'Karachi dangerous city for journalists'

Peshawar, Apr 11: In the wake of attacks on journalists covering Wednesday's violence in Karachi, a top journalists body in Pakistan has said that the country's financial capital was no more a safe place for journalists.

In a statement released yesterday, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said that Karachi was becoming a "dangerous city" for journalists. "It seems that there is no end to violence against journalists," it added. Three journalists, including a female cameraperson from Geo TV, were injured in Wednesday's Karachi riots, while rioters snatched four cameras from cameramen. The vehicles of at least two reporters were set on fire while they were covering violence in the city, reported the Daily Times.

The PFUJ also advised journalists and crews of various television channels to be more cautious while covering violence and to ensure their own safety.

The statement said that last month unidentified armed men had kidnapped two journalists when they were covering the protest demonstrations by rival factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The PFUJ appealed to the owners of TV channels and newspapers to take measures for the safety of their employees, by organising safety training courses for them and providing them with life insurance.

ANI