Tragic Killing Of Journalist Hasan Zeb Sparks Outrage And Calls For Justice

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) Journalist Hasan Zeb, working for a newspaper in Peshawar, was tragically killed by unknown assailants in the Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Journalist organizations have demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the crime.

The Akbarpura Police station in Nowshera reported that the murder occurred around 5 PM yesterday. A case has been registered under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons) based on a complaint filed by Anwar Zeb, Hasan's brother. Anwar stated that his brother had no known personal enmities.

The FIR, obtained by TNN, details that the two brothers were heading to the market by car when two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire on Hasan Zeb and then fled the scene. Hasan succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.

Nowshera police have secured CCTV footage showing the assailants dismounting the motorcycle and firing at Hasan.

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Hasan Zeb, 40, was associated with the Urdu-language newspaper Daily Aaj as a general reporter, focusing primarily on health and civic issues. He was related to the Khyber Union of Journalists and also a member of the Peshawar Press Club member.

Journalist organizations and journalists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have condemned Hasan Zeb's murder, attributing it to government negligence that has made the province perilous for journalists. Senior journalist Arshad Momand from Peshawar told TNN that Pakistan is regarded globally as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, making it increasingly difficult to practice journalism freely.

Arshad Momand pointed out, "This is the second murder of a journalist in the past month. Many armed groups target journalists for their unbiased reporting. The murder of journalists deprives the public of impartial news, as fear for their safety forces journalists to self-censor."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's information advisor, Barrister Saif, expressed regret over Hasan Zeb's killing, acknowledging the dire situation for journalists in Pakistan. He stated that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had ordered an immediate investigation and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.

However, journalists argue that such statements from the government after violent incidents highlight its failure and irresponsibility. Haq Nawaz Khan, a senior journalist with the Washington Post, emphasized that the government must maintain law and order, but it often limits itself to issuing statements of regret without taking substantive action.

Nawaz called for the formation of a commission to investigate the murders of three journalists within a short period, to identify and address the root causes: "The government must determine who is targeting journalists and for what purpose."

According to Reporters Without Borders, five journalists have been killed and one arrested in Pakistan this year before Hasan Zeb's murder.

Last month, on June 18, journalist Khalil
Jibran was similarly killed by unknown individuals in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The continuous threats and attacks on journalists underscore the urgent need for effective measures to protect the press in Pakistan.

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