A female reporter associated with Channel Five was killed after she was run over by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan’s container near Punjab’s Sadhoke during the party’s long march, on Sunday.
According to her channel, senior reporter Sadaf Naeem was crushed by the vehicle after she fell from it.
PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar confirmed the incident, with the latter announcing that the day’s activities had been called off in view of the “tragic accident”.
آج کے افسوسناک حادثے کے بعد فوری طور پر مارچ کو روک دیا گیا ہے. انشاءاللہ کل کامونکی سے دوبارہ آغاز ہو گا #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 30, 2022
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to express deep remorse at the incident and condoled with the bereaved family.
He expressed that Ms. Naeem was an active and hardworking reporter, and prayed for the departed soul.
رپورٹر صدف نعیم کی لانگ مارچ کنٹینر سے گرنے سے ہلاکت پر شدید دکھ ہے۔ اندوہناک واقعے پر جتنا افسوس کیاجائے، کم ہے۔ اہل خانہ سے دلی تعزیت کرتے ہیں۔ صدف نعیم ایک متحرک اور محنتی رپورٹر تھیں۔ مرحومہ کی مغفرت اہل خانہ کے لئے صبر جمیل کی دعا کرتے ہیں۔
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2022
PTI chairman also made a brief announcement to the supporters about the postponement of the march.
He added, “We pray for the patience and strength to the woman’s family to deal with the tragedy.”
چیئرمین عمران خان کی خاتون صحافی کیساتھ حادثے پر اظہار تعزیت اور آج کے دن کے لیے لانگ مارچ کو فوری طور پر روک دیا گیا۔
#حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/6F5ovNM6XZ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 30, 2022
Shocked & deeply saddened by the terrible accident that led to the death of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem during our March today. I have no words to express my sorrow. My prayers & condolences go to the family at this tragic time. We have cancelled our March for today.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 30, 2022
‘Mother of three daughters’
Hasan Raza, Deputy Bureau Chief, Dunya News urged financial support for the journalist, on the micro-blogging website.
“Sadaf Naeem was associated with Channel Five as a senior reporter. An extremely hardworking, humble, 14-hour active working woman. She has three daughters and all young kids,” he posted.
“This is an appeal to all well-to-do people to think about the future of her children and extend financial support to the family.”
صدف نعیم چینل فائیو کی سینئر رپورٹر تھی، انتہائی قابل محنتی اور نہایت خوش اخلاق 14 گھنٹے کام کرنے والی خاتون تھی۔ تین بیٹیاں ہیں بچے چھوٹے ہیں، پلیز اس کی مدد کریں بچوں کا کوئی صاحب استطاعت سوچے ان کا مستقبل کا😭😭😭
— Muhammad Hasan Raza محمد حسن رضا (@HasanRazaLhr) October 30, 2022