Senate asks govt to ensure journalists’ safety

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Mesharano Jirga or Upper House of the Parliament on Sunday asked the government to expose hidden hands behind the targeted killings of journalists and media persons and inform the people.

According to reports, seven journalists have been killed in the past two months in different provinces.

Yama Seyawash, Fardin Amini and Rafi Sediqi were killed in Kabul, ElyasDaee was killed in Helmand, MalalaMaiwand in Nangarhar, RahmatullahNaikzad in Ghazni and lately Bismillah Adel Aimaq was killed in Ghor province, with no group claiming responsibility.

In a statement, the Mesharano Jirga said: “While deeply concerned about the increase in targeted attacks and serious threats against journalists and civil society activists, the house strongly urges the government and media-supporting institutions to take appropriate measures to ensure the security of this segment of society.”

The Mesharano Jirga also called on the government to investigate the hidden sides of the assassination spree, which has raised concerns among media workers, media outlets, and civil society activists, and share the results with the public.

Some lawmakers in today’s session demanded serious investigation into the killings of journalists.

Mohammad HanifHanifi, a lawmaker from Uruzgan province said: “Elements behind the killing of journalists should be exposed to the nation if they are Taliban or any other group. It is government’s duty to unearth the perpetrators.”

Lawmaker RahmatullahAchakzai said the house considered journalists as precious asset of the nation and ask the government to take special steps to ensure safety of media persons and journalists.

Mesharano Jirga Chairman FazalHadiMuslimyar strongly condemned attacks against journalists and asked the government to take steps for their protection and safety.

Nh/ma

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