Journalists demand protection, security

Irshadullah Khan

PESHAWAR: In a show of solidarity and outrage, journalists from the Peshawar Press Club and Khyber Union of Journalists staged a protest against the murder of TV reporter Khalil Jibran in Khyber district’s Landi Kotal town on Wednesday.
Jibran was associated with a private news channel, Khyber News.

The protest was called by the Peshawar Press Club and Khyber Union of Journalists to condemn the heinous crime and demand justice and protection for journalists.

A large number of journalists, including office-bearers participated in the protest. They held banners and placards bearing slogans such as “Protect Journalists”, “Arrest Killers of Khalil Jibran”, and “Journalism is Not a Crime”.

The protesters chanted slogans and demanded that the government take immediate action to arrest the perpetrators and provide protection to journalists.

Senior journalist Mahmood Jan Babar and Shami Shahid addressed the protest and condemned the murder of Khalil Jibran, They said that journalism is the fourth pillar of the state and it is the state’s responsibility to protect journalists the freedom of press is under threat.

They demanded that the government take concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of journalists, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has become a danger place for journalists.

The protesters also demanded that the government investigate the murder of Khalil Jibran and bring the perpetrators to justice. They said that the government’s failure to protect journalists would only embolden criminals and undermine the freedom of the press.