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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday decided to constitute a three-member judicial commission to probe into the murder attempt on leading journalist Hamid Mir.
A formal request in this regard would be sent to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to nominate three members of the commission, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister House.
The government also announced a reward of Rs10 million for any information leading to the arrest of culprits.
Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid met with the senior journalist at a local hospital in Karachi where he said that federal government would extend all cooperation to Sindh's government in the probe of the incident.
Rashid further said that those trying to impose their agendas at gunpoint wont be allowed to succeed.
Mir was injured after his arrival in Karachi when unknown gunmen opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in, near Natha Khan area on Sharae Faisal road.
Doctors responsible for treating Mir reported his condition was out of danger.
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| Hamid Mir in hospital |
Amir Mir, brother of Hamid and also a journalist, on Saturday accused the powerful Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of responsibility for the attack, saying the wounded television anchor had felt threatened beforehand.
Last year police defused a bomb planted under Hamid Mir's car before it could go off.
The military in a statement on Saturday described the accusations against the ISI as baseless and “condemned the incident and demanded an independent inquiry.”
Last month Raza Rumi, a prominent television anchor known for his outspoken critical views on the Taliban insurgent group, survived a similar assassination attempt in Lahore.
Rumi's driver died of the injuries he sustained.
Last month Pakistan announced it would set up a special commission to protect journalists and would include press freedom as part of peace talks with the Taliban.
Rights groups have called Pakistan one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
According to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, seven reporters lost their lives in the country last year.
Shahidullah Shahid, main spokesman for Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), denied any role in the attack on Hamid Mir despite calling him “secular and an active propagandist against Taliban after attack on Malala.” – AFP/APP
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Comments (58) Closed
Apr 20, 2014 04:40pm
The gov't has rightly ordered judicial inquiry of this attempt to kill Hamid Mir. All is not that easy as it looks. The plan to kill Hamid Mir was a multi-dimensional target attack. The enemy knows quite well that it is impossible to defeat Pakistan militarily so plan two in operation. Why after most of the happenings our respectable & priced possession organizations have to offer clarifications. The government has to be in serious guard against the buying spree of our enemy, they want to trade in commodity & non-commodity alike. Sudden screen invasion is a big question mark that needs an answer. The enemy want to see by remaining un-seen.
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Apr 20, 2014 04:43pm
Probe... to search whom,,,the people we are negotiating with...
Probe... to search whom,,,the people who do not accept our constitution..
Probe... to search whom,,,,the people whom we let free for one month cease fire..
Probe to hide the failures...
May God save us... Ameen
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Apr 20, 2014 05:02pm
In other words........he wants nothing should be done.
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Apr 20, 2014 05:13pm
For years we are hearing from Hamid Mir that if he is killed the finger should point towards ISI. Yesterday according to his brother he pointed the finger at ISI DG. My question is if he has been pointing finger at ISI before anything happens, why in the world ISI would go after him? And then we have Pakistan self proclaimed imminent Journalist Ansar "the red line" Abbasi of the THE NEWS came with a first page article that ISI DG should resign!? If anything from this so called free judiciary and free press that we got is non-sense. These institutions should pay attention and heed to more pressing issue of terrorism and other immediate danger to the existence of this country.
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Apr 20, 2014 05:35pm
The attack on Hamid Mir is a condemn-able act and the PM is right to have ordered a judicial probe. Lucky for him and his family, Hamid Mir survived. But what about 80,000 innocent Pakistanis who have simply perished at the hands of terrorists?
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Apr 20, 2014 05:46pm
@Abdulla hussain:
Wow, your message is so encrypted and suggestive that you sound like the insider - You must know who did it. We did not probe when thousands were blown up in bombings, there were no probes when doctors, scientists and eminent scholars were murdered. That is not to say that there should not be a probe - the point here is that it is all smoke screen.
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Apr 20, 2014 05:49pm
In present govt the judicial probe means family probe..
It will happen that way Nawaz family wants it to...
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Apr 20, 2014 05:50pm
Hamid Mir touched someones 'dignity' ?
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Apr 20, 2014 05:52pm
Pakistan was made for the army, anyone not in the army will be treated like Hamid mir sir.
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Apr 20, 2014 05:55pm
What? What is this happening with our Money? :S He was a normal MAN! What the Hell?
>The government also announced a reward of Rs10 million for any information leading to the arrest of culprits.
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Apr 20, 2014 05:57pm
In Pakistan justice Is only for powerful people.Why not a judicial commission to investigate the killings of minorities in Pakistan. I remember when terroriste attacked a minority group Hamid Mir has the stance That many Muslims are killed in bomb blasts in Pakistan so what Is sp
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Apr 20, 2014 06:14pm
we pray to God almigthy For Hamid Mir's recovery
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Apr 20, 2014 06:17pm
The Indian media has been bad mouthing and blaming ISI and its Chief for anything bad happens in its country for the last two decades, now Pakistan's own media and its anchorman. Very SAD and IRONIC to serve the interest of Anti-Pakistan forces.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:21pm
This is the least Nawaz Sharif had to do to get away with an eye wash. First, it is unlikely that the actual perpetrators of the crime would be captured. And, if they are, they will be let off in a few months due to lack of evidence as no one will give evidence fearing their own lives. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT - NO ONE WHO PLANNED AND ORDERED, THE REAL PERPETRATORS, WILL EVER BE IDENTIFIED LET ALONE EVER INDICTED OR PUNISHED. THAT MUCH IS GUARANTEED.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:28pm
Judicial probe, police inquiry and strict law enforcement has to be implemented for all citizens. This can not be reserved for fellow politicians, TV anchors, journalists, physicians or other influential people.
If judicial probe is only reserved for a select few, it will strongly smell of a conflict of interest.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:32pm
All the signs of a RAW job, with simultaneous accusations against ISI in morning news in Indian newspapers. How did they know when the incident happened after the morning papers were published. Another RAW run TV channel via traitors was putting out RAW version. The license of this channel should be removed, it is not suitable here Geo-graphically.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:38pm
There should also be judicial probe on which journalists are serving enemy interests for money. There must also be probe as to which journalists are on the payroll of political parties.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:39pm
Bholay! You don't know who the culprit is. They have already been named by Mir's brother and supporters - Geo network.
Don't believe that. Than another Malala in making.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:42pm
Many, perhaps innumerable inquiry or judicial commissions have been set up in our past history, which submitted findings to govt. Many of such probe commissions are reported to have pointed fingers towards the concerned culprits but no action whatsoever is reported to have been taken on the recommendations of the commissions, let alone punish the pointed out culprits. Therefore and as such nothing is likely to happen this time around too. It is widely believed that our rulers have found an easy way out in the shape of setting up commissions in order to calm the public anger only, nothing else, as no action on the findings or recommendations is ever intended.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:47pm
It is all drama to destabilize Pakistan. It's an attack on a person and police investigation will suffice.
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Apr 20, 2014 06:52pm
Too late and too less like matte pao.
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Apr 20, 2014 07:06pm
We pray for his recovery. It is really sad that people like him who has strong and valid views on certain issues are targeted like this. Unfortunately Mrs Bhutto was killed. Nawaz Sharif was coup years back. Pakistan has very sad history. There is no patience and tolerance in Pakistan society. If some one does not agree with certain leaders they should counter their views by making public consenus rather them killing them.
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Apr 20, 2014 07:22pm
If Pervaiz Musharraf was blamed for Benazir's murder for providing insufficient security. Nawaz Sharif should be held responsible for the attack on Hamid Mir and for the murder of thousands of other Paksitani's for lack of security and poor law and order situation.
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Apr 20, 2014 07:54pm
Even if this reward is increased to 100 millions, who would come forward to provide any information against those who are known to be most powerful in Pakistan and get eliminated ?
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Apr 20, 2014 07:59pm
As Hamid Mir's brother is pointing out it is someone Zaheer ul Islam who ordered the attack. If it is so then it is only a case of personal enmity why is the PM getting involved? Did he got involved in the 'gujjars' personal enmity cases? Has he ordered judicial inquiry for clan fighting in KKP and Sindh? Why the girls gang raped in Sindh and Punjab due to personal enmity were not beneficiary of judicial inquiry? In the present conspiracy filled scenario it seems attack on Mir was orchestrated to malign someone - be it TTP, ISI, MQM or anyone else for larger benefit of the government. I agree with some comments that PM should resign and take responsibility for lack of security for common people like Hamid Mir.
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Apr 20, 2014 08:03pm
Nawaz Shareef can only think of providing security for himself, and his family, and the rest can go to hell. Somebody needs to tell Nawaz Shareef to just Shut up -- Enough drama we have seen.
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Apr 20, 2014 08:03pm
IF it was ISI behind this, i'm sure they would've done a better job..
I see he was hit by 6 bullets, but no blood in his car. Indeed, he was apparently talking to people on this mobile phone after the attack telling them he's still being chased..!
3 bullets are still in his body, but he's out of danger ..!?
It all smells a bit fishy to me.
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Apr 20, 2014 08:03pm
@sumit ji:
"people like him who has strong and valid views..."
Ahh, the valid views. Looks like you agreed with Hamid Mir's views, or should I say he agreed with your's.
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Apr 20, 2014 08:23pm
@zak: RAW is not # 1 intelligence agency.
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Apr 20, 2014 08:25pm
what about the rest of Pakistani that are being killed daily because of such attack who will give them justice PM sahab
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Apr 20, 2014 08:26pm
@Taimur
They set them free to kill more
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Apr 20, 2014 08:36pm
@Naseer:
Well said
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Apr 20, 2014 08:36pm
@Naseer:
Absolutely.
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Apr 20, 2014 09:09pm
@zak:
Paranoid much?? Blaming RAW/CIA, etc is so far off the tangent that I couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to comment. I have seen you comment on many articles in Dawn, and frankly I am worried about your mental health. Please see a professional.
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Apr 20, 2014 09:31pm
The state of Pakistan has failed repeatedly
To save the life of its founder;
To unmask the conspiracy of Liaquet muder;
To determine cause of its break up;
To prosecute and punish Benazir murderers
To hang condemned killers
To annihilate the killers of 50k Pakistanis
IT WILL NEVER FIND THE ATTACKERS OF HAMID MIR.
What else is a failed state?
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Apr 20, 2014 09:33pm
@Amjad Wyne:
I agree. Nothing ever will be found. This is not first nor should it be last.
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Apr 20, 2014 09:39pm
@zak:
All failures of ISI are RAW doing, e.g
Mehran Airbase
GHQ
Karma
POF Wah
To top it all, OSAMA BIN LADEN.
Well done RAW.
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Apr 20, 2014 09:40pm
@Ayub:
What about journalists paid by ISI?
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Apr 20, 2014 09:42pm
Why only for the attackers of Hamid Mir? Are others who loose their lives daily in Pakistan from terrorism not Pakistani nationals?
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Apr 20, 2014 09:43pm
It is very sad that such terrorist activities continue in the heart of Pakistan, what purpose will this inquiry serve, there is no writ of the government and people are being killed daily. It is time that Pakistan Army or international organizations must step in because Pakistani politicians including PML-N cannot deliver and this no politics it is a matter of safety and security of citizens and survival of Pakistan. Pakistan Army or International community should not wait for negotiations with terrorist and allow deaths of thousands of innocent people.
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Apr 20, 2014 10:06pm
@iftakhar malik:
You are correct. Everything that appears to the eyes may not be true.
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Apr 20, 2014 10:21pm
These are same killers/murderers (Talibans) freed by PML Nawaz are now attacking back. Their popular targets are media, attack them and get attention quick. It is no brainer. By the way, you Indian agents, Don't Blame ISI and don't defame our precious army.
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Apr 20, 2014 10:31pm
@Injunjoe:
I agree with you and think is unfair of Dawn to entertain this idiotic (ZAK's) comments by posting.
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Apr 20, 2014 11:20pm
How many judicial commisions have been formed in India and Pakistan after 1947?
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Apr 21, 2014 12:13am
@Husain Jan:
One more thing : When few years back dozens were killed in Nishtar Park, Karachi, the then PM of PPP led govt had rejected a call for a judicial inquiry on the pretext that the law and order is a provincial matter and the federal govt can not order any inquiry. Now this Hamid Mir incident has also taken place in Karachi and this time setting up of a judicial commission is announced by the PM. Not a provincial matter any more ??
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Apr 21, 2014 12:29am
One doesn't know what the outcome of these "Probes" will be. The past results in similar probes haven't been pretty. But if ISI is indeed behind the attack as is being alleged then truly Pakistan has lost all hopes. Freedom, Equity, representation and justice are the four pillars of democracy. Note neither army nor their intelligence is not part of it. Press is the only institution that has an equal stake in all of these pillars. If freedom of expression has been denied by the authority wielding power then there is truly no hope. The very authority will perish due to the natural laws of justice. We seldom attempt to understand nature. Nature does in fact love symmetry. I hope one or two generals get some time to read these comments and set the course right.
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Apr 21, 2014 12:43am
May I ask you Mr. Prime Misister... How many enquiries have you followed in your tenures, and their outcome? Or your orders are just sheer bafunary.
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Apr 21, 2014 01:11am
PM should also order a probe as to why he appoints Najam Sethi as PCB
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Apr 21, 2014 01:11am
Why is Mr. Mir so important that he deserves Judicial probe and not a commons citizen? A question on Media and its special interests.
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Apr 21, 2014 01:16am
PM should also order a probe as to why he appoints Najam Sethi as PCB Chairman again and again? Najam Sethi is not just being rewarded for helping N League rig the elections but also help Geo Super grab TV rights of Pakistan Cricket. Geo wanted its man as the head of PCB and PM obeyed? Off course, it will be helpful in getting TV rights. Is it not corruption? Where is suo moto on this??
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Apr 21, 2014 01:44am
@Amjad Wyne:
Bang on ! where where, and are, those probes, hue and cry when doctors, scientists and scores of other innocents lives were lost.
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Apr 21, 2014 02:38am
Watch Shrek 3 and you will know all the truth!!!
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Apr 21, 2014 05:48am
Really? Rs10M out of tax payers pocket for the person providing the info? If NS is so concerned about Hamid Mir, then why not offer the money out of his own pocket? In a poor country like Pakistan - this kind of big reward is ridiculous! I am not saying we don't need to but a bounty for the informer of this attack, and this attach is definitely sad & bad, but this big amount is just ridiculous!
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Apr 21, 2014 07:17am
The allegation against the ISI/Military is very serious. Armed Forcess integrity has been badly shaken. Amir Mir,his brother statment charging the ISI and Hamid Mir apprehension previously naming ISI CHief behind this deadly attack as openly discussed over TV channel can not stable ISi and his CHief position by simply issuing a denial statement in the matter.Please note that Army has had never been on one page with the political forces,but they keep harping on the same string wishing to live in fools paradise
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Apr 21, 2014 08:21am
Free press acts as the eyes and ears of democracy. I am not at all surprised that the press is a soft target for those who do not believe in democratic discourse. I wish the people of Pakistan the very best in taking the challenge head on & wish for speedy recovery of Mr Hamid Mir.
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Apr 21, 2014 10:38am
When there is no security for a common man then there should no security for these kind of peoples who are earning salary in Millions.
Media has made the whole country HOSTAGE, Specially Geo should be BANNED. Bringing and adopting the Indian Culture the most and funded. Geo is the biggest defaulter and tired of this Channel. They cannot show live matches of Pakistan series but Bringing IPL live everyday when our cricket team players are kicked out after first season.
Shame on Geo.
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Apr 21, 2014 10:48am
@Abdulla hussain:
It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. we had so many of those inquiries in the past...
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Apr 22, 2014 08:07pm
The journalist is a citizen of Pakistan. Protection of lives and property is the fundamental duty of the State. I see no reason to provide special credence to his shooting by appointing
a Committee to probe in it. same consideration should be bestowed on all killings
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