(PPF/IFEX) – The following is a PPF press release: ISLAMABAD: Five unidentified people abducted Shakil Shaikh, chief reporter for the English-language daily “The News”, at gunpoint in broad daylight on 28 March 2001, in Pakistan’s capital city. His kidnappers beat him severely for three and a half hours before abandoning him in a deserted village […]
(PPF/IFEX) – The following is a PPF press release:
ISLAMABAD: Five unidentified people abducted Shakil Shaikh, chief reporter for the English-language daily “The News”, at gunpoint in broad daylight on 28 March 2001, in Pakistan’s capital city. His kidnappers beat him severely for three and a half hours before abandoning him in a deserted village some miles away.
According to news reports published in “The News”, Shakil sustained multiple injuries, including a head injury when he was hit with the butt of an AK-47. Several parts of his body turned black and blue due to the severe beating with gun butts and boots. His shoulders had full imprints of boot heels on them.
The five armed men followed Shakil’s car in a jeep without a registration number. They forcibly stopped him, put a cloth over his face and tied his hands with a thick rope. They threw him in their jeep and started beating him severely, while they drove to a deserted area.
He later told newsmen in the hospital that his attackers repeatedly said: “You write too much. Now you will not write anymore.” They also threatened him by saying that his wife, children and parents would be kidnapped if he did not change his attitude.
After his attackers left, Shakil managed to untie his hands and remove the mask. His clothes were torn and stained with blood. He found his car nearby. When he spotted some villagers, Shakil called out to them for help. He remained there for another half an hour, recovering a bit and then drove his car home. He was later admitted to hospital.
The attackers took two cellular phone sets, a purse containing cash and different cards, a tape-recorder and other gadgets that belonged to Shakil.
The editor and staff of “The News” have strongly condemned the attack on their senior colleague, and have demanded an immediate investigation and the culprits’ arrest. They called the incident a blatant attack on the freedom of the press, and lodged a report with the police.
Secretary of the Interior Tasneem Noorani condemned the incident and said that he would immediately look into the matter, and take all possible measures to trace those who are responsible for the attack.
Lieutenant General Ghulam Ahmed Khan, the chief of staff for Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, talked to Shakil on the telephone, and inquired about his health. Information Secretary Syed Anwar Mahmood and Principal Information Officer Ashfaq Gondal also visited Shakil in the hospital.
An official spokesman strongly condemned the incident, and said that the law will take its course. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to thoroughly investigate the incident and arrest the perpetrators. Expressing sympathy with the journalist, the spokesman said that the government believes in freedom of the press, and has always taken steps to protect journalists and facilitate their work by providing an atmosphere devoid of fear.
