Glowing tributes paid to slain Afghan journalists

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Representatives of three major Pakistani journalist organisations have paid glowing tributes to Afghan media workers killed in the April double suicide bombings in Kabul.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and the National Press Club (NPC) on Tuesday held a ceremony to mourn their slain Afghan colleagues.

Members of the foreign press corps, including AFP, AP and BBC also attended the ceremony in Islamabad. Local union leaders, office-bearers and senior journalists were also in attendance.

Candles and earthen lamps were lit by the participants, who observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the Afghan media workers killed in the Islamic State-claimed suicide attacks.

RIUJ President Mubarak Zeb Khan called journalists in the region a family because they had to report under difficult circumstances from some of the most insecure zones in the world.

Pakistani journalists shared the pain of their Afghan brethren and would continue to stand with all journalists in hour of need, remarked NPC Secretary Shakeel Anjum.

Separately, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) slammed Monday’s suicide bombings as an unprecedented attack on press freedom. RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire urged the UN to take steps to protect the lives of Afghan journalists.

 “We know that the Afghan government is involved in protecting journalists, but it must continue its efforts to provide security and training,” said Deloir. He also called on the UN to appoint a special representative for the protection of journalists.

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists described the attack as one of deadliest for media in Afghanistan. "Today marks one of the deadliest days on record for the media in Afghanistan and indeed around the world."

CPJ’s Asia Programme Coordinator Steven Butler said: "We salute the incredible bravery of these journalists, while noting the cynicism and cruelty of a suicide bomber pretending to be a media worker to target the press."

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