Third death anniversary of slain tribal journalist being observed today

MIRANSHAH: The third death anniversary of senior tribal journalist Malik Mumtaz Khan Shaheed is being observed today.

He had worked for the Jang Group for 18 years. He was associated with The News International and Geo Television.

Unidentified gunmen killed him in Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, after he left his office for home on February 27, 2013.

Functions and condolence references were organised throughout the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and other parts of the country to pay tributes to him for his services in journalism while being based in one of the most dangerous places in the world.

The former president of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ), Safdar Hayat Dawar, termed Malik Mumtaz as a brave and honest journalist who never compromised on principles and highlighted issues of public interest.

He said Malik Mumtaz was also an influential tribal elder and was known for his love with the people of Waziristan and dedication to social work.

“He used to spend most of his time in resolving disputes of his fellow tribespeople,” he added.

Malik Mumtaz’s son Salman Khan while talking to The News, said that three years had passed since the murder of his father, but none of the accused had been arrested.

He lamented that the Pakistan People’s Party government at the time and several non-governmental organisations had made pledges of financial assistance to their family, but none could be materialised.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari had announced Rs1 million for the family, but not a single penny was paid to it.

Abdul Hakeem, a friend of late Malik Mumtaz, said he was a good human being who used to serve the people irrespective of their social status.

The journalists and tribal elders have urged the government and the non-profit social welfare organisations to honour the pledges they made with the family of the slain journalist.

No one had claimed responsibility for his killing.

The Pakistan Army in a statement had strongly condemned his murder and termed it an act of terrorism.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had also condemned his murder and called him a brave and impartial journalist.

The shura of North Waziristan-based Taliban militants headed by Hafiz Gul Bahadur too condemned his killing and assured his family they would soon expose his killers.