December 8, 2020

BUREAU REPORT

PESHAWER

A journalist from the Dera Ismail Khan area has been killed inside his own home, according to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by his cousin. The incident took place near Baloch Chowk, Madina Colony (D.I Khan).

The FIR which was lodged at the Cantt police station on Tuesday, December 8, said that the journalist Qais Javed who was working with a local daily Ahad, and had recently begun his own web channel, was in the front yard of his home, when some unidentified persons on a motorcycle opened fire, and fled after shooting him. Javed had also been associated with Geo News in the past.

A police official told media that Javed was shot multiple times and was rushed to the city’s main hospital but died on the way. Javed, 37 was a Christian but the police has ruled out possible personal enmity, however had added that the assailants may have been following him since some time. It should be noted that militant groups have targeted members of religious minorities in the past and have especially targeted journalists of the region.

While the police is still investigating, it is important to note that no one has claimed responsibility of the murder and motives are still unclear.

Police confirmed that while the FIR had been lodged, no arrests had been made. According to information, more than 100 journalists have been killed in the last 20 years in Pakistan, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

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