JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 28, 2024 at 12:05 am | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD—Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken decisive action following the tragic killing of journalist Mohammed Bachal in Ghotki's Rounti area. Bachal, a reporter for Awaaz TV, was gunned down by dacoits in a region plagued by organized criminal gangs.
In response to this grave incident which marks the 9th journalist murder in Pakistan in 2024, CM Shah has directed Sindh Inspector-General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon to immediately apprehend those responsible for Bachal's murder. The Chief Minister has also ordered an escalation of the ongoing anti-dacoit operations in southern Sindh, a region long affected by criminal activities including kidnap-for-ransom.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has summoned an urgent report on the incident from Ghotki's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). Lanjar emphasized the need for advanced technical tools to trace the culprits and has called for an accelerated anti-dacoit campaign with increased police reinforcements.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the murder and called for immediate action against those responsible. PFUJ also criticized the delay and negligence of the police in handling such cases and demanded justice for Bachal and compensation for his family.
This killing marks a disturbing trend in Pakistan, where the safety of journalists continues to be a pressing concern.
May 24, 2025: Baloch journalist Latif Sajidi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in his home in Awaran, Balochistan. His family has faced similar violence before, including enforced disappearances. Media silence raises concerns over press freedom and safety.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
December 15, 2024: Journalist Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich was tragically shot dead in Rahim Yar Khan while distributing newspapers. The IFJ and PFUJ strongly condemn the killing, urging swift justice amid Pakistan's deteriorating safety for journalists.
November 22, 2024: Young journalist Jinan Hussain becomes Pakistan's 11th media casualty of 2024 in a devastating attack on a passenger convoy in Kurram district that claimed 41 lives near the Afghan border.
July 14, 2024: In Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, journalist Malik Hassan Zaib was shot and killed by motorcycle assailants. The Khyber Union of Journalists and Peshawar Press Club have condemned the attack, calling for swift justice. This marks the third journalist killing in the region within two months.
June 18, 2024: Khyber News Television correspondent Khalil Jibran was tragically shot dead in Landi Kotal, District Khyber. The journalist, who had previously received threats, was ambushed and killed while returning home. This incident highlights the growing dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan.
May 24, 2024: Journalist Nasrullah Gaddani, known for highlighting civic issues in Sindh, was fatally shot in Kori Goth. Despite facing repeated arrests and threats, he continued his courageous reporting. His death underscores the dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan and calls for stronger protection and justice.
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