UNESCO chief condemns murder of Pakistani journalist

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with protecting the freedom of expression today condemned the killing of a Pakistani journalist, Abdost Rind, in the south-western province of Balochistan, and voiced concern over the safety of media professionals in the country.

“The killing of Abdos Rind raises further concern over the ability of media workers in Pakistan to exercise the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,” said the Director-General of the UN Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, in a statement.

Mr. Rind, who had been working for an Urdu language newspaper, the Daily Eagle, is reported to have been shot repeatedly by unidentified assailants on 18 February while on his way home from work. He is the second media worker killed in Balochistan this year, according to the International Federation of Journalists.

The press freedom advocacy group, Reporters Without Borders, has said that 11 journalists were killed in Pakistan last year, making it the most dangerous place in the world for the profession.