KARACHI: Daniel Pearl, South Asia Bureau Chief of The Wall Street Journal, was murdered on 1st of November, 2002 in Ahsanabad area of this Port City.
US Embassy in Islamabad has taken to the Twitter to hold: “We will not forget Daniel Pearl. On this day in 2002, American Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was murdered by terrorists while pursuing a story in Pakistan. Today, we remember his legacy as we continue to speak out against extremism.
“The United States is committed to securing justice for Daniel Pearl’s family and to holding those who murdered him 19 years ago accountable.”
Meanwhile, Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered shifting of Omar Shaikh, accused in his kidnapping and murder, from Death Cell to a rest house.
State Dept (South Central Asia) held: “Daniel Pearl’s life was taken 19 years ago today, and our commitment to ensuring those responsible are held accountable will never waver. We stand with his family as we honor his legacy and pursue justice for him and victims of terrorism everywhere.”
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) noted: “Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh, who was previously convicted in the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl, is set to walk free after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered his release on 28th of January. The court did not furnish a clear justification for the ruling, saying only that the reasons would be recorded later.
“The government of Pakistan appealed the Supreme Court decision on 29th of January. The appeal seeks to overturn the acquittal and reinstate Sheikh’s death penalty. Hyderabad Anti-terrorism Court found Sheikh guilty in the first instance of abducting and killing Pearl in 2002 and sentenced him to death, while other three men received life sentences.
“However, on 2nd of April, 2020, the High Court of Sindh province overturned this ruling and acquitted the four alleged perpetrators, including Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. Following public criticism of their release, the four men were rearrested a few days later. The new ruling by the Supreme Court again overturns the original sentences and allows the alleged perpetrators of the crime to be released.
“Pearl’s family said they were “shocked” by the ruling and that they have only one option left, that of filing a petition for a review of the latest ruling. Pearl, 38, was investigating Islamist militants in Karachi after the 9/11 attacks, when he was kidnapped in January 2002. He was beheaded a short time later.”
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He was a talented writer who was adept enough with the written words to make a living in the top ranks of journalism.
But it was in music that he found an essential form of expression.
A talented violinist, fiddler and mandolin player Danny kept passion for music ignited throughout his career.
During numerous postings all over the world he joined town bands, orchestras and chamber groups.
Consequently, he left behind a long trail of musician friends in cities across the world stretching from Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Atlanta, Paris, Tehran to Mumbai.
Daniel Pearl’s family chose music to celebrate the ideals of tolerance friendship and shared humanity.
They formed a foundation to further the ideals that inspired Danny’s life and work, spotlight his love of music to build bridges and create friendship.
