Islamabad: Pakistan was declared as the world’s most dangerous country for journalists in the year 2012 as many journalists, belonging to private news channels and newspapers fell prey to targeted attacks by miscreants. Since then, Pakistan has been the bloodiest ground for journalists, who have been sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.
Two years from year 2012 into 2014, journalists continue to get targeted and killed. Hamid Mir, a renowned journalist with Pakistan’s Jung group and an anchor person to the leading news channel, Geo News, was targeted in a sophisticated, planned and targeted attack in Pakistan’s port city, Karachi. Hamid Mir flew from the capital Islamabad to Karachi and was on his way from the airport towards his office when unknown gunmen on two motorbikes and a car tracked his vehicle. His vehicle was flooded with gunfire while crossing a flyover on the main Shahrah-e-Faisal around Shah Faisal colony area, about 5 minutes’ drive from the airport.
The attack was planned keeping in view the movement of Hamid Mir from the airport till the point of impact of attack, where one attacker was standing on the pedestrian, while two motorcyclists and a car was following Mir’s car. Mir’s driver rushed the car ahead and was reportedly followed by the gunmen till PNS Karsaz flyover, located about 10 kilometers from the point of attack. The gunmen reportedly continued to fire bullets on Mir’s moving vehicle.
Hamid Mir got critically injured in the attack as he was shot at least 6 times in the deadly attack. He was rushed to Agha Khan International Hospital, Karachi where he has been in the intensive care. Three bullets were removed while doctors are yet to decide on removal of the remaining three bullets.
Amongst the 6 bullets that hit Hamid Mir, one bullet hit in the ribs under the arm, one in the stomach, one grazed his hand while two pierced his thighs on the front and on the back of the thigh.
Hamid Mir’s brother Amir Mir revealed that Hamid Mir had informed his organization, some close friends and family members that if he was attacked, then the responsible entity will be Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligencce Agency (ISI). His brother went ahead to pin point Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam as the responsible person of the attack. “Hamid Mir had informed of a plan by ISI chief Lt. General Zaheerul Islam to assassinate him†said Amir Mir
The revelation by Hamir Mir’s brother came as a shock to the journalist community across Pakistan, who recalled the murder of renowned journalist Late Syed Saleem Shahzad, Bureau Chief of Hong Kong based news agency Asia Times Online, who was picked up from Islamabad in broad day light and murdered. Shahzad also hinted the same threat in an email detailing his meeting in the ISI directorate.
Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) brushed aside all accusations and called for independent inquiry into the incident. “The spokesperson said that an independent inquiry must immediately be carried out to ascertain facts. However, raising allegations against ISI or head of ISI without any basis is highly regrettable and misleading†read ISPR’s press release on the issue.
It is pertinent to mention here that the distance between the point of attack and where the attackers reportedly dispersed is one of the most highly secured areas of the city. It started with Army’s barracks, followed by Pakistan Air force Base Faisal, connected with Pakistan Navy’s Mehran base, the same base which was attacked by Pro-Taliban militants in 2012.
Raza Rumi, a known journalist was also targeted and attacked in Lahore by unknown gunmen, killing his driver on the spot.
In all the above mentioned cases, justice has not been served. Special commission was formed in Shahzad’s case whose report did not point towards the killers but mentioned possible factors behind his killing. Shahzad’s case still lingers with the authorities for over 3 years. Raza Rumi’s commission also did not yield any positive resolve towards ensuring punishment to the killers.
A similar commission has been formed in the latest attack on Hamid Mir, where a 3 member judicial commission will investigate, and record statements of family, eye witnesses etc. and try to find out who the attackers were.
As justice continues to be deprived, Pakistan continues to be a deadly playing field for journalists. The judicial system of the country has failed to ensure safety and security to journalists, which is one of the prime reasons why the killers have been able to target, kill and torture high profile journalists with ease.
Carrying forward the bleak hopes of justice; Journalist community across Pakistan has strongly protested against the cowardly attack and has called on the government to act immediately emphasizing that independent inquiry should not spare any institution as no one should be above the law.