New Delhi: The convoy of ex-Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan came to a halt during his long march on Sunday after a woman journalist was run over by a truck carrying him among other leaders. The deceased was covering the event and was crushed under the vehicle after she fell from it. The Channel Five reporter has been identified as Sadaf Naeem.
Khan initiated a long march from Lahore to Islamabad to create pressure on the current PTI-led government into calling early elections.
The march which is expected to reach the capital city on Friday is currently on a halt and would resume from Kamoke on Monday. Before the incident took place, the march was planned to reach Gujranwala on its third day.
Khan took to Twitter to express sorrow for Naeem’s demise, terming it ‘shocking’, and that he is ”deeply saddened” by her death.
Shocked & deeply saddened by the terrible accident that led to the death of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem during our March today. I have no words to express my sorrow. My prayers & condolences go to the family at this tragic time. We have cancelled our March for today.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 30, 2022
Pak chief Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences to Naeem’s family while calling her a “dynamic and hardworking” journalist.
On the other hand, Pak’s Information Minister Maryyium Aurangzeb raised questions about the lapse in the arrangements, asking how she fell from the truck carrying many other persons.
She claimed that she personally knew the late journalist, accusing she was killed while trying to get Imran Khan’s interview.
Meanwhile, Pervez Elahi, the chief minister of the Punjab province has announced financial aid worth Rs 25 lakh to Naeem’s family.