By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Urging to bring the culprits to justice, the first death anniversary of tribal journalist Khalil Jibran Afridi was commemorated with great respect and reverence at the in Landikotal on Tuesday.
Journalists, political figures and social activists attended the memorial ceremony.
Among the key attendees were Tehsil Chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari, PTI leader Abdul Raziq Shinwari, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir Murad Hussain Afridi, Malik Mazi Khan Shinwari, social activist Shakir Afridi, ANP leader Fazal Rahman Afridi, and a large number of journalists.
Khalil Jibran, a tribal journalist and social activist from Landikotal, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on June 19, 2024. Known for his bold reporting, pro-peace stance, and commitment to education and development, Jibran had no known personal enmity, making his targeted killing a chilling attack on press freedom. His murder remains unsolved, with no concrete progress in investigations, drawing widespread criticism from the journalist community and human rights defenders.
Speakers at the event expressed deep disappointment over the failure to arrest Khalil Jibran’s killers. They emphasized that while Khalil may have been martyred, society still remembers him with respect, which was a clear defeat for his murderers.
The speakers criticized the investigative agencies for not keeping the public informed and called the lack of progress a complete failure of justice. They described Jibran’s killers as cowards who couldn’t challenge his voice and ideas, so they silenced him instead.
Khalil Jibran was hailed as not only a brave journalist but also a passionate social reformer. He raised his voice for peace, promoted education, advocated for development and inspired many with his vision of a green and progressive tribal region.
The speakers said Jibran’s voice may have been muted, but his ideas and legacy would continue to guide the new generation. They stressed that his killing was an injustice not only to him but to the entire Landikotal community.
Calling for unity, the speakers urged the Pashtun community to actively work for sustainable peace in the region. “The list of tribal martyrs keeps growing. We cannot bear more funerals,” they said.
