What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Former Pakistan Prime minister Imran Khan had to cancel his ‘long march’ for the day after a female journalist was crushed to death under the container he was travelling in.
Former Pakistan Prime minister Imran Khan had to cancel his ‘long march’ for the day after a female journalist was crushed to death under the container he was travelling in.
A Pakistani broadcast journalist, Sadaf Naeem, who worked with Channel 5, reportedly slipped from the container and was run over by the vehicle. At the time of filing the report, the cause of her death had not been confirmed yet.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan has been leading a massive rally from Lahore to Islamabad from October 29.
Speaking to The New Indian, Lubna Jerar Naqvi, a senior journalist and fact-checker from Karachi, said, “The death of journalist Sadaf Naeem while covering former PM Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s rally is a grave tragedy. In a freak accident, Sadaf slipped from the container that carried Imran Khan and his party leaders, and she was crushed under the wheels of the same.”
“The death of a journalist or media worker anywhere is a tragedy and the global media fraternity feels the pain because they have once been in a dangerous situation in their life while in the profession,” Naqvi said.
“The media should refrain from sensationalising this story, stop showing videos and images of Sadaf Naeem’s fall and respect her family, especially her children and parents,” Naqvi added.
Speaking of 40-year-old Naeem, Naqvi said, “Sadaf Naeem has been working for a local channel for the last 12 years. Her colleagues highly regarded her as a professional.”
Calling for sanity in the newsrooms, Naqvi said, “Media houses have to begin thinking about safety training for not only journalists and media teams in the field, but also those who give orders from the newsroom. No story is worth one’s life. Journalists should not be pushed to get exclusives at the cost of their safety,”
Meanwhile, speaking to his supporters, Khan said the march, which was supposed to move towards Kamoke, Gujranwala, would be stopped. “Due to the tragic incident, we will stop the march immediately,” the former Pakistan cricketer said.
Sending his condolences to the bereaved family, Khan tweeted, “Shocked & deeply saddened by the terrible accident that led to the death of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem during our March today.”
“I have no words to express my sorrow. My prayers & condolences go to the family at this tragic time. We have cancelled our March for today,” Pakistan’s World Cup-winning skipper said.
The Pakistan government has announced Pakistani Rs 5 million in financial aid for the family of Naeem. Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his heartfelt condolences.
In a tweet, PM Sharif said, “Deeply saddened by the death of reporter Sadaf Naeem after falling from a long march container. There is little to be regretted about the sad incident.”
“Heartfelt condolences to the family. Sadaf Naeem was a dynamic and hard-working reporter. We pray for patience for the family of the deceased,” he added.
Just a few days back, Arshad Sharif, a staunch critic of the military establishment in Pakistan, was killed by the Kenyan police.
An acclaimed journalist, Sharif escaped from Pakistan in August due to sedition charges. It is speculated in Pakistan that he was targeted for his stance and for criticising the current regime in Islamabad.
