Pakistani journalist killed in bomb blast on World Press Freedom Day
A journalist in Pakistan, Siddique Mengal, has been killed in a bomb blast that rocked the Khuzdar district of Baluchistan province, in the Southwestern part of the country, on World Press Freedom Day.
The police in the country said the blast on Friday ripped through the car of the journalist, who until his death, was the district press club president and apparently the target, killing him and two passersby, while seven others sustained injuries, VOA reports.
Speaking to VOA, an area police officer, Ghulam Mustafa Rind, said that the slain journalist was driving slowly through a busy crossing when a motorcyclist attached a homemade magnetic bomb to his vehicle.
The office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, “expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom” of the diseased.
As of the time of filing this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the journalist’s murder in the country’s province, where continuous attacks perpetuated mostly by ethnic Baluch insurgents have been recorded.
The province is also said to resident to militants loyal to the Islamic State terrorist group and the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, while security forces in the country are also alleged to have been carrying out attacks and enforced disappearances against critics of their counterinsurgency operations.
According to the RSF’s annual World Press Freedom Index, which assesses the level of freedom available to journalists and media outlets in various countries, released on Friday, Pakistan is ranked 152 in 2024, dropping from 150.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies
She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”
Education
Tinubu upgrades Nasarawa poly to university
Mr Onanuga said the approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Aliyu, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
Lagos
Lagos govt signs agreement to automate vehicle registration
Mr Osiyemi said the initiative would simplify and speed up vehicle registration by eliminating cumbersome processes.
States
Three rescued, one body recovered as building collapses in Kano
The PRO attributed the collapse to the use of poor and substandard building materials.
NationWide
FG calls for stronger African collaboration to combat illicit wealth, transnational corruption
Mr Fagbemi added that the recovery and transparent management of proceeds of crime remained a key pillar of the country’s anti-corruption policy.
Heading 2
FG reiterates commitment to ensuring safe return of Nigerians from South Africa
“The last evacuation flight, which is expected to bring home approximately 300 of our nationals, is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week,” Mr Ebienfa said.
