by lawyers` representatives. Prominent among them were Peshawar High Court Bar Association president Abdul Latif Afridi, JUI-F`s member of the NWFP Assembly Mufti Kifayatullah and ANP`s provincial information secretary Arbab Mohammad Tahir.

Addressing the protesters, KhUJ president Mohammad Riaz and general secretary Yousaf Ali and PPC vice-president Bakht Zada Yousafzai criticised the government for failing to provide security to journalists.

Meetings and demonstrations against the murder of Khankhel were also held in Timergara, Kohat, Swabi, Buner, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Dera Ismail Khan, Batkhela, Lakki Marwat, Ghalani, Parachinar, Mansehra, Muree, Gilgit, Skardu and Chilas. In some cities, protesters blocked roads for sometime.

Journalists in Sindh condemned the murder. They held demonstrations in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Sanghar and other cities and towns.

CPJ CALL The Pakistan government should investigate the murder of Musa Khankhel, The Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday.

“We mourn the tragic death of Musa Khankhel and send our condolences to his family and colleagues,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ Asia program Coordinator. “But grief and condolences are not enough - the government must act swiftly to bring his killers to justice and protect journalists working in this volatile region.”