Punjab journalist shot and killed by motorcycle attackers

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 December 2024 |  IFJ Media Release

RAHIM YAR KHAN—Journalist Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich was shot dead on December 12 by two assailants while distributing local newspapers in Rahim Yar Khan.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in strongly condemning the murder and urging a swift investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice amid a deteriorating safety situation for journalists in the country.

According to a relative, Hussain had left Naich in a vehicle to deliver newspapers at the Aligarh High School in Ma’az Town around 7:00 am. The two attackers fired multiple rounds at the journalist before fleeing the scene. Naich sustained six bullet wounds and died at the scene.

Taranda Muhammad Panah Police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the assailants under Section 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The motive behind the murder remains unknown.

IFJ monitoring reports Pakistan as the highest-ranked country for journalist killings in South Asia during 2024, with the latest killing taking the grim tally to eight. On November 20, journalist and general secretary of the Parachinar Press Club, Janan Hussain, was among 42 people killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on civilian vehicles in the Ochut area of northern Pakistan.

Pakistan’s ongoing political tensions and Pakistan-Tareef-Insaf (PTI) protests continue to threaten the safety of media professionals and jeopardize the livelihood of press freedoms within the nation.

The PFUJ said: “We strongly condemn the killing of yet another journalist Malik Zafar Naich in Taranda Muhammad Panah, a suburb of Rahim Yar Khan, and demand the authorities to arrest the culprits and give justice to the family.”

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “The tally of journalist killings in Pakistan in 2024 continue to mount. We call for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Malik Zafar Naich. Amid rising violence in the country, journalists and media workers must remain vigilant to stay safe and report responsibly. These are dangerous times for all journalists in the country right now.”