Death anniversary of journalist Khalil Jibran marked

LANDIKOTAL: Speakers at an event to mark the first death anniversary of tribal journalist Khalil Jibran Afridi, on Tuesday asked the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A number of journalists, political figures and social activists, including Tehsil Chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari, PTI leader Abdul Raziq Shinwari, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir Murad Hussain Afridi, Malik Mazi Khan Shinwari, social activist Shakir Afridi, ANP leader Fazal Rahman Afridi and others attended the event.

Khalil Jibran, a tribal journalist and social activist from Landikotal was shot dead by unidentified assailants on June 19, 2024.Known for his bold reporting, pro-peace stance, and commitment to education and development, Jibran had no personal enmity, making his killing an attack on press freedom. His murder remains unsolved, with no concrete progress in investigation, drawing widespread criticism from the journalist community and human rights defenders.

Speakers at the event expressed deep disappointment over the failure to arrest the killers of Khalil Jibran. They emphasized that while Khalil may have been martyred, society still remembered him with respect which was a clear defeat for his murderers.

Khalil Jibran was hailed as a brave journalist who raised his voice for peace, education and development.The speakers said Jibran’s voice may have been muted, but his ideas and legacy would continue to guide the new generation. They stressed that his killing was an injustice to the entire journalist community in Landikotal.