Amnesty International | May 31, 2011 | Pakistan must probe intelligence agencies as body of journalist is found

Any investigation into the abduction and reported death of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad must include the country's feared security and intelligence agencies, Amnesty International said today.

The body of Saleem Shahzad, who went missing on Sunday 29 May, was found close to his abandoned car in the north-west of the country Pakistani media reports say. Reports also suggest that evidence of torture was found on the body.

"Pakistan's intelligence agencies face serious allegations that they been involved the numerous killings of activists, lawyers and journalists," said Sam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific Director at Amnesty International.

"Early indications from this case suggest an alarming expansion of the "˜kill and dump' operations previously seen mostly in Balochistan province."

"The Pakistan authorities must hold those responsible to account and protect journalists targeted merely for doing their jobs."

Saleem Shahzad had published an article on 27 May reporting on a terrorist attack at a Pakistan Naval base, and alleging links between al-Qaida and Pakistan Naval officials.

Amnesty International has since July 2010 documented the disappearances and killing of at least 100 activists, journalists, lawyers and teachers in Balochistan, with victims' relatives often blaming the security and intelligence services.

More reading

Pakistan must provide accountability for rising atrocities in Balochistan (News story, 23 February 2011)

Balochistan: Victims of reported disappearances and alleged extrajudicial and unlawful killings in Balochistan, 24 October 2010 - 20 February 2011 (23 February 2011)

Background

Balochistan has a long history of civil and armed unrest since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, with ethnic Baloch groups advocating greater autonomy within the state or complete separation.

Balochistan holds the largest single source of domestic energy reserves in Pakistan, but Baloch groups argue these resources disproportionately benefit other provinces and ethnic communities.

The Baloch people remain one of the poorest communities within Pakistan with some of the lowest literacy and employment rates and life expectancies.

A breakdown of victims of reported disappearances and alleged extrajudicial and unlawful killings in Balochistan is available here.