DAWN.COM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Minister of Interior Rehman Malik has ordered immediate withdrawal of case registered against journalists in Balochistan and announced Rs2.5 million as reward for the person who will provide information about the killers of Baloch journalist Abdul Haq Baloch.

While talking to media persons at national press club, Islamabad, on Tuesday, the minister said that two representatives of journalists will also be included in judicial commission which will be announced on Wednesday (today).

He also announced a job for the only son of late journalist Abdul Haq in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Rs1 million as a compensation for the family. Minister Interior said that the government believes in freedom of press and will leave no stone
unturned in arresting the killers of Abdul Haq.

He also said that an act will be prepared for the protection of journalists and will be presented in the cabinet meeting for approval.

He said that some elements were deliberately spoiling the peace in the country and demanded cooperation from the journalist community against the conspiracy.

While replying to a question regarding peace march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) towards Waziristan, he said that so far no one has contacted the federal government to provide security to the participants of the march.

It is worth mentioning that on Monday, First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the journalists of Balochistan who staged a sit-in in front of the Governor and Chief Minister House to record their protest against the murder of Abdul Haq Baloch in Khuzdar

Meanwhile, leader of opposition in National Assembly, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan condemned the registration of FIR against the journalists who were protesting against the murder of a journalist.

He demanded that culprits behind the murder of Adbul Haq Baloch should be arrested immediately.

The government has an insulting attitude with the Supreme Court and now it seems that it is going to start a conflict with the media, he said.