Sadaf Naeem, a journalist working for a private news channel, was crushed to death under a PTI container on Sunday while her long march was going from GT Road Lahore to Kamuke.
After the incident, PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced to stop the march for the day and said that it will continue tomorrow as well.
Addressing the participants, Khan said that the march was to proceed to Kumoke, Gujranwala today. “However, due to the unfortunate incident, we will call off the march immediately.”
Khan also condoled with the family of the deceased and said that he would pray for the soul of the deceased.
چیئرمین عمران خان کی خاتون صحافی کیساتھ حادثے پر اظہار تعزیت اور آج کے دن کے لیے لانگ مارچ کو فوری طور پر روک دیا گیا۔
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 30, 2022
#حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/6F5ovNM6XZ
After the incident, the march was stopped at GT Road and Imran Khan came out of the container.
According to rescue officials, the reporter slipped and fell under Khan’s container while she was going down the one she was standing on.
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
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the incident on Twitter and expressed his condolences to the journalist’s family.
“Deeply saddened by the death of reporter Sadaf Naeem after falling from the container of the Long March, cannot feel more saddened by this tragic incident. Heartfelt condolences to the family. Sadaf Naeem was a dynamic and hardworking reporter. Our condolences to the family. Pray for.” Slain,” he tweeted.
رپورٹر صدف نعیم کی لانگ مارچ کنٹینر سے گرنے سے ہلاکت پر شدید دکھ ہے۔ اندوہناک واقعے پر جتنا افسوس کیاجائے، کم ہے۔ اہل خانہ سے دلی تعزیت کرتے ہیں۔ صدف نعیم ایک متحرک اور محنتی رپورٹر تھیں۔ مرحومہ کی مغفرت اہل خانہ کے لئے صبر جمیل کی دعا کرتے ہیں۔
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2022
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also condemned the incident and prayed for Sadaf and his family.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of precious life of a TV reporter Sadaf in the line of duty. My prayers to the bereaved family,” he wrote in his tweet, praying for eternal peace for the deceased.
I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of a precious life of a TV reporter Sadaf in the line of duty. My prayers for the bereaved family. May she rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 30, 2022
President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi also expressed his condolences to the reporter’s family.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا خاتون صحافی صدف نعیم کے جان بحق ہونے پر اظہارِ افسوس
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 30, 2022
صدر مملکت کی مرحومہ کیلئے دعائے مغفرت، بلندی درجات کی دعا
صدر مملکت کا اہل خانہ سے اظہارِ ہمدردی، صبر جمیل کی دعا
دکھ کی اِس گھڑی میں ہمدردیاں اہل خانہ کے ساتھ ہیں، صدر مملکت
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Sadaf’s family while expressing regret over the incident.
PTI leaders and former ministers Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry expressed grief over the incident on Twitter.
“I have rarely seen journalists as brave and hardworking as Sadaf. A brave girl. Her eyes lit up when I introduced her to Imran Khan as the most brave and hardworking reporter. Who knew the meeting would be the last.” May God have mercy on him,” Fawad wrote in his tweet.
صدف سے زیادہ جرآت مند اور محنتی رپورٹر بہت کم دیکھے، ایک جی دار لڑکی، کل ہی عمران خان سے انٹرویو کے بعد صدف کا لاہور کی سب سے جی دار اور محنتی رپورٹر کے طور پر تعارف کروایا تو اس کی آنکھیں چمک اٹھیں کیا معلوم تھا یہ ملاقات آخری ہو گی، خدا فریق رحمت کرے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 30, 2022
آج کے افسوسناک حادثے کے بعد فوری طور پر مارچ کو روک دیا گیا ہے. انشاءاللہ کل کامونکی سے دوبارہ آغاز ہو گا #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 30, 2022
