Journalist Shot by Pakistani Soldiers

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Journalist Qari Muhammad Shoaib was shot by Pakistani soldiers while driving his car in Mingora in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan.  Pakistani soldiers were stationed in the Swat Valley patrolling the area in response to threats of a suicide attack.

Shoaib was accompanied by a family member driving home.  The family member said, “They shot at us as we reached Airport Road.  We received no indication that we should stop.”  On the other hand, the military stated that warning shots were fired, yet the vehicle did not stop and as a result, they opened fire.  Police official Khaista Rehman said that “the security forces personnel gave him several warnings, he was signalled to stop, then they shouted and also fired shots in the air, but he kept moving towards a military convoy and finally one of the bullets hit him.”  He continued by saying that shots were fired because suicide bombers have attacked in the past in a similar manner.

Military officials said that they regretted the incident and promised to compensate his family.  Shoaib was a reporter for the Khabar Kar daily and survived by two wives, three daughters and a son.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, eleven journalists have been killed in Pakistan since 2000.  Several journalists allege that the soldiers fired intentionally at Shoaib stating, “If they had wanted to stop the vehicle they could have shot out the tires.”

Approximately forty journalists protested in Mingora on Sunday, demanding an investigation of the Shoaib shooting.  On Monday and Tuesday, more journalist protesters rallied.  They said that many journalists have been killed for no reason except performing their professional duties.  They also criticized the government for not providing protection to journalists and demanded that the soldiers involved in Shoaib’s killing be arrested and punished.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Pakistan Troops ‘Kill Journalist’ – 10 November 2008

Daily Times – Journalists Protests Colleague’s Killing – 11 November 2008

Pakistan Times – Security Forces Kill Seven Militants in Swat – 11 November 2008

Reporters Without Borders – Journalist Shot Dead in the Swat Valley – 10 November 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive