The deplorable condition of journalists in Pakistan has once again been brought to the forefront following the brutal murder of Jan Mohammad Mahar, a seasoned journalist. Mahar was a senior news reporter and the Bureau Chief at Kawish Television Network (KTN) News in Sukkur, Sindh. At approximately 9 p.m. yesterday, he left the office and was in his car when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle attacked him. The perpetrators fired multiple shots at Jan Mohammad Mahar. He was initially taken to the civil hospital and later transferred to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
According to reports, the police sealed off the area and reviewed CCTV footage from the vicinity. Local law enforcement has asserted that the killing was connected to a land dispute. However, a segment of the population has raised concerns about the police’s statement, arguing that such a hypothesis cannot be justified without a thorough investigation, especially within such a short timeframe.
Nevertheless, this incident is not an isolated one and further underscores the deteriorating situation of journalists in Pakistan. According to the ISJ South Asia Press Freedom Report 2022-23, Pakistan has witnessed 101 instances of media rights violations, resulting in the deaths of five journalists.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have strongly condemned the killing and have called for an immediate investigation, as well as compensation for the grieving family.