Press release
Director-General condemns killing of prominent journalist Iftikhar Ahmed in Pakistan
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has condemned the killing of journalist Iftikhar Ahmed in the town of Charsadda, Pakistan, on 2 July
7 July 2022
I condemn the killing of Iftikhar Ahmed. Attacks against journalists undermine freedom of expression and freedom of information, which are essential to the achievement of the range of rights recognized by the international community. I therefore call on the authorities to spare no effort in investigating the killing of Iftikhar Ahmed.
Audrey Azoulay
Director-General of UNESCO
Ahmed was a prominent journalist for the national Urdu-language Daily Express newspaper and the Express Newstelevision channel. Unidentified assailants shot him while he was headed from prayer at a mosque to his place of work.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
See also: UNESCO observatory of killed journalists
Media contact: Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi
