Unesco deplores murder of Pakistani journalist

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has deplored the murder of Pakistani journalist Ashiq Ali Mangi who was gunned down on February 17.Mangi, 30, was known for his reports on a local feud between two ethnic groups which may have led to his murder. He was riding his motorcycle when two gunmen shot at him and fled the scene. He was on his way to the Khairpur Press Club when he was murdered. He worked as a reporter for Mehran TV, a private TV channel in Pakistan.According to a press release of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Unesco Director-General Irina Bokova spoke out against the murder on Friday in New York. “Attacks against journalists constitute a serious and unacceptable threat to democracy, which is based on the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,” Bokova said. “I welcome the statement by Pakistani authorities that the murder would be investigated thoroughly with the culprits brought to justice.”In 2009 Pakistan was the fourth deadliest nation for journalists.