Pakistan: Journalist Shot Dead Outside Lahore Press Club. Nationwide Protest Demanding Action

Hasnain Shah was sitting in his car outside the press club when the suspects, riding on a motorcycle, intercepted and shot him, killing him on the spot, said the police officials

New Delhi: Crime reporter with a private television news channel, Hasnain Shah, was shot dead outside the Lahore Press Club by unidentified men. Shah was sitting in his car outside the press club when the suspects, riding on a motorcycle, intercepted and shot him, killing him on the spot, said the police officials, as reported by ANI. 

The incident has incited media attention across the spectrum nationwide. 

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), hundreds of Electricity, Power and Water Development Authority (WAPDA) workers held protests and demanded the authorities to immediately arrest and punish the murderers of Shah. 

They also demanded security for journalists in the country. 

President of Lahore Press CLub, where Shah was also a member, Azam Chaudhary said that a journalist’s murder in front of the press lcub in broad daylight was a moment of reflection for the government. He stressed that incidents like such won’t go unnoticed and the authorities would be held responsible if the culprits were not apprehended soon. 

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the killings and highlighted the failing “law and order” situation in the country. "HRCP condemns the assassination of Capital TV journalist Hasnain Shah, who was killed in broad daylight on Davis Road in Lahore earlier today. This is yet another testament to the failing law-and-order situation and the increased vulnerability of journalists," HRCP said in a statement. 

PFUJ President Shehzada Zulfiqar blamed the provincial government saying that it failed to maintain law and order in the city. The journalists’ association urged the authorities to arrest the suspects at the earliest.