Pakistan: Imran halts march after his container crushed female journalist to death
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi halted his “long march” from Lahore to Islamabad late on Sunday after a female journalist covering the event was crushed to death under his container truck.
Khan, who took out the march ostensibly to demand mid-term elections, is trying to salvage his reputation after the Election Commission unseated him from National Assembly and debarred him for five years from contesting polls in the infamous “Toshakhana case” wherein he was found guilty of selling the gifts he received as Pakistan’s PM between September 2018 and March 2022.
The former cricketer-turned-politician is fighting on multiple fronts, including against the all-powerful Pakistan Army against whom he has been leveling allegations since it forced him out of power in April this year.
Khan’s vehicle ran over TV news Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem after she fell from it near Sadhoke, the media reported.
The gruesome incident forced Khan to halt the march on his way to Islamabad to pressure the federal government led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif into calling snap elections.
Khan’s convoy had started from the eastern city of Lahore and is expected to reach Islamabad on Friday.
“Shocked & deeply saddened by the terrible accident that led to the death of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem during our March today,” Khan tweeted.
The long march resumed its journey on Monday from Kamoke. Earlier, it was planned to reach Gujranwala by the end of its third day (Sunday).
Reacting to the death of the journalist, PM Sharif said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.
Sadaf Naeem was a “dynamic and hardworking” reporter, he said, adding that he prays for the forgiveness of the deceased and patience for the family.
Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb also expressed shock over Sadaf’s death and questioned how the reporter was run over by the container-carrying truck used by Khan.
“I knew her. She was a hard-working journalist and was killed while trying to interview Imran Khan, which is shocking,” she said.
Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi lauded the deceased and extended his condolences to her family. He also announced financial help worth Rs 25 lakh for her family. “The Punjab government will take full care of the family,” he tweeted.
