Tributes paid to fallen journalist on fifth death anniversary

MIRANSHAH: People on Monday paid glowing tributes to slain journalist Malik Mumtaz, who was correspondent for The News and Geo, on his fifth death anniversary in North Waziristan.

Journalists at Miranshah, Mir Ali and Bannu press clubs organised condolence references and offered fateha for the departed soul. They said Malik Mumtaz always highlighted the issues of public interest and performed his professional duty with devotion.

They said Malik Mumtaz would always be remembered for his services to the people of his native North Waziristan. Muhammad Irfan, son of the slain journalist, said his father highlighted the plight of the people of his native tribal region.

He lamented that five years had passed since his father was shot dead in Miranshah but the culprits were yet to be brought to justice. He said President Asif Ali Zardari had announced Rs1 million as compensation for his family but the pledge couldn't be honoured.

"We were not given the Shaheed package extended to the heirs of tribespeople killed in acts of terrorism and related incidents," he said. Unidentified gunmen had killed Malik Mumtaz in Miranshah in February 2013.