The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media safety and rights organization, has raised grave concerns over the persistent violence against journalists in Pakistan following the killing of Janan Hussain, a journalist in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hussain, aged 40, was among the 42 Shiite Muslims ambushed and killed by gunmen in Kurram locality on November 20. He worked for Channel 365 and was associated with the Parachinar Press Club. His death marks the 11th journalist killed in Pakistan this year.
PEC President Blaise Lempen called for a thorough investigation into the incident and immediate action against the perpetrators. “Janan Hussain becomes the 129th journalist killed globally since January 1, and it is deeply concerning that impunity for such crimes remains rampant. The Pakistani authorities must act swiftly to bring justice for Hussain, who leaves behind a young family,” Lempen said. He also noted that the high death toll of media workers in Pakistan, even in the absence of war, is alarming.
Nava Thakuria, PEC’s South Asia representative, detailed the killings of 10 other media workers in Pakistan this year, including Jam Saghir Ahmed Lar (Punjab, March 14), Tahira Nosheen Rana (Punjab, April 22), Muhammad Siddiq Mengel (Balochistan, May 3), and Kamran Dawar (North Waziristan, May 21). The list highlights the wide geographic spread of these attacks, spanning regions such as Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PEC’s appeal comes amid growing concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Pakistan, where media workers continue to face targeted violence and a lack of accountability for their killers.