Pakistan SC judges to probe shooting of Geo News editor

Three Supreme Court judges were approved Monday for the judicial commission to probe the attack on senior journalist Hamid Mir, a media report said.

Pakistan's Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani approved the names of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rahman, Dawn online reported.

Pakistan's Geo News' executive editor Hamid Mir was injured in an attack by gunmen in Karachi Saturday while on his way to his office from the airport.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Mir Monday at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi where he is undergoing treatment and was declared out of danger.

Sharif decided Sunday to constitute a three-member judicial commission to probe the attack on Mir.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon announced that the provincial government would award Rs.50 million to those who assist the police in hunting down Mir's assailants.

The Pakistani government has been asked to provide security to journalists since there have been similar attacks on journalists in the country.

The police have managed to prepare sketches of the assailants with the help of three eyewitnesses.

The attack took place when four gunmen riding on two motorcycles opened fire on Hamid Mir's car Saturday as he was on his way from the airport to his Geo News office.

Mir received two gunshots and was immediately taken to hospital in an unconscious state.

Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain condemned the attack and expressed regret at the incident.

Messages of condemnation are circulating on social media as well.

Geo News Islamabad bureau chief Rana Jawad said Hamid Mir spoke to him after being attacked and said that the gunmen were following him and continued to fire at the car.

The driver of the car said that a single attacker had opened fire and had targeted Hamid Mir, Geo News reported.