Journalist murdered in troubled southwestern province

Reporters Without Borders appeals again to the Pakistani authorities to protect journalists after Abdul Haq Baluch, a reporter for ARY News TV and two newspapers, the Daily Awan and Tawar, was gunned down on 29 September in Khuzdar, in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Offering its heartfelt condolences to Baluch's family, friends and colleagues, Reporters Without Borders said: "We call for an investigation to shed light on the motives of this murder and to ensure that those responsible do not go unpunished. The possibility that it was linked to the victim's work must be considered." The press freedom organization added: "The Pakistani authorities must guarantee security throughout the country and in Balochistan in particular, so that journalists can work without putting their lives in danger." Baluch was shot by two unidentified gunmen as he was going to the Khuzdar Press Club and died soon afterwards from the injuries he sustained in the attack. “Abdul Haq Baluch is another victim of overall situation prevailing in Balochistan," former Khuzdar Press Club president Riaz Mengal told Reporters Without Borders, adding that Baluch had not reported getting any threats. Pakistan is ranked 151st out of 179 countries in the 2011-2012 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.