ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday decided to constitute a three-member judicial commission to probe into the murder attempt on leading journalist Hamid Mir.
A formal request in this regard would be sent to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to nominate three members of the commission, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister House.
The government also announced a reward of Rs10 million for any information leading to the arrest of culprits.
Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid met with the senior journalist at a local hospital in Karachi where he said that federal government would extend all cooperation to Sindh's government in the probe of the incident.
Rashid further said that those trying to impose their agendas at gunpoint wont be allowed to succeed.
Mir was injured after his arrival in Karachi when unknown gunmen opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in, near Natha Khan area on Sharae Faisal road.
Doctors responsible for treating Mir reported his condition was out of danger.
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Hamid Mir in hospital |
Amir Mir, brother of Hamid and also a journalist, on Saturday accused the powerful Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of responsibility for the attack, saying the wounded television anchor had felt threatened beforehand.
Last year police defused a bomb planted under Hamid Mir's car before it could go off.
The military in a statement on Saturday described the accusations against the ISI as baseless and “condemned the incident and demanded an independent inquiry.”
Last month Raza Rumi, a prominent television anchor known for his outspoken critical views on the Taliban insurgent group, survived a similar assassination attempt in Lahore.
Rumi's driver died of the injuries he sustained.
Last month Pakistan announced it would set up a special commission to protect journalists and would include press freedom as part of peace talks with the Taliban.
Rights groups have called Pakistan one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
According to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, seven reporters lost their lives in the country last year.
Shahidullah Shahid, main spokesman for Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), denied any role in the attack on Hamid Mir despite calling him “secular and an active propagandist against Taliban after attack on Malala.” – AFP/APP