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Abdost Rind (1984 – 18 February 2011), a reporter in Pakistan was working for the Daily Eagle an Urdu-language newspaper in the Turbat area of Balochistan, Pakistan on February 18, when he became the second journalist killed in Balochistan in 2011.
On February 18, 2011, Abdost Rind, a part-time reporter for the Urdu-language newspaper known as the Daily Eagle, was shot four times on his way home from work in the Turbat area of Balochistan, Pakistan. The attackers were unidentified and got away on a motorcycle after Rind was shot. Rind is reported to have died immediately. Rind's family, his father, mother, and brother, believe that his murder was work related and have called for an immediate investigation.
According to the UN News Centre, Pakistan has become one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous, place for journalists to work. This announcement follows the report from
In contrast, according to the International News Safety Institute, the International Federation of Journalists reported that fifteen journalists were killed in Pakistan in 2010, out of a total of ninety-seven across the globe. Six of these deaths are reported to have taken place in Balochistan, Pakistan.
Reporters Without Borders also reported that within the thirteen months prior to March 2011, thirteen journalists had been killed in Pakistan. The first two media workers killed in Pakistan in 2011, according to Reporters Without Borders, were Salman Taseer on January 4 and Wali Khan Babar on January 13.
UNESCO has listed that the first two media workers killed in 2011 in Pakistan were Ilyas Nizzar, found on January 5, and Abdost Rind, killed on February 18. The journalists reported by Reporters Without Borders are not listed by UNESCO.
The CIA World Factbook has reported that the Pakistani government often controls and censors the media. Organizations that research censorship of Pakistan rank Pakistan in the bottom third of countries on freedom of the press Reporters Without Borders believes that reporters who report information that the Pakistani government does not agree with or want spread to the masses are often risking their lives. According to information from Reporters Without Borders, reporters in the tribal areas must contend with the Taliban and the Pakistani government. Foreign media is rarely able to make it into the country. journalist who work in Pakistan are often native to the area where they are working.
Rind's relationship with the Baloch separatist movement, is a possible reason for his murder. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, this group strives to gain regional independence from the Pakistani government. The Economic Times has stated that Robert Blake, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia believes that the Baloch separatist movement is caused by domestic issues within Pakistan. Activists and journalists associated with this movement, as reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists, are often military targets because of the effects that their political activities have on their journalism pieces.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Pakistan has been the deadliest country for journalists in 2010 and 2011.
The International Federation of Journalist said Rind was the second journalist killed in Balochistan in 2011 Ilyas Nizzaraccording to the UNESCO, was the first journalist killed in Balochistan in 2011. Nizzar's body was found in Pidarak on January 5, 2011.
Reporters Without Borders does not list Ilyas Nizzar and Abdost Rind as being the first two Pakistani journalists killed in 2011. listed as being killed in 2011.
Abdost is survived by his mother, father and older brother.
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