Senior TV journalist Athar Mateen shot dead in Karachi
PM asks authorities to track down and give exemplary punishment to killers: CM Murad condemns killing, demands report from additional IG police: Bilawal Bhutto says culprits will be arrested soon: Says nobody will be allowed to disturb peace of city
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A senior television producer Athar Mateen was shot dead in North Nazimabad area of Karachi on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Unidentified gunmen targeted Samaa TV’s senior producer Athar Mateen and sprayed his car with bullets near Haideri in North Nazimabad. He received three to four bullets on his body which caused his death.
The tragic incident happened at 8:29am when the journalist was coming back after dropping his daughters at school. On the road, he saw that two dacoits were trying to snatch a motorcycle from a citizen. A car rider hit the muggers who fell down on the road and the rider drove away. Athar Mateen too did the same and hit them. But this time round, the street criminals opened fire on the car and the journalist was hit by their bullets. In a severely injured condition, he was taken to the Saifi Hospital where he breathed his last.
Later, his body was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for the post mortem.
According to the doctor, Athar Mateen got a bullet in his chest which proved fatal and took his life.
It could be seen in the CCTV footage that one criminal was wearing helmet and the other was putting on cap. The outlaws could also be seen running along with the motorcycle.
Karachi Additional IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon informed that police were in possession of some material which might lead them to the accused.
Police said that they recovered a shell of 30-bore pistol from the crime scene and it was sent for the forensic analysis.
DIG West Nasir Aftab and the DIG CIA also visited the crime scene.
Police recorded statements of four eye witnesses and started trying to track down the accused after seeing the CCTV footage.
Slain Athar Mateen was the younger brother of anchor person Tariq Mateen. He is survived by a widow and two daughters.
After the news of his murder, a large number of people including his relatives and journalist community reached his place.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his sorrow over the sad killing of journalist Athar Mateen. He ordered the authorities to hunt the criminals and give exemplary punishment to them.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the killing of TV producer Athar Mateen. He summoned immediate report from the Additional IG Police.
He expressed his condolences with the heirs of the deceased and journalist community as well.
Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said that killers of the journalist would be arrested soon.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the murder of senior journalist Athar Mateen. He said the gruesome murder during dacoity attempt was extremely sorrowful.
He hoped that culprits involved in this killing would be caught soon, adding that nobody would be allowed to disturb the peace of the city. He vowed that the provincial government would provide protection to every citizen including journalists.
He expressed his heart-felt grievances with the family of the slain journalist.
Reporters Faisal Shakil, Samar Abbas