The Pakistan Freelance Journalists Association (PFJA) has expressed deep grief and concern over the killing of two journalists by snipers in Wana.
PFJA President Iqbal Yousufi strongly condemned the government for its lopsided and inadequate response to the tragedy.
In a meeting, the association observed that the meagre amount of compensation announced for the families of the slain journalists reflected the low priority the government attaches to the lives of an important section of society.
As many as 27 journalists lost their lives around the world in 2000 while defending press freedom, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan Freelance Journalists Association (PFJA). Although the figure is comparatively lower than the totals recorded over the past decade, the sharp rise in abductions has become a serious cause for concern, the statement added.
The PFJA report noted that 73 journalists were imprisoned across 25 countries during the same year. Encouragingly, no cases of journalists being killed were reported from the United States, Canada, Japan, France, or Western Europe.
However, in Pakistan, the press release expressed deep concern over the reported custodial death of a journalist associated with a Lahore-based English newspaper, allegedly while in the custody of Rawalpindi police.
