Multan: A 36-year old Pakistani journalist has been brutally shot dead by the relatives of a girl’s family for supporting her to marry a man against the wishes of her family. This led to a massive protests in southern
Punjab.
Ajmal Joyia, was travelling with hish friend on a motorcycle in Kehror Pucca when five armed men shot him in six bullets and his friend was also critically injured. A police team arrived at the spot after being tipped-off by locals.
Police official said. “Joyia was targeted by the relatives of a woman who married a man of her choice without the permission of the family.”
Joyia’s father Nazar Muhammad has registered an FIR against Iqbal Sial, Riaz Sial, Abbas Sial and two other unidentified assailants in accordance with eyewitness.
Joyia was supporting Sughra Bibi a sister of the Sial brothers to marry Shahzad against the wish of her parents. She also left her paternal home. Joyia was said to have raised the issue in the press and approached district authorities to provide them with adequate security.
Journalists’ associations in Lodhran, Vehari and Multan have staged massive protests against Joyia’s killing they demanded the immediate arrest of Joyia’s killers, calling on Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif to extend financial aid to the family of the deceased journalist.
Following the protests, Lodhran DPO Saad Sarfaraz constituted three special police teams to nab the journalist’s killers.