(MOREPIC1) Face2News/Geneva
Expressing concern over the killing of two Afghan journalists within two days, the global media safety and rights body urged all concerned not to target the media professionals as they do their solemn duties on the ground. Local media reports reveal that Abdul Zahir Safi, associated with Afghanistan state-run media outlets, was killed after an alleged airstrike in a civilian area of Kabul on 16 October. Safi (55), died because of cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, becoming the 145th journo-victim across the globe this year.
Prior to Safi’s demise, Abdul Ghafoor Abid (40), a provincial reporter of Paktia National Radio Television (controlled by the Taliban regime), was killed in Khost locality on 14 October. Another media worker named Tawab Arman also sustained injuries.
Afghanistan Independent Journalists’ Union (AIJU) has already condemned both the killings and demanded justice to the bereaved families. Both the neighbouring nations claim hundreds of casualties in opposition turfs.
“PEC demands an impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to the demise of both the Afghan media persons. Both Abdul Zahir Safi and Abdul Ghafoor Abid were reporting from the conflict zone and they must have the liberty to do so safely,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (pressemblem.ch), adding that both were the first casualties in Afghanistan this year, whereas Pakistan witnessed the murder of five media persons (namely AD Shar, Abdul Latif, Syed Mohammed Shah, Imtiaz Mir and Tufail Rind) since 1 January 2025.