In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, another voice was silenced. The target killing, torturing, harassment, and illegal abductions of journalists highlight the dangerous situations and upsurge in violence against journalists in the province.
Khalil Jibran, a renowned journalist associated with Khyber News and former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club, was shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Landi Kotal.
Jibran was driving back home with his friend Sajjad Advocate when his car broke down in Mazreena locality in Khyber Sultankhel area. The gunmen, on a motorbike, surrounded the vehicle, took Jibran out and shot 19 bullets on his neck and head, murdering him on the spot.
The incident occurred in the Mazreena area, near the Landi Kotal Police Station. Jibran’s body was taken to the Landi Kotal hospital for a post-mortem examination.
DPO Abbas mentioned that Jibran had previously faced threats from terrorist groups. He has also reportedly survived a grenade attack in the past.
Condemnations
Journalists and local people protested against the brutal killing of journalist Khalil Jibran. Protesters block Pak-Afghan highway for some time in protest. Local journalist, political and social activists participated in the protests and demanded the immediate arrest of the killers of the journalist. Remember no one has claimed responsibility for the incident.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took notice of a terrible accident and directed that the perpetrators of the journalist’s death be arrested immediately. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned Jibran’s murder.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:
“The IFJ strongly condemns the killing of journalist Khalil Jibran. The death of seven journalists in the first six months of 2024 must serve as a wake-up call to Pakistani authorities to implement and enforce protections for the media. Jibran’s killing must be met with an immediate and thorough investigation from authorities.”
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) condemned the heinous murder of the Khyber News reporter and urged the KP chief minister and federal interior minister to bring Jibran’s perpetrators to justice.
In a statement, the association criticized higher authorities for failing to prevent such incidents, as journalists were continuously facing torture, abductions, and threats.
Due to targeting killing, kidnapping, and harassing of journalists, the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ranks Pakistan 152 out of 180 countries, indicating a low level of media freedom in the country.
Khalil Jibran is the second tribal journalist killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the start of 2024. Last month, journalist from Tapi village Miranshah tehsil, north Waziristan, Kamran Dawar, was killed by unknown armed motorcyclist in front of his house.