Mohtarma Bhutto condemns murder of Muhammad Ismail
Asks for apprehending culprits, pays tributes to slain journalistIslamabad November 3, 2006: Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has expressed shock over the murder of journalist Muhammad Ismail Khan and demanded arrest of the assailants and punishment in accordance with the law.In a statement today the former Prime Minster said that the gruesome murder appeared to be targeted killing and most condemnable.She said that the journalists in Pakistan had come under increasing threats during the military dictatorship and urged the human rights bodies to raise their voice against it.Paying tributes she said that late Ismail Khan was an upright, fearless and conscientious journalist who was widely admired and respected in the community of journalists for his professionalism and qualities of character.His assailants may have fled but will never escape retribution, she said.Mohtarma Bhutto also prayed for eternal rest to the soul of the deceased and patience to the members of the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.
Thursday, 14 December 2006
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PPI Islamabad bureau chief Mohammad Ismail murdered
Country/Topic: PakistanDate: 02 November 2006Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Person(s): Mohammad IsmailTarget(s): journalist(s) Type(s) of violation(s): killed Urgency: Flash
(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 November 2006 CPJ press release:
Pakistani journalist slain; CPJ urges investigation
New York, November 1, 2006 - The Committee to Protect Journalists urges an immediate, high-level investigation into today's murder of Mohammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief for Pakistan Press International (PPI). Ismail's body was found this morning near his home in Islamabad with "his head completely smashed with some hard blunt object", according to Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The Associated Press reported that a police investigator said an iron bar may have been used as a weapon.
Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead for a few hours before the body was discovered.
Ismail's family told Abbas that they were at a loss as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him Ismail was carrying little of value when he was assaulted. Ismail's news agency is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ research shows.
"Mohammad Ismail's murder must be fully investigated," said Joel Simon, CPJ's executive director. "An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years. The government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation."
CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed in Pakistan for their work beginning in 2002, when U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation, made arrests, and won convictions. During a CPJ mission to Pakistan in July, officials promised to review investigative records and reveal government information on the deaths of Pakistani journalists killed. To read CPJ's July report from Islamabad: http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/asia/pak26july06na.html
To read more on killings in Pakistan, including the recent murder of reporter Hayatullah Khan: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2006/deadly_news/khan.html
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.cpj.org
, visit http://www.cpj.org
PRINT PAGE
PPI Islamabad bureau chief Mohammad Ismail murdered
Country/Topic: PakistanDate: 02 November 2006Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Person(s): Mohammad IsmailTarget(s): journalist(s) Type(s) of violation(s): killed Urgency: Flash
(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 1 November 2006 CPJ press release:
Pakistani journalist slain; CPJ urges investigation
New York, November 1, 2006 - The Committee to Protect Journalists urges an immediate, high-level investigation into today's murder of Mohammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief for Pakistan Press International (PPI). Ismail's body was found this morning near his home in Islamabad with "his head completely smashed with some hard blunt object", according to Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The Associated Press reported that a police investigator said an iron bar may have been used as a weapon.
Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead for a few hours before the body was discovered.
Ismail's family told Abbas that they were at a loss as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him Ismail was carrying little of value when he was assaulted. Ismail's news agency is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ research shows.
"Mohammad Ismail's murder must be fully investigated," said Joel Simon, CPJ's executive director. "An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years. The government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation."
CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed in Pakistan for their work beginning in 2002, when U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation, made arrests, and won convictions. During a CPJ mission to Pakistan in July, officials promised to review investigative records and reveal government information on the deaths of Pakistani journalists killed. To read CPJ's July report from Islamabad: http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/asia/pak26july06na.html
To read more on killings in Pakistan, including the recent murder of reporter Hayatullah Khan: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2006/deadly_news/khan.html
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.cpj.org
, visit http://www.cpj.org
Murder of Malik Ismail
Pakistani journalist slain; CPJ urges investigation
New York, November 1, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges an immediate, high-level investigation into today’s murder of Mohammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief for Pakistan Press International (PPI). Ismail’s body was found this morning near his home in Islamabad with “his head completely smashed with some hard blunt object” according to Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The Associated Press reported that a police investigator said an iron bar may have been used as a weapon.Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead a few hours before the body was discovered. Ismail’s family told Abbas that they were at a loss as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him Ismail was carrying little of value when he was assaulted. Ismail’s news agency is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ research shows “Mohammad Ismail’s murder must be fully investigated,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. “An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years. The government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation.” CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed for their work beginning in 2002, when U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation, made arrests, and won convictions. During a CPJ mission to Pakistan in July, officials promised to review investigative records and reveal government information on the deaths of Pakistani journalists killed.Read CPJ’s July report from Islamabad.
Read more on killings in Pakistan, including the recent murder of reporter Hayatullah Khan
Hayatullah Khan
New York, November 1, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges an immediate, high-level investigation into today’s murder of Mohammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief for Pakistan Press International (PPI). Ismail’s body was found this morning near his home in Islamabad with “his head completely smashed with some hard blunt object” according to Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The Associated Press reported that a police investigator said an iron bar may have been used as a weapon.Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead a few hours before the body was discovered. Ismail’s family told Abbas that they were at a loss as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him Ismail was carrying little of value when he was assaulted. Ismail’s news agency is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ research shows “Mohammad Ismail’s murder must be fully investigated,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. “An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years. The government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation.” CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed for their work beginning in 2002, when U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation, made arrests, and won convictions. During a CPJ mission to Pakistan in July, officials promised to review investigative records and reveal government information on the deaths of Pakistani journalists killed.Read CPJ’s July report from Islamabad.
Read more on killings in Pakistan, including the recent murder of reporter Hayatullah Khan
Hayatullah Khan
CPJ strongly condemned
CPJ seeks probe into journalist’s murder
PAKISTAN » Home page » 03 November 2006
WASHINGTON: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged an immediate, high-level investigation into the murder of Muhammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief of Pakistan Press International (PPI).CPJ, quoting Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, noted that Ismail’s body was found on Wednesday morning near his home in Islamabad with his head smashed. The Associated Press reported a police investigator saying that an iron bar may have been used as the weapon. Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead a few hours before the body was discovered.CPJ said Ismail’s family told Abbas that they were at a loss to understand as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him that Ismail was carrying little of value on him when he was assaulted. PPI is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ said.Joel Simon, CPJ executive director, said Ismail’s murder must be fully investigated. An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years, he pointed out, while urging that the government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation.CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed for their work beginning in 2002, when Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain in Pakistan. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation.
DAILY TIMES DAWN
PAKISTAN » Home page » 03 November 2006
WASHINGTON: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged an immediate, high-level investigation into the murder of Muhammad Ismail, Islamabad bureau chief of Pakistan Press International (PPI).CPJ, quoting Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, noted that Ismail’s body was found on Wednesday morning near his home in Islamabad with his head smashed. The Associated Press reported a police investigator saying that an iron bar may have been used as the weapon. Ismail, nearing retirement, was last seen when he left his house to take a late evening walk. Doctors who received the body when it was taken to hospital told PFUJ that Ismail had been dead a few hours before the body was discovered.CPJ said Ismail’s family told Abbas that they were at a loss to understand as to what could have prompted the attack. They told him that Ismail was carrying little of value on him when he was assaulted. PPI is not known for particularly critical reporting of the government, CPJ said.Joel Simon, CPJ executive director, said Ismail’s murder must be fully investigated. An alarming number of Pakistani journalists have been killed with impunity in the last four years, he pointed out, while urging that the government must show that it is determined to end this very poor record by waging a timely and thorough investigation.CPJ records show that at least nine journalists have been killed for their work beginning in 2002, when Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and brutally slain in Pakistan. Only in the Pearl case has the government carried out an extensive investigation.
DAILY TIMES DAWN
Editorial: Journalist murder remains clueless
Journalist’s murder remains clueless
PRIME Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that he has ordered investigations into the mysterious killing of a prominent journalist – Muhammad Ismail of PPI News agency. Similarly, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao, who is in London, has also issued instructions to the Capital Police to resolve the case at the earliest and punish the culprits. The claims and assurances of the leadership notwithstanding, it is a fact that the police remain clueless about the murder even after two days of the gory incident. Murder of Ismail has terrified people especially the journalistic community because the incident shows the level to which the law and order situation has deteriorated in the twin cities. Leave aside Pindi, which is more populous and where local police is more lethargic, headless bodies and gruesome murders have become order of the day even in Islamabad. This is despite the fact that the Capital Police is considered to be educated, professional and well-equipped. All this is happening because police pickets and mobile vans are more interested in harassing innocent people with a view to minting money than nabbing the law-breakers and criminals. We have been hearing since long about this or that plan to restructure and reform the Police and to make it people-friendly. However, all these have so far proved to be hollow slogans and the police force remains as dreaded for the common man as before while crimes are on the rise. Hardly a day passes when there is no theft or dacoity in one or the other sector of the Capital and the ratio of resolving these cases is very low. There are also reports that spoiled youth belonging to some influential families and people are involved in criminal activities and police is shy of taking any action against them even when they are caught red-handed. If we cannot check crime in a comparatively smaller and calm city like Islamabad then how one can expect safety of life and property in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. Authorities concerned should take steps to make Islamabad a model city vis-à-vis the law and order situation. At the same time, investigations into Ismail murder case should be expedited and culprits brought to book to restore the shaken confidence of the people.
PRIME Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that he has ordered investigations into the mysterious killing of a prominent journalist – Muhammad Ismail of PPI News agency. Similarly, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao, who is in London, has also issued instructions to the Capital Police to resolve the case at the earliest and punish the culprits. The claims and assurances of the leadership notwithstanding, it is a fact that the police remain clueless about the murder even after two days of the gory incident. Murder of Ismail has terrified people especially the journalistic community because the incident shows the level to which the law and order situation has deteriorated in the twin cities. Leave aside Pindi, which is more populous and where local police is more lethargic, headless bodies and gruesome murders have become order of the day even in Islamabad. This is despite the fact that the Capital Police is considered to be educated, professional and well-equipped. All this is happening because police pickets and mobile vans are more interested in harassing innocent people with a view to minting money than nabbing the law-breakers and criminals. We have been hearing since long about this or that plan to restructure and reform the Police and to make it people-friendly. However, all these have so far proved to be hollow slogans and the police force remains as dreaded for the common man as before while crimes are on the rise. Hardly a day passes when there is no theft or dacoity in one or the other sector of the Capital and the ratio of resolving these cases is very low. There are also reports that spoiled youth belonging to some influential families and people are involved in criminal activities and police is shy of taking any action against them even when they are caught red-handed. If we cannot check crime in a comparatively smaller and calm city like Islamabad then how one can expect safety of life and property in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. Authorities concerned should take steps to make Islamabad a model city vis-à-vis the law and order situation. At the same time, investigations into Ismail murder case should be expedited and culprits brought to book to restore the shaken confidence of the people.
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