Armed Attack on Senior Journalist Nasir Ahmed Kakar Is an Assault on Press Freedom; Involved Goons Must Be Arrested Immediately: Hazara Democratic Party
QUETTA (Daily Qudrat) – In a central statement, the Hazara Democratic Party condemned the armed attack and violence against senior journalist and UN News Agency Bureau Chief Nasir Ahmed Kakar, saying that Nasir Ahmed has long been performing his professional duties admirably even under difficult circumstances. The attack on him has caused concern in journalistic circles. The statement demanded that the government and administration take immediate notice of the situation and provide justice to the affected journalist.
On the other hand, Zahid Ahmed Naroi, Provincial Vice President of Jamhoori Watan Party Balochistan, strongly condemned the incident and said that his party fully condemns all kinds of goondaism, violence, intimidation, threats, and illegal actions. He demanded that the elements involved in the incident be arrested immediately and action be taken against them in accordance with the law. Zahid Ahmed Naroi stressed that 
the resolution of any difference of opinion or dispute does not lie in the use of force but in constitutional and legal procedures, and no group should be allowed to take the law into its own hands.
Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafria Balochistan spokesperson Tariq Ahmed Jafri also expressed deep concern over the alleged attack and violence against Nasir Ahmed, terming it a serious threat to press freedom. He demanded that the government and law enforcement agencies determine the actual motives and responsible elements through a transparent and impartial investigation, and award strict punishment to those involved.
Pakistan Peoples Party Balochistan provincial leader Engineer Hadi Askari also described the alleged violence against Nasir Ahmed Kakar as extremely regrettable, condemnable, and contrary to the traditions of Balochistan. In his press release, he described Nasir Kakar as a gentle and kind-hearted personality and said that subjecting journalists to violence is tantamount to shutting the eyes and ears of society. Expressing complete solidarity with the journalist community, he strongly demanded that the government of Balochistan immediately arrest the accused involved in the incident and award them exemplary punishment.
