Journalists Killed in 2011 - Motive Confirmed: Wali Khan Babar
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 20 December 2011 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Killed in 2011 - Motive Confirmed: Wali Khan Babar, 20 December 2011, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4f045a8fc.html [accessed 26 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Geo TV
January 13, 2011, in Karachi, Pakistan
Babar, 28, was shot shortly after his story on gang violence aired on the country's most widely watched broadcaster, Geo TV. At least two assailants intercepted the journalist's car at 9:20 p.m. in Karachi's Liaquatabad area, shooting him four times in the head and once in the neck, Geo TV Managing Director Azhar Abbas told CPJ. Witnesses said one assailant spoke to Babar briefly before opening fire, Abbas said.
In April, police announced the arrests of five people and said additional suspects, including the mastermind, were still at large. Police said their initial investigations showed that Babar was killed for his reporting, news accounts said. Home Minister Rehman Malik said operatives of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, or MQM, were responsible for the killing, according to Abbas.
The MQM is Pakistan's third-largest political party and considered its most influential secular political organization. Pakistani media reported that four witnesses to the killing had been shot and killed, as well as the brother of the police officer who was leading the investigation.
| Job: | Broadcast Reporter |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | No |
| Type of Death: | Murder |
| Suspected Source of Fire: | Political Group |
| Impunity: | Yes |
| Taken Captive: | No |
| Tortured: | No |
| Threatened: | Yes |
