Rally seeks judicial probe into journalist’s murder

LANDIKOTAL: A huge protest rally here on Thursday condemned the murder of senior journalist Khalil Jibran and urged the government to form a judicial commission to probe the incident.

A large number of political workers, journalists and local residents gathered at Bacha Khan Chowk in Landikotal Bazaar and chanted slogans against the government for its failure to provide security to the people.

They were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans like “stop killing journalists and provide foolproof protection to the community in Khyber.”Senior journalists and leaders of different political parties spoke on the occasion. They condemned the authorities concerned for their failure to curb terrorism.

“Providing protection to journalists and citizens is the prime responsibility of the state,” said one of the speakers. The speakers demanded the government to form a judicial commission to investigate the murder of Khalil Jibran. They expressed dissatisfaction with the security situation in the area, saying that they had left with no other option but to make arrangements for their own security.

The protestors criticised the delayed response of the police and security forces during the attack on Khalil Jibran. “No serious steps have been taken to bring the killers of the slain journalist to justice even three days after his murder,” said another speaker.

The speakers also urged the political parties to join hands in restoring peace to Khyber and elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Speaking on the occasion, Landikotal Press Club president Shah Rehman Shinwari appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the incident. He also demanded the government to provide RS 10million as compensation to the family of the slain journalist and free education to his children.