Press Statement

Pakistan: Journalist shot and killed in Sindh

27 May, 2020

Zulfiqar Ali Mandrani, a senior journalist with the Sindhi newspaper Daily Koshish was shot dead by two assailants in Jacobabad on Tuesday, May 26. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) condemn the murder, which is the second in Sindh in 2020.

Police arrested two suspects in connection to Mandrani’s murder. One of the suspects, identified as Riaz Dayo, confessed to killing Mandrani as a matter of ‘honour’. The exact nature of the motive is still being investigated though Mandrani’s family have claimed the attack was related to his work.

On February 16, Aziz Memon, also associated with the Daily Kawish and Sindhi TV Channel KTN News, was found dead in an irrigation canal in southern Sindh with a wire wrapped around his neck.

The murder of Mandrani brings the total number of journalists killed in Pakistan in 2020 to three. Javed Khan, the bureau chief of the Ausaf newspaper, was shot by gunmen who opened fire on his vehicle in the Swat district in northwest of Pakistan on February 25.

PFUJ said: “The murder must be independently investigated by the police. The Sindh government must ensure an independent probe to get justice for the family of Zulfiqar Ali Mandrani.”

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger said: “The IFJ condemn the senseless murder of Zulfiqar Mandrani.  Our deepest condolences go to Zulfiqar Ali Mandrani’s family and colleagues. We urge a thorough investigation into attacks on journalists in Sindh province by its government and once again call on Imran Khan’s national government to put in place stronger measures to protect journalists and bring their killers to justice.”  

Written By

IFJ Asia-Pacific IFJ Asia-Pacific

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries.
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