PFUJ Condemns Target Attack on Journalist

No writ of Gov in Karachi: Shaukat

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the target attack on a journalist in Karachi who was covering the on-going violence in the port city of Sindh province.

Zulfiqar Peerzada, a crime reporter with Metro One, was covering the violence at Qasba Colony in Orangi Town from the rooftop of a building, when some unknown persons shot him at 6:25pm on Tuesday evening. He was shifted to Qatar Hospital in Orangi Town but later he was shifted to Liaquat National Hospital where he was operated upon.

PFUJ President Pervaiz Shaukat said there was no writ of the government in Karachi and complete lawlessness was prevailing in the city. He said journalists were being targeted for their work and for presenting the true facts. He called on the government to protect journalists and this continued trend was deplorable.

Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) General Secretary Hassan Abbas said they had met Sindh Information Minister Shirjeel Memon and had demanded of the government to arrest the culprits as soon as possible. He said it was also stressed on the provincial minister that the government should provide security to all the reporters, photographers and cameraman covering the ongoing violence in Karachi, particularly in Orangi Town, which is the hardest hit.

Mr Abbas said the government should also bear the cost of Zulfiqar Peerzada’s treatment. He said if the government failed to do so they would consult the PFUJ leadership and resort to protests.