Balochistan: Alarming Increase in the Killing of Journalists

The Baloch Hal

The International Federation of Journalists (I.F.J.) and its affiliate Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (P.F.U.J.) have strongly condemned the murder of television journalist Abdul Haq Baloch on September 29 in Khuzdar District. Journalists had been receiving threats from unknown sources and were being targeted with impunity, according to the P.F.U.J. “We condemn brutal killing of Abdul Haq in what appears to be a targeted attack, and extend our condolences to his family and colleagues. We also join the P.F.U.J. in calling for an immediate investigation into his brutal killing,” I.F.J. Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said. Haq is survived by his wife and two sons. Pakistan is ranked as the world’s most dangerous country to work as a journalist, and at least five journalists have been killed in Khuzdar alone in the last few years. The I.F.J. said there had been an alarming increase in the targeted killing of journalists in Balochistan in particular, in recent years.