Geo TV reporter Wali Khan Babar was shot and killed in Karachi this evening, shortly after covering gang violence in the city, according to several Pakistani journalists. At least two assailants intercepted Babar’s car at 9:20 p.m., shooting him multiple times in the head and neck, Geo TV Managing Director Azhar Abbas told CPJ. One assailant spoke to Babar briefly before opening fire, Abbas said.

Voice of America journalist Fazal Aziz, speaking to CPJ from Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where Babar’s body had been taken, said doctors told him the journalist had been shot five times.

“Wali Khan Babar’s death is the latest in a string of targeted attacks on journalists in Pakistan. The government has not addressed the problem in any meaningful way,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “Pakistan has rapidly emerged as an area of extreme risk for reporters. They are targeted from all sides in the country’s disintegrating security situation.”

Babar was driving home after filing a report about gangland clashes in eastern Karachi. He had been covering a police search that ensued after a shooting in the area earlier in the day, his colleagues say.

Pakistan was the deadliest country in the world in 2010, according to CPJ data. The country also ranked 10th on CPJ’s Global Impunity Index, which spotlights countries where journalists are regularly slain and authorities fail to solve the crimes.

KARACHI: Police on Friday lodged an FIR into the murder of Wali Khan Babar, reporter of Geo News, who was gunned down in a targeted attack last night in Liaquatabad.

The FIR No. 08/2011 was registered on the complaint of deceased brother Muhammat Khan Babar at Super Market Police Station.

Babar, 29, was the first reporter to die in the line of duty in Pakistan in 2011.

Investigation officer Khatim Khan Marwat told Geo News that police have found five cases of spent 9mm bullets, adding that fingerprints have also been taken from the vehicle. He added that further investigation is underway.

*Wali Khan Babar Facebook Page*

ISLAMABAD: Government on last day of the year 2010 gave a new-year gift of massive hike in prices of petroleum products to the nation with petrol becoming expensive by a whopping Rs6.71 and diesel Rs4.25 per litre, Geo News reported Friday.

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has issued the notification to this effect and with the beginning of new-year at 12 am, petrol will become expensive by Rs6.71 per litre; diesel price will go up by Rs4.25 a litre; Kerosene oil Rs4.04 and; Light Diesel Rs4.36 and; rate of High Octane will shoot up by 7.69 a litre.

The government has withdrawn the reduction made in petroleum levy in the previous month, sources said.

As usual, sale of petrol and diesel was suspended at many petrol pumps across the country soon after the reports of rise in prices of petroleum products aired on media.

The fresh increase in prices of petroleum products will unleash a massive spell of price spiral, further burdening the people who are already unable to bear the existing inflation.

Reacting with highest degree of ire, the common people have totally rejected the government’s move that will only unleash a new tsunami of price hike for Pakistanis

Song: Uth Jawana

Band: Soch Band

Artist: Adnan

Performing at: GEO Choraha

Video Link: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1243940077092

NEW DELHI: The ordeal of families of Ayesha Siddiqui and Shoaib Malik came to an end when both the families reached a compromise late on Tuesday night with the divorce paper signed by Shoaib Malik handed to Siddiquis.

According to the deal, Ayesha Siddiqui, the first wife of Shoaib Malik withdrew the FIR filed against him, whereas, Shoaib has signed the divorce paper.

No money was exchanged when deal was signed.

A number of Muslim community leaders brokered the deal between the two sides, negotiations for which started last night and concluded this morning. Abid Rasool Khan, a Congress leader and also a common friend to both the families, said many Muslim leaders were involved in working out the compromise.

Addressing the media, Abid Rasool Khan said, “The community especially elders were upset at the muck throwing, the allegations and counter allegations, the inconsistencies in the statements. Things were going bad to worse; there was a lot of pressure from community on both families that this should not be done this way. That is why we got involved. We negotiated whole of last night and by the grace of Allah have managed to hammer out an honourable solution for both parties. We have not taken any sides. The matter has been resolved peacefully.”

He added, “There has been no money involved except the nominal amount required to be given to Ayesha for maintenance at the rate of 5,000 per month for 3 months, as per Islamic Law.”

“There was too much ugliness in the past two months, which has been affecting both the countries. We pressurized both Shoaib and Maha to settle down the issue, and they still stand by what they have been telling. However, seeing the larger interest of the community, they agreed to sign on the divorce paper. No one has won and no one has lost in this case. Everyone should now think about the marriage and forget all the ugliness,” added other Muslim leaders present at the press conference.

Ayesha’s mother, who was present at the press conference expressed relief and said that her daughter has received justice ultimately and is happy. She added, “My daughter wanted a divorce without money and that has happened. Malik has come clean and I am very happy and relieved that finally he gave a divorce and my daughter is released. The charges on him have been withdrawn. The complaint application has been withdrawn.”

Meanwhile, Dr Shams Babar, a close family friend of the Siddiquis earlier confirmed the divorce saying the Siddiquis were dropping criminal charges against the beleaguered cricketer. “A compromise has taken place. The divorce papers have been signed by Shoaib. The FIR against him will be dropped,” stated Babar adding the divorce was made official this morning.

Dr Babar’s daughter Sadiqua, a close friend of Ayesha, added that her friend was happy and relieved that a settlement had been reached and the matter had ended. She also said the negotiations were conducted on behalf of Shoaib and Ayesha by their relatives and that there was no exchange of money involved. “There was only the clearing of the name involved. It was good on Shoaib’s part to come forth and settle this matter,” said Sadiqua adding she wished both Shoaib and Ayesha good luck for their respective futures.

Malik’s change of heart reportedly took place last evening in Hyderabad, after Shoaib Malik’s brother-in-law Imran Zafar came down to India to meet with the lawyers of both the families. The Mirza family meanwhile could also have pressured Malik into clearing his name so that his nuptials with Sania could take place as planned.

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly approved to rename the NWFP as Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw with majority of votes, Geo News reported Thursday.

The members of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) suggested to the House the amendments in Section-3 of the Bill relating the name of the NWFP. However, Chairman Constitutional Reforms Committee of the Parliament Mian Raza Rabbani baulked at the proposals.

The name of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw was adopted with 264 votes of support. At least 20 votes were against the new proposed name.