Pakistan: demonstration of support for journalist Asad Ali Toor in Lahore
Audio 01:34
Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor (center) was assaulted.
Several demonstrations of support took place in the country on May 28, 2021. © Anjum Naveed / AP
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
Several rallies took place Friday, May 29 in Pakistan in support of Asad Ali Toor, a prominent young Pakistani journalist and Youtuber known for his articles questioning "the establishment".
He was assaulted at his home in Islamabad by three gunmen who identified themselves as Pakistani military intelligence agents.
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With our correspondent in Lahore,
Sonia Ghezali
In Pakistan, journalists are often the target of attacks by unidentified men without serious investigation.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 61 journalists have been killed in targeted attacks in Pakistan since 1992.
Gathered during a demonstration in Lahore, journalists and civil society activists demand that a serious investigation be carried out and an end to impunity for the attackers of journalists and those who dare to question the actions of "the establishment ”.
"
We know who these unidentified men are
," chant the participants of the rally in Lahore in support of Assad Ali Toor.
Behind a large banner held by the demonstrators, Hina Gillani, president of the Commission on Human Rights.
“
The problem we have is that the intelligence agencies we have are not accountable to anyone.
Their unofficial mission is to attack those who are particularly critical of the military establishment.
"
"
We will fight until freedom of the press is a reality
"
The 40-year-old human rights activist observes an upsurge in attacks on journalists: “
This rally is not just another gathering.
They need to understand that every time we rally, we go one step further in our efforts to expose those who prey on journalists.
"
Qamar Bhatti, president of the Punjab Journalists Union is sadly not surprised that Asad Ali Toor has suffered an assault.
Journalists who disturb too much are almost systematically attacked, he explains.
“
Sometimes they use the cybercrime law to go after journalists judicially, but more often they go after them physically.
Their goal is to terrorize journalists into being silent.
"
“
We will fight until press freedom is a reality,
” the protesters chanted.
►Also read: The coronavirus weakens press freedom around the world
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