Razzaq Gul

Razzaq Gul (1977(?) – 19 May 2012) was a senior Pakistani journalist covering war and politics for Express News in Turbat, Pakistan who was abducted 18 May 2012 and found murdered 19 May 2012. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists,^[1] Razzaq Gul was a member of the Baloch National Movement and secretary of the Press Club of Turbat.

Razzaq Gul was the 22nd journalist to have been murdered in the area of Balochistan, listed as one of the most dangerous places for reporters in Pakistan,^[2] over a four-year period,^[3] and he was one of eight Pakistani journalists killed since Jan 2011.^[4] Three days of demonstrations after his death began 1 June 2012 to protest his murder and impunity, the killing of journalists without investigation or prosecution.

Personal

Razzaq Gul, 35, native of Pakistan, was taken against his will and executed while working as a journalist in Turbat, Pakistan. After being identified by his brother, Gul was buried in his hometown of Singhania Sir.^[5]

Career

Razzaq Gul was a television journalist^[6] covering war and politics for at least 10 years for Express News in the Balochistan province in Turbat, Pakistan.^[7] Gul was the secretary of the Press Club located in Turbat and he was a member of the nationalist political organisation, Baloch National Movement^[5]

Death

Razzaq Gul was taken after leaving a press club on his way home on 18 May 2012.^[8] His body was found the next morning, 19 May 2012, with at least 15 bullet holes and evidence of torture. The unknown assailants discarded the body close to the Old Civil Hospital located in Turbat.^[2]

Islamabad

Karachi

Turbat

The red shaded area is Balochistan, Pakistan, one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Mentioned locations within Pakistan relative to the capital Islamabad and the largest city Karachi.

Context

The city of Turbat, where Gul was found murdered, is located in the province of Balochistan, where intense manoeuvres have been carried out by the Pakistani Military from 2001. The military wants to build temporary quarters for troops in the area which has been met by strong opposition from the citizens of the province due to the growing number of innocent people being killed. The Pakistan Air Force has bombed many of the districts in the region allegedly killing over 3000 people. Over 200,000 people have been forced to relocate to shelters due to the bombings.^[9]

Impact

Due to the violence in the Balochistan province, many reporters are scared to speak out. Razzaq Gul continued to report the facts even though journalists were being persecuted in his home country. Journalists are being targeted and murdered as a way to keep them from reporting the truth about the violent situation in this area of Pakistan.^[10] Research has placed Pakistan at the top of the list for countries posing the most danger to journalists .^[11] Since 2008, there have been at least 27 reporters and news personnel executed in Pakistan.^[12]

Reactions

Reaction to Razzaq Gul's murder was strong and swift. Owais Aslam Ali, secretary general of Pakistan Press International, said journalists in Balochistan need protection to make it possible for them to report the facts as it has become almost impossible for them to do their jobs.^[13] Balochistan Union of Journalists called for a mourning period of three days which began 1 June 2012^[1] Demonstrations took place in Turbat and surrounding areas with shops closing and protestors marching as they chanted for Gul's murderers to be brought to justice.^[14] The protesters said they did not want Razzaq Gul or any other innocent civilian or media worker to be just another name on a list of the dead that goes unsolved.^[1]

Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said, "I condemn the killings of Abdul Razaq Gul and Aurengzeb Tunio who died alongside two companions. I urge the authorities to investigate these killings. It is essential for freedom of expression and for good governance that those responsible for the death of journalists be brought to justice." Other human rights groups called on Pakistani authorities to thoroughly investigate Gul's killing and bring the unknown assailants to justice, and the Acting Inspector General of Police Hussain Karar Khwaja initiated an investigation.^[2][15]

See also

List of journalists killed during the Balochistan conflict (1947-Present)

References