IFJ and PFUJ condemn murder of Dawn journalist

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 6 years ago

Pakistani journalist Zafar Abbas, who had been missing since September 7, was found dead four days later in Punjab.

The International Federation of Journalists and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have condemned the killing and called on the authorities to investigate and bring the offenders to justice.

 Abbas, who worked for Dawn,  was on his way home from work late at night when he was kidnapped. A report of the kidnapping was filed to the local police station, however the police did not investigate the matter. Five days later, Abbas was found dead in a dry well at Mauza Kali Shah in Punjab.

Following a protest by PFUJ and its affiliate Vehari Union condemning authorities unwillingness to investigate, the Chief Minister of Punjab ordered an investigation. Seven suspects are under investigation, and an autopsy has been conducted according to news reports.

PFUJ President GM Jamali and Secretary-General Rana M. Azeem have demanded the Chief Minister of Punjab ensure the authorities investigate Abbas’ murder, prosecute the killers and provide financial compensation to Abbas’ family.

According to the IFJ, Abbas is the third journalist to be killed in Pakistan this year and the second journalist to be killed in Punjab. On 30 August 2019, Mirza Waseem Baig was killed in Punjab and on 30 Aril 2019, Amanullah Gharo was killed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger, said: “We condemn the murder of Zafar Abbas and the local police’s reluctance to act on Zafar Abbas’ kidnapping. After the failure of the Chief Minister of the Punjab province to take action previously, we urge the minister to personally oversee the investigation and ensure the murderers are held to account. Crimes against journalists occur regularly in Pakistan and go unpunished. We demand Pakistan’s authorities take immediate action and secure the safety of journalists.” — IFJ media release

Read Next

Why was this DawnNews TV journalist targeted in a foiled murder plot?

 October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.

CPJ calls on Pakistan to prosecute killers of journalist Imtiaz Mir

 October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.

PFUJ urges quashing of fabricated case against journalist Matiullah Jan

 October 30, 2025: The PFUJ has condemned a fabricated drug case against journalist Matiullah Jan, calling it an attempt to silence him and urging authorities to quash the charges immediately.

NewsOne TV hit by layoffs and unpaid wages, channel remains on air

 October 30, 2025: NewsOne TV remains on air but faces mass layoffs and delayed salaries, exposing Pakistan’s worsening media crisis and financial instability.

Sindh Police arrest four suspects in journalist Imtiaz Mir murder case

 October 28, 2025: Sindh Police arrested four suspects linked to a banned outfit in the murder of journalist Imtiaz Mir, who was shot in Karachi in September 2025.

Justice denied: Mother of slain journalist Arshad Sharif dies awaiting accountability

 October 26, 2025: Riffat Ara Alvi, the mother of slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, has died, ending her relentless fight for justice following his killing in Kenya in 2022.

Journalists and rights activists demand withdrawal of fabricated case against Matiullah Jan

 October 25, 2025: Veteran journalists and rights activists urge authorities to quash the fabricated drug case against Matiullah Jan, calling it an attack on media freedom.

PTV journalist faces backlash for calling late SP Adeel Akbar ‘coward and fool’

 October 24, 2025: PTV journalist Najam Wali Khan faces social media backlash after calling late SP Adeel Akbar a coward and a fool following his alleged suicide in Islamabad.