ISLAMABAD: Human rights activists have expressed concern over attacks on journalists in Pakistan.
On Friday, six assailants riding motorcycles attacked and seriously injured investigative journalist Ahmed Noorani in broad daylight on a main road in Islamabad. They pulled him and his driver out of a car, badly beat them then fled the scene.
Noorani was hospitalized and is now in a stable condition. The attack was widely condemned by journalists, politicians and other segments of society.
Dr. Medhi Hassan, chairman of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), said rights activists are extremely concerned and feel that journalists are at risk in the country.
“Threats against investigative journalists are always high,” he told Arab News. “They need protection, and media houses should provide them with sufficient security.”
The attack on Noorani came two weeks after local journalist Haroon Khan was killed in the northwestern town of Swabi.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant outfit, claimed responsibility for the killing.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) urged Pakistani authorities to swiftly investigate and bring to justice perpetrators of attacks against journalists and news organizations.
The CPJ said three attacks were reported in Balochistan amid threats to news organizations and distributors by armed groups in the southwestern province.
“These repeated brutal attacks show once again that nowhere is safe for journalists or news workers in Pakistan,” said the CPJ’s Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler.
“Pakistani authorities must assure that these attacks on press freedom come to a halt by swiftly finding and punishing those responsible.”
Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), told Arab News that since the year 2000, about 120 journalists have been killed in the country.
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Rights activists express concern over attacks on journalists in Pakistan
Rights activists express concern over attacks on journalists in Pakistan
Iranian women’s football team member changes mind on asylum in Australia
Sydney: An Iranian women’s football team member who sought sanctuary in Australia has changed her mind after speaking with teammates, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Wednesday.
Seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team had claimed asylum in Australia after they were branded “traitors” at home over a pre-match protest.
One player and one support member sought sanctuary before the side flew out of Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening in emotional scenes, joining five other athletes who had already claimed asylum.
Burke said in parliament on Wednesday that he had since been advised one of the group “had spoken to some of the team mates that left and changed their mind.”
“She had been advised by her team mates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.
“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was.”
The remaining players have been moved from a safe house to another location, he said.
The traveling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning after flying out from Sydney, AFP photos at Kuala Lumpur International Airport showed.
There were fears male minders traveling with the team might try to prevent other women seeking asylum.
Burke said each player was separated from the squad at Sydney Airport and given time to mull the offer in private.
Australian officials had “made sure this was her decision” he said, referring to the Iran team member who had changed her mind.
Seven members of Iran’s visiting women’s football team had claimed asylum in Australia after they were branded “traitors” at home over a pre-match protest.
One player and one support member sought sanctuary before the side flew out of Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening in emotional scenes, joining five other athletes who had already claimed asylum.
Burke said in parliament on Wednesday that he had since been advised one of the group “had spoken to some of the team mates that left and changed their mind.”
“She had been advised by her team mates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.
“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was.”
The remaining players have been moved from a safe house to another location, he said.
The traveling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday morning after flying out from Sydney, AFP photos at Kuala Lumpur International Airport showed.
There were fears male minders traveling with the team might try to prevent other women seeking asylum.
Burke said each player was separated from the squad at Sydney Airport and given time to mull the offer in private.
Australian officials had “made sure this was her decision” he said, referring to the Iran team member who had changed her mind.
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