Sadaf Naeem, the Islamabad-based reporter who was tragically crushed to death under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s container, had reportedly wanted to take a break from journalism after the long march was over.
Tarhub Asghar, a BBC correspondent, who had met Sadaf a day before her unfortunate plummet to death, has said that the late reporter had wanted to take a break from journalism after the PTI long march ended.
Tarhub says that when she met Sadaf a day before, she had seemed worried if her hair had grown back.
“I told her they look much better, and then I then saw her look worried, so I inquired about it,” says Tarhub. Sadaf reportedly said that she was okay, but the answer did not convince Tarhub, who repeated her question.
“When I asked her again, she said she was too tired and wanted to take a break from journalism for some time,” Tarhub said, adding that she was a bit amazed at this response as she had always seen Sadaf work proactively, saying that she was perhaps the only female reporter who was on the job 24/7.
“She then asked me what she should do; fully part ways with journalism or just take a break, to which I advised the latter,” recalls Tarhub.
She says that Sadaf told me that her that she would take a break as soon as the long march was over, adding, “I can’t do this anymore, believe me, I’m too tired.”
“Sadaf was kindhearted and I had never heard her say anything against anyone. She would always be one step ahead of her colleagues regardless of the day and time, always ready for an assignment,” Tarhub said.
She added that Sadaf had told her several times that was under immense work pressure as a TV reporter. “Her friends tell me that she walked at least two kilometers along the long march convoy to interview Imran Khan once again,” said Tarhub.
35-year-old Sadaf Naeem joined Channel Five in year 2009. She was married and leaves behind a son and a daughter. Those who worked with her say that she was extremely hardworking, and a professional journalist and wouldn’t let anything hinder her work. She would usually cover political events for her organization, while also regularly reporting Punjab Assembly sessions.
