Journalist Killed in Balochistan
A journalist in Pakistan’s Balochistan province was reportedly shot dead on Saturday after he resisted an attempt to abduct him by an unidentified gunman. Abdul Latif, who belonged to the Baroque community, was killed in front of his wife and children, according to a statement from the Baroque Yaqueti Committee.
Latif had a background in journalism with outlets like the Daily Intikhab and Aaj News, where he was recognized for his courageous reporting on human rights violations and conflicts in various regions.
Police officials stated that the gunman entered Latif’s home and tried to lure him outside. “When he resisted, the gunman shot him on the spot,” explained Daniyal Kakar, the deputy police chief.
The assailants fled the scene, and to date, no suspects have been apprehended. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
In a troubling coincidence, Latif’s eldest son, Saif Baroque, along with seven other families, were similarly lured out months earlier and subsequently killed.
The Baroque Yaqueti Committee commented, “This tragedy goes beyond a single family; it’s a horrific act of terror meant to intimidate the entire community.” They called on the UN and international media to address these grave violations of human rights.
Various journalist organizations, including the Federal Union of Journalists in Pakistan (PFUJ), have condemned the murder, viewing it as part of a broader agenda of killing and disposing of journalists, activists, and thinkers in the troubled state.
Shalee Baloch, a representative of the Baloch Women Forum, stated, “The brutal murder of Abdul Latif in Mashkay underscores the ongoing human rights crises in Balochistan, demanding immediate accountability and transparency.” She urged the global community to recognize the gravity of the situation and the pressures faced in Pakistan, emphasizing that silence about the Baroque genocide is intolerable and urgent action is needed to avert further violence. “Justice must prevail at least once,” she added.
