Our Gone Too Soon section is dedicated to honoring journalists who tragically lost their lives due to their work or other reasons, including terrorism incidents. This section serves as a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of truth and justice. While the list is not exhaustive and does not cover all the journalist killings in Pakistan, we are committed to continually updating it to create a comprehensive memorial.
In Gone Too Soon, you will find stories of brave individuals whose contributions to journalism were cut short by violence and extremism. By remembering their courage and dedication, we aim to highlight the risks journalists face and underscore the importance of press freedom.
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.
August 28, 2024: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered immediate action following the murder of journalist Mohammed Bachal in Ghotki. The government is intensifying anti-dacoit operations.
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.
October 24, 2022: Renowned journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was tragically shot and killed in Kenya. His wife, Javeria Siddique, confirmed the devastating news on social media, urging the public to refrain from speculation. Sharif, who was well-known for his work with ARY News and received the Pride of Performance Award in 2019, had joined BOL News.
February 18, 2022: Athar Mateen, a senior producer at Samaa TV, was tragically shot dead during a robbery in North Nazimabad, Karachi. Sindh's authorities and Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident, calling for a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice.
January 24, 2022: Hasnain Shah was on his way to Lahore Press Club when pillion-riding assailants opened fire on his vehicle
November 10, 2021: Muhammad Zada Agra, a social media activist, was tragically shot dead in Sakhakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on November 8, 2021, after speaking out against corruption and drug syndicates.
October 11, 2021: Journalist Shahid Zehri of Metro 1 News was killed in a bomb blast in Balochistan’s Hub area. Authorities vow justice while the BLA claims responsibility for the attack.
August 14, 2021: Pakistani journalist Kashif Hussain was brutally murdered in Hafizabad district, sparking protests. The IFJ and PFUJ call on authorities to investigate and arrest the culprit to ensure journalistic safety in Pakistan.
December 10, 2020: Journalist Qais Javed of Ehadnama Media News was shot dead on December 7, 2020, in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The IFJ and PFUJ condemned the murder and urged an impartial investigation. Javed, 37, was targeted by unidentified shooters.
September 28, 2020: Journalist Abid Hussain Abidi of Jurm-o-Saza was shot dead in Mandi Bahaudin (Punjab) on September 25, 2020, by unidentified shooters. The IFJ and PFUJ condemned this brutal killing and called for an impartial investigation.
September 05, 2020: Female journalist Shaheena Shaheen Baloch was murdered by unidentified men in Turbat on September 5, 2020. The Balochistan Chief Minister and journalist organizations condemned the attack, calling for justice.
May 26, 2020: Zulfiqar Ali Mandrani, a reporter for the Sindhi newspaper Daily Koshish, was fatally shot by unknown assailants in Jacobabad on May 26, 2020. His murder follows a concerning trend of violence against journalists in Sindh, prompting calls for justice and arrests by media organizations.
May 01, 2020: Sajid Hussain, a journalist from Balochistan and editor-in-chief of Balochistan Times, was found dead in a river in Uppsala, Sweden in May 2020. Hussain, who sought asylum in Sweden in 2017 due to threats in Pakistan, had been missing since March 2.
February 26, 2020: Urdu newspaper Daily Ausaf's Bureau Chief, Javed Khan, was fatally shot by unknown assailants in a tragic incident on February 25, 2020. The murder added to a concerning trend of violence against journalists in Pakistan, prompting investigations by police and international press freedom organizations.