SAMC/SAFMA condemn target killing of journalist

(September 17, Lahore, Sri Lnaka Guardian) The South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) and South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) are shocked to learn of the murder of Haji Misri Khan Orakzai, a Hangu-based journalist in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province who was also the president of the Hangu Union of Journalists. Khan was shot several times as he was entering his office. He was a journalist of over 20 years standing, and was currently working with Urdu-language dailies Ausaf and Mashriq, as a reporter. He had received threats in the past from the Taliban but his son Osman Ghani said the family had no personal dispute or enmity with anyone in the area. "As far as we know, the incident is the result of his reporting," Ghani said.

“We support Ghani’s suspicion that the killing has a direct link to Misri’s journalistic work especially in the Taliban-ridden region, and threats against him strengthen the suspicion further, said both the organizations. Najam Sethi, Secretary General of SAMC, said this was a clear cut case of target killing. "The list of journalists murdered in Pakistan is long and there is no end in sight", he added. "We call upon the government and the Chief Minister of the province, Ammer Haider Khan Hoti, to investigative the killing and make the finding public, said Mr. Imtiaz Alam, Sec-Gen of SAFMA.