NEW DELHI: “The current heated political climate in Pakistan has created a hazardous environment for journalists who are often, unfortunately, the ones caught in the frontline,” the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has said.

Expressing concern over journalist safety in Pakistan after four journalists were injured in a suicide bomb attack aimed at Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao in the north-western district of Charsadda on April 28, IFJ President Christopher Warren “this incident highlights the dangers that face journalists in Pakistan .”

“The IFJ once again calls on the government of Pakistan to take immediate, concrete steps to provide adequate protections for journalists.

The four journalists among the 28 persons injured are: TV cameraman Arif Yousafzai, ‘Subah’ newspaper reporter Siddiqullah, Ayaz Muhammad of the Associated Press of Pakistan, and Press Information Department photographer Arshad Ali.

“There are real concerns for the safety of journalists and other media workers in Pakistan,” said Warren. The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries.