SUKKUR: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), while strongly condemning the brutal assassination of Kawish Television Network (KTN)’s bureau chief Jan Mohammad Mehar, called for an urgent probe and nabbing of his killers.

President PFUJ G. M. Jamali and Secretary General Rana Azeem demanded the Provincial Government of Sindh and its IGP to immediately arrest the killers and give compensation to the family of the killed journalist, Jan Muhammad Mehar.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “The IFJ strongly condemns this brutal and tragic killing and calls for a thorough and swift investigation to locate his killers and determine the motivation for this heinous crime.”

It may be recalled that Jan Mohammad Mehar died after sustaining multiple shots fired from close range in a targeted attack here after he left the office on Queens Road at 9pm Saturday (12th of August, 2023).

Mehar was initially taken to Civil Hospital and later to a private medical facility where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sukkur Police, that has not registered FIR yet, claim that a land dispute was the cause of murder and not his journalistic endeavors.

Police, that had cordoned off certain areas of the city, are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, the PFUJ is attempting to figure out the motive behind the killing.

PS: The IFJ’s South Asia Press Freedom Report 2022-2023, recorded at least 101 media rights violations in Pakistan. The IFJ verified cases of five journalists killed in the period 1st day of May 2022, and 31st day of April 2023. A further 30 attacks were recorded against journalists across metropolitan and rural areas.

Noted Journalist Hamid Mir took to the twitter to state: “Journalist Jan Muhammad Mehar Bureau Chief of KTN News Sukkur…assassinated by unknown killers in Sukkur. Sindh police must arrest the killers as soon as possible”.

IFJ/Newspakistan.tv