Two Punjab journalists attacked in separate incidents

Two journalists in Pakistan, Shaikh Rizwan and Bashir Malik, were physically attacked in two separate incidents. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in condemning the assault and calls on authorities to prosecute those responsible for the crimes against journalists.
Shaikh Rizwan is a local journalist working for Sargodha Khabrain in Sargodha city, 185 km from Islamabad, in Punjab province. He was beaten up by the local land grabbing mafia in Sargodha. In a different incident, Bashir Malik, a local journalist with 24 News in Khushab, also in Punjab, 218 km from Islamabad was beaten and received death threats from local miscreants.
PFUJ demanded strict action and the prompt arrest of those involved in incidents it described as “blatant terrorism and brutality”. PFUJ has also requested journalists be given protection in performing their duty.
PFUJ said: “It is the responsibility of the authorities to take strict legal action against the criminals in society. We demand the authorities to give justice to the journalists and if this is not done we will have protests across the country.”
The IFJ said: “Safety in Pakistan remains a serious concern as journalists and media workers continue to face deliberate attacks. We urge Pakistan’s authorities to ensure that all those crimes against journalists do not go unpunished.”
Source: IFJ