The kin of deceased journalist Sadaf Naeem does not want anybody to be held accountable for her tragic demise allegedly.
A video purportedly documenting the same has been circulating on social media. In the footage, Punjab Minister Aslam Iqbal is featured seated in the near vicinity of Sadaf’s husband who is handed a document to sign. He is then instructed to pen his name, father’s name and undersign.
Erstwhile Express Tribune Op-Ed editor Omar Quraishi shared the footage separately in the Twitter post. He said the minister “had made” Sadaf’s husband sign papers pledging that no legal proceedings will be initiated against anybody in connection with the Channel 5 reporter’s death. “Punjab Home Minister Aslam Iqbal makes journalist Sadaf Naeem’s husband sign papers to say that he will not be pressing charges against anyone for his wife’s unfortunate death under the wheels of Imran Khan’s container,” Quraishi said in his tweet.
Several politicos, on the other hand, made a beeline for the journalist’s home to offer condolences. Prominent among these were Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, who was seen reassuring the family of the deceased, Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Minister Shazia Marri and Health Minister Yasmin Rashid.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), however in a tweet, prayed the Almighty have mercy on the PTI since its idea of a revolution was premised on shoving reporters to death. “If getting journalists pushed from your container and then crushing them to death is your idea of a bloody revolution then may Allah have mercy on you. PS: It’s a shame that you have to post old pictures to show a ‘sea of people’ that doesn’t even exist.
Similar claims have been aired by others too. Journalist Afzal Sial had claimed that Sadaf was chasing Imran’s container for footage when one of his guards had pushed her. She, according to Sial had died after.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, a daughter of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari, stressed the need for a probe to hold those responsible accountable. “Tragic news of Sadaf Naeem’s sudden death. An investigation must take place to hold those responsible accountable. Heart goes out to her young children. May her family, friends and colleagues have the strength to bear her loss.”
Sadaf was killed on Sunday after being crushed by the PTI chairman’s container while covering his long march to Islamabad. The party called-off the march for the day following the proliferation of the development. Her death was condoled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Information Minister Marriyum Auangzeb, Imran and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz vice-president Maryam Nawaz.
Punjab Home Minister Aslam Iqbal makes journalist Sadaf Naeem’s husband sign papers to say that he will not be pressing charges against anyone for his wife’s unfortunate death under the wheels of Imran Khan’s container pic.twitter.com/SilMQgboZ6
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) October 31, 2022
If getting journalists pushed from your container and then crushing them to death is your idea of a bloody revolution then may Allah have mercy on you.
PS: It’s a shame that you have to post old pictures to show a ‘sea of people’ that doesn’t even exist. https://t.co/XjPwSm3gAp pic.twitter.com/xTRFQ9MHyS
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) October 31, 2022
Tragic news of Sadaf Naeem’s sudden death. An investigation must take place to hold those responsible accountable. Heart goes out to her young children. May her family, friends and colleagues have the strength to bear her loss.
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) October 31, 2022
