MURREE: Local journalists protested on Mall Road against the killing of their colleague Omair Abbasi last Thursday in Bann Khanitaak near Murree. The protesters brought out a rally which marched from GPO Chowk to Chinar Chowk and returned to the starting point where they (protesters) held a sit-in.

Local politicians, tourists and others also joined the journalist community in their protest and the sit-in.

Speaking on the occasion, the Murree Press Club president, Abdul Hameed Abbasi, said that killing of a journalist at his home showed that journalists were not safe in the country. He called on the police to arrest the perpetrators within 10 days otherwise they would launch a protest until the killers were arrested.

He also appealed to the government to provide journalists with protection and to compensate Omair Abbasi’s family.

He called Abbasi was a professional and honest journalist who has reportedly been threatened by influential figures. He appealed to the police and other government agencies to keep these facts in mind when investigating the case.

Murree Union of Journalists president Imtiaz-ul-Haq called the killing of journalists in a civilized society unacceptable and condemnable. Haq called journalists the voice and ears of a society. He too appealed to the government to compensate Abbasi’s dependants and to beat the expenses of his children’s education.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2015

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