PRESS CLUB OF INDIA and its members deeply mourn the death of Pakistani investigative journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad. His dead body was found in a canal in North-east Pakistan on May 31, showing signs of torture, two days after he was kidnapped.
Journalism transcends borders. We believe freedom of information and expression is a universal fundamental right. We have fullsome praise for our brave colleagues in Pakistan who are working under most tiresome and challenging circumstances. The current situation in Pakistan has left not only its citizens, but all of us dazed.
In a situation of chaos and culture of violence, press usually becomes a favourite target. We believe combating forces inimical to democracy and freedom of expression and press should be a priority for all of us.
Shahzad covered a variety of topics through his career, including global security issues. His last book ``Inside Al-Qaeda and the Taliban: Beyond Bin Laden and 9/11鋳, was published shortly before his death.
Shahzad's work was regularly reproduced in Asia Times Online and Pakistani English dailies including The Daily Times, the Nation and The Post, and in Urdu newspapers such as Mashriq Peshawar and Aaj Peshawar. His articles were reproduced in many English dailies in Afghanistan and Bangladesh, as well as in local-language dailies. His work was often quoted in the international press.
Shahzad is not the first journalist killed in Pakistan nor is he likely to be the last. Scores of journalists have been killed and kidnapped in Pakistan over past few years.
In this hour of grief for Shahzad痴 family and friends, the Press Club of India lends moral support to their brave colleagues across the border and all over world. We believe that life and freedom are not endowed to us by any book, society or the government, but are the fundamental rights. And the light of freedom shall glow, till people like Shahzad remain amongst us, who have the audacity and courage to unveil black forces.
Press Club of India demands that Government of Pakistan to take some concrete measures for the security and protection of journalists. Democracy does not thrive where journalists are killed regularly.
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