Working group finalizes killed Pakistanis journalists list at Swedish Ambassador’s residence

Islamabad: President Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP) Ehsan Ahmed Sehar attended Seven members Working group meeting held at the residence of Swedish ambassador Ms Ingrid Hohanss on in Islamabad on December 7, where it reviewed UNESCO list of killed journalists. Several names were deleted as per RMNP and other press freedom groups reports. RMNP shared the out come of judicial process in five cases along with the details of settled cases among families.

Similarly new names were listed .President RMNP pinpointed one journalist Muhammad Umar killed in Dera Islamel Khan during current year, and CPJ is working with RMNP on this case, more over old cases of South Punjab and central Punjab and Interior Sindh were included on RMNP request. New list comprises round about 80 journalists who were killed since 2006 in the line of duty. RMNP list of 121 journalists included all types of killings, RMNP deleted those killed in domestic disputes and where the motive was not confirmed.

Director UNESCO Ms. Vibke Jensen acted as moderator. Ministry of Information officials attended concluding session in which Director UNESCO Ms Vibke Jensen told them about the outcome of the working group meeting. Working group has marked ten high profile journalists killings so It will be sent to Pakistan government to respond UNESCO about judicial process. The meeting was followed by a lunch which was also attended by Dutch and Swedish diplomats. Another round table of working group is expected in February,2017. It may be recalled that this working meeting on ” Enhancing Information Gathering and Monitoring of Journalists Safety in Pakistan” was jointly organised by UNESCO and Embassy of Sweden.