New York, December 13, 2024—Two unidentified persons shot and killed Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich, a reporter for Daily Khabrain newspaper, on Thursday, December 12, while he distributed newspapers in Rahim Yar Khan district in central-eastern Punjab province.
“Pakistani authorities must bring the perpetrators of journalist Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich’s killing to justice and implement urgent measures to curb the violence claiming the lives of journalists across the country,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi. “The press in Pakistan is under attack. Without a cohesive strategy and strong political will from both security and political leadership, there is little hope for the protection of journalists and press freedom in the country.”
Naich’s brother, Mohammad Aqil, told police that the journalist had no known personal animosities, leaving the motive behind his killing unclear, according to CPJ’s review of a copy of the First Information Report, a document that opens a police investigation.
CPJ’s text message to Pakistan Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar did not receive a reply.
This has been a deadly year for the press in Pakistan. CPJ confirmed three journalists were murdered in retaliation for their journalism and continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding five other killings, including Naich.
Journalist and police sources told CPJ that three additional Pakistani journalist killings in 2024 were preliminarily indicated to be related to personal disputes.