The mounting violence against journalists in Palkistan has claimed yet another victim. Local reporter Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich, pictured, was shot dead while distributing newspapers in Rahim Yar Khan, in southern Punjab. He is the eighth journalist killed in the country since January 2024.
The killing prompted a wave of condemnation from Pakistani media organisations.
Local reports say he was shot by two gunmen and died at the scene, but few details have been released.
The death follows that of Nasrullah Gadani, left, who worked for the Sindhi newspaper Awami Aghaz. He was critically injured in an ambush while riding his motorbike home near Mirpur Mathelo, and died later in hospital. He was known for bold reporting on public issues and criticism of political leaders and elected representatives in Sindh. Colleagues called him courageous, and say the attack on him was an attempt to silence the voice of the people.
Mr Gadani was the second journalist killed in just three days – the first was a young digital journalist, Kamran Dawar, right, who was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in Miranshah, the regional headquarters of North Waziristan.
The editor of Awami Aghaz, ,Jabbar Khattak, said the killings were a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in Pakistan, and the need for greater protection and support for those who dare to speak truth to power.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists noted that despite fatal attacks on media people over the years no-one had ever been arrested.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for journalists to perform their duties and those who do so are eliminated,” the union said in a statement.
Before the latest killings, journalists working in small towns and rural areas in Pakistan marked World Press Freedom Day at an award ceremony at Punjab College, AhmedpurEast. The annual event, hosted by the Rural Media Network (RMNP), was held to recognise the courage and commitment of journalists and media organisations, and to focus national and international attention on the state of media freedom in Pakistan.
The winners of the RMNP Sadiq Press Freedom Award were television journalist Muhammad Akmal Abbasi, pictured right, and local newspaper reporter Syed Owais Zaidi, left.
Mr Abbasi had been kidnapped and detained by a gang allegedly linked to big business interests, after running a story about violation of environmental laws. Mr Zaidi, a court reporter for the daily Kainat, was injured in an attack and suffered a broken leg following his reporting of a case.
The RMNP said both journalists were waiting for justice, which was apparently being denied to them because the culprits were linked to influential people. A resolution was adopted demanding the police take action.
