Pak judicial commission to probe journalist''s murder

Karachi, Jan 16 (PTI) Pakistan government has announcedformation of a judicial commission to probe the murder of aprominent journalist in Karachi during the fresh wave ofviolence and target killings that have claimed 31 lives sofar.

Pakistan''s financial hub has been in the grip ofpolitical violence since Wednesday night and as many as 31persons have been killed so far, most of them activists of theMuttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party(ANP), local media reported.

Geo television channel reporter Wali Khan Babar was amongthose killed in the violence.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik had to come out of ameeting with some religious leaders yesterday to pacifyprotesting journalists, who raised slogans against thegovernment for failing to arrest the culprits behind thekilling of Babar.

Malik announced formation of a judicial commission toprobe Babar''s killing. He said it would look into violenceagainst journalists.

He said there were some elements, who were trying toscare and silence the media and the government will not allowthis to happen.

Babar was gunned down in an apparent target killing inthe Liaquatabad area of Karachi after the fresh wave ofviolence hit the city.

Leading political parties and leaders want the issue tobe discussed in the National Assembly, lower house ofparliament, and have asked for the government to take concretemeasures to stamp out those involved in target killings.

Main opposition PML-N party leader Nawaz Sharif, at apress conference, asked the government to convene a NationalAssembly meeting on the alarming situation in Karachi anddemanded severe punishment to those responsible for theunrest in the metropolis.

Rehman Malik also met Jamaat Ulema Islam-F Chief MaulanaFazlur Rehman to discuss the increasingly tense law and ordersituation in Karachi.

Fazlur Rehman expressed his concern over incidents oftarget killings in Karachi and called for the immediate arrestof those involved in such crimes.

Both MQM and ANP, whose activists have been killed inthe violence, have come out strongly against the killings.

The ANP submitted an adjournment motion against theviolence in the Senate, saying these killings weredestabilising the city.

The MQM, while denouncing the violence, said a stableKarachi was in the best interest of the country after one ofits former union councilors was shot dead in Orangi Towntoday.

Police said over 30 suspects have been arrested in latenight operations in Karachi since Friday.