SHIKARPUR: An unnecessary delay is being resorted to in reaching killers of senior journalist Aziz Memon by not sending his DNA samples to a fully equipped lab in Islamabad or Lahore and by not collecting such samples of suspects.

This was stated by Mr Memon’s brother, Hafeezur Rehman while speaking to a nine-member delegation of Shikarpur Press Club that visited him at his residence in Mehrabpur, Naushahro Feroze district, on Monday.

The body of Mr Memon, who worked for Sindhi news channel KTN and daily newspaper Kawish, was found floating in a canal in Naushahro Feroze on Feb 16 hours after he was dropped by his colleague cameraman at some place in Mehrabpur.

Mr Rehman expressed his trust in the investigation team of the case headed by SSP Tanveer Tunio but noted with concern that his brother’s DNA samples were lying for many days with a lab in Rohri where, according to him, the required instruments and chemicals were not available.

He said he believed his brother was murdered, and claimed that certain corrupt elements linked to the drug and land mafias were involved in the criminal act as the deceased used to expose them through his reporting. He said the delay in getting DNA and other medical examinations conducted would ultimately increase the risk of available evidence getting destroyed. This would also provide the culprits a chance to escape arrest, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2020