Press Statement

PFUJ condemns the murder of journalist in Ghotki, Sindh

28 Aug, 2024

Lahore: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President GM Jamali, Secretary General Rana Muhammad Azeem, and Federal Executive Council members have strongly condemned the brutal murder of yet another local journalist, Bachal Ghanew, on the outskirts of Ghotki city, Sindh.

PFUJ demanded that the Sindh government immediately arrest the killers and punish them, and provide protection to journalists in the province. Kacha Area’s dacoits are allegedly involved in the murder of Bachal Ghanew, who was associated with AWAZ News.

According to the details, a piece of Bachal’s agricultural land and ancestral home have been occupied by Kacha’s dacoits. He was attacked in the past by a gang of robbers who tried to burn him alive on the same issue. A jirga (local tribal council) was also held with his family. On this fateful day, reportedly, he was sitting with his daughter on his land when he was attacked and killed.

The PFUJ leadership has said that no culprit has been punished so far in the killings of journalists in the past, but the incidents are increasing due to the negligence of the police. Such incidents can be avoided if the police take steps to redress the complaints in time, but due to the traditional delaying tactics and negligence of the police, many journalists have lost their lives.

The PFUJ has repeatedly asked the Sindh government and police to provide security to journalists, but it is not being implemented. The PFUJ leadership once again strongly demands the Sindh government and the Government of Pakistan to arrest the killers of journalists and punish them and pay compensation to the families of the slain journalists.