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.
March 03, 2014: Ibrar Tanoli, General Secretary of Manshera Press Club, is critically injured and later succumbs to gunshot wounds inflicted by unidentified gunmen. Tanoli passed away at Ayub Medical College in Abbottabad. His death sparks condemnation from local journalists' unions and press club officials, demanding swift justice.
January 01, 2014: Shan Dhar, a correspondent for Abb Takk Television in Larkana (Sindh), was fatally shot on January 1, 2014, while returning home from work. He succumbed to injuries in hospital. The murder sparked outrage among journalists prompting demands for a thorough investigation. Known for his fearless reporting, Dhar had covered a story on fake medicines, facing threats from local criminal elements in Badah, his hometown.
October 14, 2013: Ayub Khattak, a reporter for the Karak Times, was shot dead outside his home in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, 2013. The murder is strongly believed to be linked to his investigative reporting on drug dealing.
August 23, 2013: The body of Baloch journalist Abdul Razzak Baloch, missing since March 24, 2013, is identified by his family. Found mutilated in Karachi's Mangopir area on August 23, 2013, a slip in his pocket aided identification. Razzak, a copy editor for the pro-Baloch nationalist newspaper Daily Tawar, was last seen in Lyari. His family previously accused intelligence agencies of his abduction.
February 27, 2013: Malik Mumtaz, a senior journalist with The News, Jang, and Geo TV, was gunned down near Chashma Bridge in Miranshah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 27, 2013. The motive remained unclear, though some of his stories focused on the anti-polio drive.
November 18, 2012: Rehmatullah Abid, a reporter with Dunya TV, was killed by unidentified shooters in Balochistan's Panjgur district on November 18, 2012. He was shot while at a shop. No group immediately claimed responsibility, and his family reported no known enmity.
May19, 2012: Abdul Razaq Gul, a journalist with Express News, was shot dead in Balochistan on May 19, 2012. Shooters on motorbikes abducted Gul, 35, as he headed home from work. Police confirmed he was shot in the head. His murder highlighted the dangers for journalists in Balochistan.
April 20, 2012: Murtaza Razvi, senior assistant editor and head of magazines at Dawn, was found murdered in Karachi on April 19. His body was discovered with torture marks in a friend's art studio, leaving the media community mourning a fearless writer and talented journalist.