(PPF/IFEX) – On 2 March 2004, the Quetta city offices of the daily “Jang”, which also houses the offices of Geo television station, were the target of an arson attack. The incident occurred during rioting that followed the firing by armed men on a Shiite religious procession. According to staff members, about 20 rioters came […]
(PPF/IFEX) – On 2 March 2004, the Quetta city offices of the daily “Jang”, which also houses the offices of Geo television station, were the target of an arson attack. The incident occurred during rioting that followed the firing by armed men on a Shiite religious procession.
According to staff members, about 20 rioters came to the “Jang” and Geo offices and fired shots in the air to scare away the security guards. The offices were closed because of a holiday, but the rioters managed to break the lock on the main exterior gate. They then tried to break through the internal gate and set fire to cardboard cartons, newspapers, newsprint, printing ink and other supplies. Some administrative records were destroyed and the offices’ telephone lines were damaged in the fire. The rioters then left the premises.
Local residents later helped put out the fire. No one was injured as the offices had been closed.
During the week of 23 February, Geo television aired a talk show that some Shiite religious organisations felt was offensive to the community. On 29 February, protesters demonstrating against the station attacked the Karachi Press Club, injuring one person (see IFEX alert of 1 March 2004).
At least 45 people have been killed and more than 150 have been injured in the day-long violence in Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan. Quetta’s mayor declared a curfew and deployed security forces on the streets. No arrests have been made.
