Journalist Khalil Jibran Killed in Pakistan, HRCP Demands Justice

Lahore, Pakistan – The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the recent killing of senior journalist Khalil Jibran in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Jibran, who was the former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club and worked for Khyber News, was shot by unidentified attackers near his home.

HRCP expressed shock and highlighted that Jibran had received death threats due to his work reporting on militancy. They called for a thorough investigation into his murder and for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

HRCP also noted that attacks on journalists in Pakistan have become increasingly common, with little security provided to those reporting from politically sensitive areas. They emphasized the need for the press to operate without fear for their lives.

In a related incident, independent journalist Asad Ali Toor was tortured and kidnapped, leading to protests by journalists in Islamabad. They demanded the withdrawal of the FIR against Toor and criticized the suppression of free speech in Pakistan.

Journalist Munizae Jahangir and Hamid Mir also voiced their concerns on social media, calling for the release of Toor and other journalists, and criticizing the restrictions on internet and social media platforms.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan arrested Toor, who runs a YouTube channel covering political affairs. Reports indicate a rising trend of violence against journalists in Pakistan, with numerous cases of harassment, kidnapping, and physical violence reported.

According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), from August 2022 to August 2023, 37.5% of journalists in Pakistan faced violence. The Pakistan Press Foundation reported that two journalists were killed, 72 were tortured, and three were kidnapped during this period.

Pakistani news outlet ‘Dawn’ highlighted that 2023 has been a particularly tough year for journalists, with several high-profile cases of violence and kidnapping.