Reporter’s killing, demos draw CJ’s attention,protest in Kasur

SIALKOT-Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has taken a suo-moto notice of the brutal murder of Sambrial-based journalist Zeeshan Ashraf Butt.
According to the media reports, the chief justice has sought a report from District Police Officer (DPO) Asad Sarfraz Khan within 24 hours.
On the other hand, a large number of the journalists staged a demonstration and sit-in at Sialkot Kutchery against the brutal killing of Zeeshan and police’s failure in arresting the influential accused. The journalists’ protest entered eighth consecutive day in Sialkot.
The journalists from Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Uggoki, Begowala, Wazirabad, Chawinda, Badiana, Pasrur, Zafarwal and surrounding areas gathered Sialkot, and expressed their unity and complete solidarity with the family of the slain journalist.
The protesting journalists also marched on the main inter-city roads. They were wearing black arm bandages, carrying banners and placards and chanting anti-government and anti-police slogans.
They participated in the sit-in at Kutchery Chowk Sialkot under the auspices of Sialkot Press Club. The protesting journalists unanimously passed several condemnation resolutions, demanding early arrest of the accused.
Senior journalists strongly criticised the Sialkot police for its failure in arresting the influential accused despite the passage of eight consecutive days. They announced daily protest at Sialkot city’s congested Kutchery Chowk till the arrest of the accused.
On March 27,2018, Imran Aslam Cheema, PML-N-backed chairman of Union Council Begowala, had shot dead Zeeshan Ashraf Butt after a minor dispute in Begowala.
Meanwhile, District Council Chairperson Hina Arshad Warraich visited the house of Zeeshan Ashraf and hailed the professional services of the slain journalist and deeply condoled with the grieved family. She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. She expressed complete solidarity with the protesting journalists’ community.
Hunger strike against murder of journalist
KASUR-Local journalists set up a hunger strike camp on Wednesday against the murder of Zeeshan Butt, Nawa-i-Waqt correspondent at Sambrial.
On the occasion, mediamen including Kasur Press Club president Javed Mehr, chairman Ajmal Shad general secretary Saleem Anjum Baloch said that the murder of Zeeshan Butt was an attempt to suppress the voice of truth. They demanded the police high-ups thorough investigation into the murder of the journalist. They also demanded stern action against his murderers. “We will continue the hunger strike until the suspects in the case are arrested,” they maintained.
Source. RMNP