Family of Daniel Pearl files appeal to uphold convictions in 2002 murder

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 5 years ago

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The parents of murdered Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl on Saturday filed an appeal to the Pakistani Supreme Court to reverse the April 2 decision of the Sindh High Court that overturned convictions of four men in Pearl’s 2002 kidnapping and murder case, according to copies of court documents posted online.

In response, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

“The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly supports the Pearl family’s pursuit of justice in the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl in Karachi,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator.

“The release of Omar Saeed Sheikh and his accomplices would only add to the threats facing journalists in Pakistan and deepen Pakistan’s reputation as a haven for terrorists.”

Two days after the Sindh High Court overturned the four men’s convictions, including that of Omar Saeed Sheikh, the mastermind of the kidnapping, police re-arrested the four men and said they would hold them for three months, according to news reports.

As CPJ documented at the time, the Sindh court ruled that Sheikh was guilty of a lesser charge of abducting Pearl, but not of the more severe charge of kidnapping for ransom. The sentence for that lesser crime, seven years, would likely lead to Sheikh’s release from prison based on time served, according to the reports.

Sindh prosecutors filed an appeal to the Supreme Court against the Sindh High Court decision on April 22, and on April 28, asking for an early hearing, according to news reports.—A CPJ statement/Photo: Reuters

Explore Further

Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi bids farewell after long health battle

 November 08, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi passes away in Shorkot after a long illness. Friends remember his humor, humility, and lifelong dedication to journalism.

JournalismPakistan.com launches dedicated Middle East section to deepen regional media coverage

 November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JP’s editorial SOPs—verification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage review—placed between Asia and World on the Home Page.

Russia slams Pakistan’s Frontier Post for ‘Western bias’; newspaper hits back

 November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistan’s Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.

Javed Chaudhry signs off from Express News after 18 years on ‘Kal Tak’

 November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.

Why only Nukta, Mr. Minister? Media workers question government's selective support

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.

Information Minister Tarar announces jobs for all 37 laid-off Nukta employees

 November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.

Faisal Chaudhry’s viral one-liner on G for Gharidah steals the show

 November 05, 2025: PTI’s Faisal Chaudhry’s witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTV’s “G for Gharidah” goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.

A digital dream falters: Nukta cuts 37 jobs in Pakistan after only one year

 November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.