Press release

Director-General calls for justice following killing of journalist Muhammad Zada Agra in Pakistan

UNESCO observatory of killed journalists

2021/123

22 November 2021

Last update:20 April 2023

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing of online journalist Muhammad Zada Agra in Sakhakot, in Pakistan’s District of Malakand, on 8 November.

I condemn the murder of Muhammad Zada Agra. I call on the authorities to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of this crime to justice in order to deter other criminals from using violence to silence journalists and keep information from the public.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

Muhammad Zada Agra, who reported on politics, corruption and criminal groups in his Citizen Journalist PK YouTube and Facebook channels, was shot dead by unknown assailants near his home. He is the fourth journalist killed in Pakistan this year.

UNESCO promotes the through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably in the framework of the on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.