Geo News reporter buried amid countrywide protests
January 15, 2011
QUETTA: Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar, who was gunned down by some unknown armed men in Karachi on Thursday night, was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard of Girde Babar village, Zhob district, on Friday night.
Renowned religious scholar Maulana Jan Muhammad led the funeral prayers.
A large number of people belonging to different spheres of life, besides relatives, attended the funeral of Wali Khan Babar.
The district administration, on behalf of the Balochistan governor and chief minister, laid floral wreaths at the grave of Wali Khan Babar and offered Fateha.
Earlier, Wali Khan Babar’s body was first brought to Quetta and then taken to Zhob by road the same day.
Meanwhile, the tragic killing of Wali Khan Babar drew strong protests, condemnation and resentment of the media community, besides other segments of the society, in Quetta and elsewhere in the country.
Condolence references and demonstrations were held in the memory of Wali Khan Babar in the provincial metropolis.
A similar condolence reference for Wali Khan Babar was held in the Geo Quetta Bureau, in which the Team Geo participated.
Moreover, a protest was held in front of the offices of the Daily Jang, condemning the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
Another demonstration was arranged by the Quetta Union of Journalists in front of the press club.
Media persons strongly condemned the target killing of Wali Khan Babar. They demanded of the government to apprehend the culprits involved in the tragic killing immediately. They also demanded steps for the protection of media persons.
The PkMAP, ANP, JUI-F and other parties also condemned the killing of Babar.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the killing of Wali Khan Babar. They prayed for the departed soul.
Our correspondents add: Journalist organisations across the country held protest rallies against the targeted killing of Wali Khan Babar.
The demonstrations were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranawala, Faisalabad, Pakpatan, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Khanewal, Vehari, Peshawar, Swat, Abbotabad, Chaman, Bahawalpur, Burewala, Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Jaccobabad, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Larkana, Rato Dero and Zhob. In Chiniot, Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza for Wali Khan Babar was offered.
The Council of All Balochistan Press Clubs announced three-day mourning over the demise of Wali Khan Babar.
Condolence references were also held in Lahore, Karachi and Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, human rights and media organisations strongly condemned the assassination of Wali Khan Babar, terming it a cowardly and an atrocious act.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF), Council of Pakistani Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) said that Wali Khan Babar was a dutiful, brave and honest journalist, who preferred death over compromising truthful and righteous reporting.
Journalists boycotted proceedings of the provincial Assembly of Sindh on Friday in protest against the murder of Wali Khan Babar. They also announced they would not cover the government functions for the day.
Chanting slogans and demanding the arrest of culprits as well as protection for reporters, representatives of the media staged a sit-in outside the assembly building where they were joined by leaders of political parties, who expressed their solidarity with them over the gruesome murder of the young reporter.
APP adds: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday strongly condemned the targeted killing of Wali Khan Babar. The PFUJ said the killing of Wali Khan Babar had once again proved that working conditions for media practitioners are not safe.
The PFUJ said in the year 2010 as many as 21 media related employees were killed in various incidents, including target killings, bomb blasts and suicide attacks.
The PFUJ pointed out that despite the killing of media persons, none of the killers had so far been brought to justice, which itself speaks volumes about the violence and lawlessness in which media persons are forced to perform their professional assignments without any security.
It demanded of the Sindh chief minister and other high-ups of the province to take immediate steps for the arrest of the killers and announce compensation in line with the compensation of security personnel.
The US Consul General, William Martin, also condoled the murder of Geo TV journalist Wali Khan Babar with his family and colleagues.
In his condolence message issued on Friday, the US diplomat said he was shocked and saddened by Babar’s killing.
“Freedom of the press is a value that the United States and Pakistan share. During my time in Karachi, I have continually been impressed by the vibrancy of the Pakistani media,” he added.
“The consulate will continue to support freedom of the press and to work closely with Pakistani journalists,” Consul General Martin maintained.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi also strongly condemned the brutal murder of Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar.
In their separate condolence messages to the family of deceased, the NA speaker and deputy speaker said they were shocked to learn about the sad news. Expressing their deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident, they eulogised the services of the deceased.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan also strongly condemned the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
JI Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan, Secretary General Liaqat Baloch and JI Punjab Dr Syed Wasim Akhtar in a statement demanded the government to apprehend the culprits behind this heinous crime.
Sindh Culture Minister Sasui Palijo strongly condemned the murder of Wali Khan Babar and said that the government was with the journalist community at this sad moment.
“The PPP has always respected the freedom of speech and expression, it also respects the truth and freedom of press and believes in healthy trends in journalism,” she said.
The Awami National Party (ANP), Sindh Chapter, announced to observe a three-day mourning to condemn the murder of Wali Khan Babar. The announcement was made by ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed at a press conference on Friday. “Our offices will remain closed for three days to mourn the murder of journalist Wali Khan Babar,” he said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also deplored the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
“Wali Khan Babar’s death is the latest in a string of targeted attacks on journalists in Pakistan. The government has not addressed the problem in any meaningful way,” Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator, claimed in a statement on Friday.
The Centre for Media and Democracy (CMD), Pakistan, urged the government to arrest the killers of Wali Khan Babar. The Centre also called upon the civil society, journalist community, intellectuals and educationists to join hands for prevention of such cold-blooded murders.
Online adds: Vice President of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Haji Ashraf Kakar has said that government and its cronies are involved in the killing of a private TV channel reporter.
In a statement, he said that Wali Khan Babar was a brave reporter and he disclosed the blackmailing of the government. The killing of Wali Khan Babar was a conspiracy.
Meanwhile, the First Information Report (FIR) about the murder of Wali Khan Babar has been registered at the Super Market Police Station. The FIR (2011/08) was registered by the deceased’s brother, Mohabat Khan Babar, against unknown culprits.
The Investigative officer, Inspector Hatim Khan Marwat, said that five cases of bullets were recovered from the scene, whereas fingerprints had also been taken from his car. Further investigations are under way, he added.
Talking to media persons, CCPO Karachi Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari said that a special team had been formed to investigate the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
Renowned religious scholar Maulana Jan Muhammad led the funeral prayers.
A large number of people belonging to different spheres of life, besides relatives, attended the funeral of Wali Khan Babar.
The district administration, on behalf of the Balochistan governor and chief minister, laid floral wreaths at the grave of Wali Khan Babar and offered Fateha.
Earlier, Wali Khan Babar’s body was first brought to Quetta and then taken to Zhob by road the same day.
Meanwhile, the tragic killing of Wali Khan Babar drew strong protests, condemnation and resentment of the media community, besides other segments of the society, in Quetta and elsewhere in the country.
Condolence references and demonstrations were held in the memory of Wali Khan Babar in the provincial metropolis.
A similar condolence reference for Wali Khan Babar was held in the Geo Quetta Bureau, in which the Team Geo participated.
Moreover, a protest was held in front of the offices of the Daily Jang, condemning the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
Another demonstration was arranged by the Quetta Union of Journalists in front of the press club.
Media persons strongly condemned the target killing of Wali Khan Babar. They demanded of the government to apprehend the culprits involved in the tragic killing immediately. They also demanded steps for the protection of media persons.
The PkMAP, ANP, JUI-F and other parties also condemned the killing of Babar.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the killing of Wali Khan Babar. They prayed for the departed soul.
Our correspondents add: Journalist organisations across the country held protest rallies against the targeted killing of Wali Khan Babar.
The demonstrations were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranawala, Faisalabad, Pakpatan, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Khanewal, Vehari, Peshawar, Swat, Abbotabad, Chaman, Bahawalpur, Burewala, Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Jaccobabad, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Larkana, Rato Dero and Zhob. In Chiniot, Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza for Wali Khan Babar was offered.
The Council of All Balochistan Press Clubs announced three-day mourning over the demise of Wali Khan Babar.
Condolence references were also held in Lahore, Karachi and Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, human rights and media organisations strongly condemned the assassination of Wali Khan Babar, terming it a cowardly and an atrocious act.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF), Council of Pakistani Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) said that Wali Khan Babar was a dutiful, brave and honest journalist, who preferred death over compromising truthful and righteous reporting.
Journalists boycotted proceedings of the provincial Assembly of Sindh on Friday in protest against the murder of Wali Khan Babar. They also announced they would not cover the government functions for the day.
Chanting slogans and demanding the arrest of culprits as well as protection for reporters, representatives of the media staged a sit-in outside the assembly building where they were joined by leaders of political parties, who expressed their solidarity with them over the gruesome murder of the young reporter.
APP adds: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday strongly condemned the targeted killing of Wali Khan Babar. The PFUJ said the killing of Wali Khan Babar had once again proved that working conditions for media practitioners are not safe.
The PFUJ said in the year 2010 as many as 21 media related employees were killed in various incidents, including target killings, bomb blasts and suicide attacks.
The PFUJ pointed out that despite the killing of media persons, none of the killers had so far been brought to justice, which itself speaks volumes about the violence and lawlessness in which media persons are forced to perform their professional assignments without any security.
It demanded of the Sindh chief minister and other high-ups of the province to take immediate steps for the arrest of the killers and announce compensation in line with the compensation of security personnel.
The US Consul General, William Martin, also condoled the murder of Geo TV journalist Wali Khan Babar with his family and colleagues.
In his condolence message issued on Friday, the US diplomat said he was shocked and saddened by Babar’s killing.
“Freedom of the press is a value that the United States and Pakistan share. During my time in Karachi, I have continually been impressed by the vibrancy of the Pakistani media,” he added.
“The consulate will continue to support freedom of the press and to work closely with Pakistani journalists,” Consul General Martin maintained.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi also strongly condemned the brutal murder of Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar.
In their separate condolence messages to the family of deceased, the NA speaker and deputy speaker said they were shocked to learn about the sad news. Expressing their deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident, they eulogised the services of the deceased.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan also strongly condemned the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
JI Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan, Secretary General Liaqat Baloch and JI Punjab Dr Syed Wasim Akhtar in a statement demanded the government to apprehend the culprits behind this heinous crime.
Sindh Culture Minister Sasui Palijo strongly condemned the murder of Wali Khan Babar and said that the government was with the journalist community at this sad moment.
“The PPP has always respected the freedom of speech and expression, it also respects the truth and freedom of press and believes in healthy trends in journalism,” she said.
The Awami National Party (ANP), Sindh Chapter, announced to observe a three-day mourning to condemn the murder of Wali Khan Babar. The announcement was made by ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed at a press conference on Friday. “Our offices will remain closed for three days to mourn the murder of journalist Wali Khan Babar,” he said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also deplored the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
“Wali Khan Babar’s death is the latest in a string of targeted attacks on journalists in Pakistan. The government has not addressed the problem in any meaningful way,” Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator, claimed in a statement on Friday.
The Centre for Media and Democracy (CMD), Pakistan, urged the government to arrest the killers of Wali Khan Babar. The Centre also called upon the civil society, journalist community, intellectuals and educationists to join hands for prevention of such cold-blooded murders.
Online adds: Vice President of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Haji Ashraf Kakar has said that government and its cronies are involved in the killing of a private TV channel reporter.
In a statement, he said that Wali Khan Babar was a brave reporter and he disclosed the blackmailing of the government. The killing of Wali Khan Babar was a conspiracy.
Meanwhile, the First Information Report (FIR) about the murder of Wali Khan Babar has been registered at the Super Market Police Station. The FIR (2011/08) was registered by the deceased’s brother, Mohabat Khan Babar, against unknown culprits.
The Investigative officer, Inspector Hatim Khan Marwat, said that five cases of bullets were recovered from the scene, whereas fingerprints had also been taken from his car. Further investigations are under way, he added.
Talking to media persons, CCPO Karachi Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari said that a special team had been formed to investigate the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
