By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: At the first death anniversary of their colleague, the journalist community remained dissatisfied with the investigation into the brutal murder of journalist Khalil Jibran, claiming that the FIR registered by the police distorts the facts.
Speaking at the first death anniversary of the slain journalist at the Landikotal Jirga Hall, former president of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ), Qazi Fazalullah, ANP leader Malik Darya Khan Afridi, Torkham custom clearing association president Mujeeb Shinwari, tehsil chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari and others called on the provincial government to immediately address the financial hardships and security concerns faced by Khalil Jibran’s orphaned children.
A large number of political party leaders, local elders, civil society members, social workers and local government representatives attended the seminar.
Speaking on the occasion, Qazi Fazalullah lamented that since 2005, 19 journalists affiliated with the TUJ have been killed across the tribal districts. “Tragically, not a single perpetrator has been arrested, nor have proper investigations been conducted,” he said.
He recalled that Khalil Jibran, a reporter for Khyber News, was shot dead by militants a year ago in his native village of Sultankhel in Landikotal.
“Although an FIR was registered at Landikotal Police Station, the facts were deliberately distorted and a false report was filed,” he alleged.
The journalist community stressed that tribal journalists have been waging a battle for the survival of independent journalism for the past two decades and continue to pay a heavy price for their commitment to truth and accountability.
Journalists expressed serious concern over the persistent delay in the investigation of his murder.
Speakers alleged that the police had failed to make any positive headway in identifying the miscreants involved in the killing of Khalil Jibran, who was martyred on June 17, 2024.
While paying tribute to the services of the journalist, they termed him an ardent campaigner for peace and development, as well as a social activist who worked tirelessly for the promotion of education, especially girls’ education, and for preserving the local environment.
“Khalil Jibran didn’t give up his brave reporting and helped the needy people of his community despite facing threats, ultimately losing his life in his struggle,” they said.
The speakers stressed the need to carry forward their mission.
The speakers also expressed their dismay over the authorities’ failure to investigate the murder cases of the other 19 tribal journalists during the last two decades. They demanded foolproof security for all the journalists reporting from the merged districts.
