Eight journalists have been killed in Pakistan since the beginning of the year, making it one of the most dangerous nations in the world for media. Reporting on the turbulent situation on the Afghan-Pakistani border and the Swat valley has exposed many more journalists to death threats and forced them into silence or exile, thus undermining accurate, independent and timely reporting in the region. Journalists face threats from all sides involved in the conflict, primarily from militant groups and security agencies.

Saleem Tahir Awan, a freelance journalist for the local newspapers Eitedal and Apna Akhbar, Muhammad Imran, a cameraman with Express TV, Aamir Wakil, a journalist with Awami Inqilab, Musa Khankhel, a journalist with Geo TV and The News daily, Raja Assad Hameed, a journalist for The Nation and Waqt TV, Wasi Ahmad Qureshi, a journalist with Balochistan Express, Siddique Bacha Khan, a journalist with Aaj TV, and Janullah Hashimzada, a journalist with Shamshad Television have been killed in the line of duty since the beginning of 2009.

The Board of WAN-IFRA urges the Pakistani authorities to take all necessary measures to end the violence against journalists and the impunity enjoyed by those who order and carry out their execution, to secure a safer environment for journalists and commit to uphold international standards of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.