New York, January 16, 2015–Agence France-Presse photographer Asif Hassan was shot and wounded today while covering clashes in Karachi between police and supporters of the Jamaat-e-Islami religious party who were demonstrating against the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, according to news reports. It is unclear from where the firing originated or whether he was targeted. Hassan underwent surgery to his chest, according to reports citing his doctor. A police officer and a local cameraman who was not identified in reports also suffered minor injuries.
“We call on authorities to quickly and thoroughly investigate the shooting of Agence France-Presse photographer Asif Hassan and to hold the perpetrators to account,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “Journalists in Pakistan must be able to safely cover newsworthy events.”
The shooting follows last week’s attack on the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo by armed gunmen which left 12 people dead, including eight journalists. The attack was the worst one on the media since the 2009 Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines.