Senior tribal journalist shot dead in North Waziristan

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a senior journalist in North Waziristan tribal region on Wednesday, his family and journalists in the region said.

Malik Mumtaz was working for Geo television and Jang group of newspapers in North Waziristan tribal region. He was also filing reports for Pashto-langue Khyber television.

Geo TV reported that Mumtaz was returning home when the gunmen fired at his vehicle, killing him at the scene.

TV anchor Hamid Mir said that he had been receiving threats.

No group claimed responsibility and the family said that they do not have personal enmity with anyone.

Pakistan’s tribal regions are the world’s more dangerous place for journalists and dozens have been killed in line with their duties.

Many tribal journalists have shifted to other areas over security concerns.

Tribal Union of Journalists strongly condemned the brutal murder of Mumtaz and demanded of the local authorities to investigate the incident.

He was elected as President of Miranshah press club a few days back.

Malik Mumtaz graduated from Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan and had been associated with the Jang group of newspapers and later with Geo News for nearly two decades.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has condemned killing of a journalist‚ Malik Mumtaz in Miranshah‚ North Waziristan Agency. He expressed sympathy with his family members.

He was talking to a delegation of the Tribal Union of Journalists.

He said that solid steps are being taken for the protection and security of journalists while performing their professional duties in the country.

Former President Tribal Union of Journalists, Safdar Dawar, said Malik Mumtaz was a senior journalist who was famous for his balanced reporting. He said that he was hardworking‚ sincere‚ and enthusiastic journalist.

Safdar Dawar said that tribal union of journalists Miranshah bench held an emergency meeting today and decided to observe 6-day mourning over the martyrdom of Malik Mumtaz. He said journalists’ community has strongly condemned his killing.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Feb 27 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.