CPJ calls for investigation into journalist’s murder

CPJ calls for investigation into journalist’s murder

WASHINGTON: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged an immediate, high-level investigation into the murder of Muhammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief of Pakistan Press International (PPI).

CPJ, quoting Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, noted that Ismail’s body was found on Wednesday morning near his home in Islamabad with his head smashed. The Associated Press reported a police investigator saying that an iron bar may have been used as the weapon. Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead a few hours before the body was discovered.

CPJ said Ismail’s family told Abbas that they were at a loss to understand as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him that Ismail was carrying little of value on him when he was assaulted. PPI is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ said.

Joel Simon, CPJ executive director, said Ismail’s murder must be fully investigated. An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years, he pointed out, while urging that the government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation.

CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed for their work beginning in 2002, when Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain in Pakistan. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation. staff report

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Source: Daily Times Friday, November 03, 2006

One journalist brutally murdered, a second wounded in shooting

Pakistan 2 November 2006

One journalist brutally murdered, a second wounded in shooting

The body of the Islamabad bureau chief of Pakistan Press International (PPI), Mohammad Ismail Malik, was found near his office in the capital on 1st November while a second journalist was seriously wounded in a shooting in the north-west of the country.

Rehmanullah, correspondent for the daily Urdu-language Subah, published in Peshawar, was shot in Shabqadar as he was returning home.

"Even though there is nothing to immediately show that these two attacks were linked to the journalists’ work, we nevertheless urge the government to ensure that there is a prompt investigation to shed light on both cases,” said Reporters Without Borders.

"The promise made by the federal information minister, Muhammad Ali Durrani, to find those responsible and bring them to justice must be put into practice,” the organisation added.

At least two Pakistani journalists, Munir Sangi, cameraman for the Kawish Television Network, and Hayatullah Khan, of the Urdu-language weekly Ausaf and the European Press Photo Agency, have been killed while doing their job in 2006.

The body of Mohammad Ismail Maliq, 52, was found close to his office in the capital behind a petrol station. His head had been mutilated with a blunt instrument. The post mortem examination showed that he was attacked by two or three assailants and that some blows were struck after his death. His mobile phone was missing but his money and cheque book were recovered.

Some sources suggested that the killing could have been an act of personal vengeance linked to his private life and Mazhar Abbas, secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, said that the murder might not be linked to his job.

Maliq began his career at the PPI, then joined the daily The Frontier Post. He also worked for the news agency Online and the newspaper The Muslim.

Rehmanullah, who was also deputy chairman of the Shabqadar press club, was urgently admitted to hospital in Peshawar after being injured by bullet wounds in the hip. His colleagues said that he had been threatened in the past, particularly by Islamist militants. Journalists held a demonstration in Shabqadar to call on the government to afford greater protection to journalists.

Source: Reporters without Borders

Senior Pakistani journalist murdered

Senior Pakistani journalist murdered

Islamabad, Nov 1, IRNA

Pakistan-Journalist
Senior Pakistani journalist and the bureau chief of news agency Pakistan Press International (PPI) has been killed in mysterious circumstances in Islamabad, police said on Wednesday.

Body of Malik Muhammad Ismail was found early on Wednesday near the jungle of Super Market, a police officer said.

PPI officials said that Ismail had gone for a walk Tuesday night but did not return.

Dr Wasim Khwaja in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences said that he was severely hit on forehead near eye with an instrument.

The postmortem report has described the incident as targeted killing.

President Federal Union of Journalist Pervez Shaukat has strongly condemned the murder and demanded of the government to hold an inquiry.

He said the incident in the capital city shows that the government has failed to protect journalists.

Attack on freedom of press

Attack on freedom of press

M Fazil bukhtiar qureshi

The murder of senior journalist Malik Muhammad Ismail Khan is a brutal act which shows how the journalist community in Pakistan is still in the line of fire. The veteran journalist was known for his courage and commitment to uncovering stories and he was very involved in promoting a positive image of journalism in Pakistan. The manner and cruelty of his death would suggest that there may have been a story against the “powerful”. The government must take immediate and stern action and trace his killers and provide appropriate security to the community so that they can perform their duties without any fear and apprehension.

—Sialkot

Source: Daily Pakistan Observer/ Voice of People

Date: Monday, November 06, 2006, Shawal 12, 1427 AH

IFJ condemns brutal murder of senior journalist Ismail

IFJ condemns brutal murder of senior journalist Ismail

Nasir Mahmood

Karachi—The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed its concern over the brutal murder of Mohammad Ismail, a senior journalist and bureau chief of Pakistan Press International (PPI), who was attacked by unknown assailants in Islamabad on November 1. “The Pakistan government has been far too inactive in these cases and it is time for them to intervene to protect and preserve the Pakistan people’s right to a safe, free and independent media,” the IFJ president said. “The fact authorities have failed to solve a single journalist murder case, combined with the repression of inquiry reports, indicates a deeply concerning development of a culture of impunity in Pakistan,” Warren said. Ismail’s body was found in the early hours of the morning, with his head completely smashed open, having been struck with a hard and blunt object.

“The sickeningly brutal murder of Ismail highlights the worsening safety situation in Pakistan for media workers and the ongoing acts of violence that target journalists,” International Federation of Journalists President Christopher Warren in his letter from its Asia-Pacific Project Office, Australia said.

“The International Federation of Journalists strongly condemns this violent murder and we call upon the government to urgently take action and find Ismail’s killers so that such a horrific crime does not go unpunished,” Warren said.

Ismail’s murder comes after a string of attacks on journalists in Pakistan. In the last six months, four journalists have been killed, the child

Brothers of two journalists were murdered, four journalists were detained and tortured by intelligence agencies, and there have been scores of other violent incidents and threats to journalists.

Furthermore, none of these murders have been solved. “Ismail is the fourth journalist to be killed in the last six months and given Pakistan’s recent history of attacks, journalist abductions and assaults, it appears the safety situation for journalists in Pakistan is rapidly deteriorating,” Warren said.

The International Federation of Journalists, as the organization representing more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries, demands a full investigation into Ismail’s terrible murder and into the recent kidnapping and torture of journalists Saeed Sarbazi and Muniruddin Mari, as well as the release of the inquiry report into the murder of journalist Hayatullah Khan.

Source: Daily Pakistan Observer

Date: Monday, November 06, 2006, Shawal 12, 1427 AH

Senior Journalist Malik Ismail murdered

Senior Journalist Malik Ismail murdered

Thursday November 02, 2006 (0236 PST)

ISLAMABAD: Funeral prayer for senior journalist Malik Ismail is being offered in front of Press Information Department (PID) Office. Malik was found dead in the forest near F-6/1. Email Most Popular Print Add to Favorite ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Press International Bureau Chief and Senior Journalist Malik Ismail was mysteriously murdered in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday by unknown persons. According to details, unknown persons murdered Malik Ismail and later threw his body in a jungle located in F-6, near PSO petrol pump. It has been told that Malik Ismail was working as Bureau Chief in PPI News Agency and on Tuesday night after attending a function at the Turkish Embassy, went for a walk, however did not return. His body was recovered on Wednesday morning at 8:30am from F-6. Dr Waseem Khwaja medical superintendent PIMS told that according to initial post mortem report his death was caused by a serious blow to the head and his skull had been badly crushed and his stomach contained food contents and was full. He told that the rest of his body contained no other physical abuse signs but his wrist did have rope marks which according to the police they had to tie his hands for bringing the body to the hospital. Meanwhile a wave of shock and grief is spread among the journalist community after hearing the dreadful news. Senator Babur Awan and Farhat Ullah Babur has termed his death as target killing underlining that government has once again failed to provide security to the journalists. They were of the view that this is the 12th killing during one month adding that in the last few days three journalists have been killed. Meanwhile, large number of journalists in tears reached PIMS hospital where his body was send for post-mortem. Among the journalists were present President Rawalpindi/Islamabad Press Club President Mushtaq Minhas, Secretary Afzal Butt and other representatives. Later on Funeral prayer of Malik Ismail was offered at 6:00 pm in front of the Dawn office near Zero point Islamabad. Federal Minister for Housing Syed Safwan-ul-Allah, Leader of PPP Malik Hakmain, PIO of Press Information Department Ashfaq Gondal, office bearers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad Union of Journalists and numbers of journalist attended the funeral prayer. After Fateha, his dead body was taken to his native town in Attock district where his funeral prayer will be held at 10:00 am today. Journalists have expressed deep anger over the gruesome murder demanding for immediate investigation into the murder and will not stay calm in this regard. End.