The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a global organization advocating for press freedom, has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately and transparently investigate the killing of journalist Abdul Latif Baloch and bring those responsible to justice.
According to CPJ, unidentified armed men entered Abdul Latif’s home in the Mashkay area of Awaran district on the morning of May 24 and shot him multiple times. As reported by the BBC, he was struck by four bullets. Local police say an investigation is underway, though the motive for the killing remains unclear.
Baloch political and civil society groups allege that Abdul Latif Baloch was shot dead by Pakistani security forces.
Local sources told The Balochistan Post on 24 May that the journalist, who worked for Daily Intikhab, was killed around 3 a.m. inside his home in Mashkay. Eyewitnesses say the shooting occurred in front of his family members. Latif was known for covering sensitive issues related to the ongoing independence movement in Balochistan.
Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia Program Director, stated that Pakistani authorities must determine the motive behind Abdul Latif’s murder and investigate whether it was linked to his journalistic work.
Journalists in Pakistan, particularly those reporting from conflict zones like Balochistan, face growing threats and violence from both state and non-state actors. CPJ emphasized that the government must ensure the safety and freedom of journalists throughout the country.
In its statement, CPJ noted that Abdul Latif Baloch had worked with notable media outlets, including Daily Intikhab, Aaj News, and ARY News, and was actively reporting on the volatile situation in Balochistan.
The organization also revealed that the Inspector General of Balochistan Police, Moazzam Jah Ansari, did not respond to their inquiries regarding the investigation into the journalist’s killing.
CPJ stressed that Pakistan remains a dangerous country for journalists, particularly those who critically report on militancy, the military establishment, corruption, and organized crime.
Since 1992, at least 75 journalists and media workers have been killed in Pakistan in connection with their work, CPJ reported. Pakistan ranks 12th on CPJ’s 2024 Global Impunity Index, which tracks countries where the killers of journalists go unpunished.