Gunmen attack Express News anchor Raza Rumi killing driver

LAHORE: Analyst and Express News show “Khabar Se Agay” anchor Raza Rumi, came under a gun attack in Lahore on Friday evening, in which his driver, Mustafa, was killed and his guard injured. This is the fifth attack on Express Media group. Talking to Express News Rumi said unidentified armed men opened fire on his car near Raja Market. He added that doctors had termed the condition of his driver as critical. The driver later succumbed to his injuries. While his guard was also injured in the incident.
Rumi added that although he had not received any direct threats but he was reportedly on the hit list of some extremist organisations.
Afterwards, an ashen faced and visibly shaken Rumi was escorted by police officials.Talking to Express News Rumi said, “I never wanted anyone to get hurt because of me.”
narrating the incident, Rumi said “As soon as firing started I ducked, and hid myself between the car seats,” said Rumi. He added that when the firing stopped he saw that the driver was severely injured and the guard was calling for help.
“One private company guard brought us a rickshaw to rush the injured to the hospital and then police arrived.”
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also taken notice of the attack.
Talking to media, CCPO Lahore said 11 bullet shells were recovered from the crime scene.
Case registered
A case has been registered against unidentified persons on the complaint of Raza Rumi at Garden Town Police Station on early Saturday morning.
Charges of murder and terrorism were included in the FIR.

The journalists’ fraternity staged countrywide rallies today (Saturday) to protest against the continuing attacks on Express Media Group.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) President Rana Azeem and General Secretary Amin Yousuf have strongly condemned the attack Express News host Raza Rumi and said Express Media Group is being penalised for speaking the truth.
“We stand by Express and announce to stage a one-hour sit-in every day,” Azeem said. He also criticised political parties for not supporting the journalists’ community and said the government had failed to provide foolproof security to media persons.
Karachi Union of Journalist (KUJ) President GM Jamali also condemned the attack and termed it an attack on freedom of expression.

Jamali said the journalists’ morale was unshaken despite repeated attacks on the Express Media Group. “In spite of all these attacks and threats, we will continue to speak the truth,” he said adding that KUJ would stage a protest today at 4 pm outside Karachi Press Club.
Lahore Press Club’s President Arshad Ansari expressed concerns over repeated attacks on the media group and said terrorists had focused on the media outlet. He said during the last 10 years, 92 journalists had been killed while none of the culprits was arrested.