RMNP Confers 2015 Sadiq Press Freedom Award on Zafar Aaheer
To mark the World Press Freedom Day, Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP) today conferred the 2015 Sadiq Press Freedom Award on Zafar Aaheer Resident Editor Daily Jang Multan, which carries a cash award of PKR 100,000, (US$1000).This year RMNP Sadiq Press Freedom Award was instituted with the support of veteran journalists, media consultant and Former Director International Press Institute (IPI) Alison Bethel McKenzie.
Zafar Aaheer , resident editor of the top- selling Urdu language newspaper ” Jang” was attacked and badly beaten by a gang of armed eight car and two motor bike riders when he left his office in Multan city early morning of Sunday ( First June 2014). His car was badly damaged in this incident, attackers snatched his mobile and tried to kidnap him. They shouted at him and threatened to kill, termed ” Jang Group” as Indian agent. Zafar Aaheer was removed to Nishter hospital Multan for medical aid. Earlier on 19th May, Zafa Aaheer’s car was intercepted by six armed motorbike riders but their kidnapping bid failed as he rushed to nearby military check post .
Despite the registration of two case of kidnapping, mobile snatching, beating and damaging the car of Zafar Aaheer against 14 unknown armed persons, Multan police have not arrested a single culprit in any of case but also withdrew those two gunmen who wer edeployed for Zafar Aaheer;s security. said President Rural Media Network Pakistan Ehsan Ahmed Khan Sehar in his statement issued here
today.
The recognition of Mr Zafar Aaheer is a symbol of the struggle for the right to information and reminder to the international community about the tragic conditions journalists in Pakistan faced last year when sixteen media personnel lost their lives and at least 35 media persons were injured. Resultantly International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) declared Pakistan as most dangerous country for
working journalists and media workers, RMNP statement said.
President RMNP Ehsan Ahmed Khan Sehar suggested that there is dire need for steps to be taken to improve the safety of journalists in Pakistan, and to address the issue of impunity, which continues to
threaten media freedom. Journalists working in Pakistan are still hopeful that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ‘s last year public commitment to improving the situation comes to fruition, and that they
can play their role in informing their nations; people and contributing towards building a peaceful democratic future.
RMNP statement demanded the arrest of all unknown culprits wanted in two cases registered with Multan police on the report of Zafar Aaheer and the finalization of police investigation without further
delay.
Click the following links to read more news about RMNP Sadiq Press
Freedom Award 2015.
http://www.thedemocrate.com/?p=785
http://nation.com.pk/national/05-May-2015/rmnp-holds-sadiq-press-freedom-award
http://www.press.com.pk/rmnp-confers-2015-sadiq-press-freedom-award-on-zafar-aaheer/
http://pk.shafaqna.com/EN/PK/150044
