International Press Institute condemns Peshawar Press Club suicide attack

Vienna, Dec.23 (ANI): Describing Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for media persons, the International Press Institute (IPI) has denounced Tuesday's suicide attack outside the Peshawar Press Club in which four persons were killed and over 20 injured.

"Pakistan is already one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists out in the field. The fact that journalists are now being attacked in the traditional haven of a press club is another tragic blow for freedom of the media in Pakistan," IPI director David Dadge said in a statement.

"Things are going from bad to worse," the IPI quoted Pakistan Press Foundation's Secretary General Owais Ali, as saying.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, people from different quarters have also condemned the deadly attack.

Political leaders, journalists, and civil society activists staged protest demonstrations and took out rallies in various parts of Peshawar and Lahore to express solidarity with the media.

Addressing a rally, Lahore Press Club (LHC) President Sarmad Bashir condemned the suicide attack, saying attacks on journalists would not make them abandon their resolve to make the country a terror free nation.

"The attack on journalists has exposed the pseudo-jihadi elements and other terrorist groups who carry out their un-Islamic acts and justify by misinterpreting the religion," The Daily Times quoted Bashir, as saying. (ANI)