The government announced today the formation of a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court judge to investigate the murder of journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad.
During the protest in the early hours of Thursday, Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan announced the name of Justice Saqib Nisar of the Supreme Court to head the independent judicial commission for the investigation of the murder.

The announcement came after a 24-hour sit-in by journalists in front of the Parliament House. The protest site was visited by parliamentarians and leaders and of almost all political parties and members of the civil society including PFUJ, RIUJ, APNEC and other human rights groups, who expressed their solidarity with journalists.

Addressing the journalists at the protest, the information minister said that the government will safeguard the lives of journalists and ensure their well-being. She added that the decision to set up the commission had been made on journalists’ demands.

The protest was also attended by eminent personalities from print and electronic media. Famous anchorpersons joined the sit-in and conducted live transmission from the spot.

Senior journalist Naseem Zehra said that there was a one-point agenda of the sit-in, which was to constitute an inquiry committee under a judge of the Supreme Court. “Why the government is hesitating to hold a transparent inquiry into the torturous murder of Saleem Shehzad?” she inquired.

She said that there was a limit to everything. “We have been witnessing the murder of journalists. Now we can’t take it any more. Anyone who is involved in the murder should be held accountable,” she added.

The demonstrators decided to end the protest following the announcement.