US Senator John Kerry said Thursday that the torture and killing of a Pakistani journalist who investigated intelligence issues marked a setback for the country's democracy and urged a thorough probe.
Kerry, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who is respected in Pakistan for his efforts to improve relations, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by Saleem Shahzad's death.
"His death is a blow to Pakistan's fragile democracy and a chilling reminder of the dangers journalists continue to face in Pakistan," Kerry said in a statement.
"I hope that the Pakistani government's investigation into his murder will be as thorough as possible to hold those responsible accountable and deter another crime against members of the press," he said.
Shahzad, a 40-year-old father of three, had said he had been threatened by Pakistan's intelligence service. He was tortured to death days after he wrote an article about links between rogue elements of the navy and Al-Qaeda.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier condemned his killing and said his "reporting on terrorism and intelligence issues in Pakistan brought to light the troubles extremism poses to Pakistan's stability." (AFP)
Kerry, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who is respected in Pakistan for his efforts to improve relations, said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" by Saleem Shahzad's death.
"His death is a blow to Pakistan's fragile democracy and a chilling reminder of the dangers journalists continue to face in Pakistan," Kerry said in a statement.
"I hope that the Pakistani government's investigation into his murder will be as thorough as possible to hold those responsible accountable and deter another crime against members of the press," he said.
Shahzad, a 40-year-old father of three, had said he had been threatened by Pakistan's intelligence service. He was tortured to death days after he wrote an article about links between rogue elements of the navy and Al-Qaeda.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier condemned his killing and said his "reporting on terrorism and intelligence issues in Pakistan brought to light the troubles extremism poses to Pakistan's stability." (AFP)