(PPF/IFEX) – Two journalists, including a photojournalist, received minor injuries on October 20 when a bomb went off outside the offices of local newspapers in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan’s southern province of Balochistan that borders Afghanistan. The bomb, which was planted in a gas geyser, exploded around 4:00 p.m. (local time). It shattered […]
(PPF/IFEX) – Two journalists, including a photojournalist, received minor injuries on October 20 when a bomb went off outside the offices of local newspapers in Quetta, the capital city of Pakistan’s southern province of Balochistan that borders Afghanistan.
The bomb, which was planted in a gas geyser, exploded around 4:00 p.m. (local time). It shattered window panes in nearby buildings and triggered panic in the area.
Sub editor Abdul Qayum and photojournalist Jamal Tarakai of the daily “Awam” sustained minor injuries as a result of the blast. The offices of five daily newspapers – “Awam,” “Atemad,” “Intekhab,” “Public” and “Tijarat” – located in the same building were also damaged in the explosion.
The president and the secretary-general of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) expressed concern over the explosion and demanded protection for the newspapers’ offices and journalists. They criticised the government for not giving due protection to journalists who are being persistently harassed and threatened.
Secretary-General of Council of Newspapers Editors (CPNE) Khushnood Ali Khan condemned the explosion and demanded that the government take practical steps for giving due protection to newspapers offices. He expressed concern about the insecure environment for journalists.
