KARACHI: The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday called for an independent investigation into the murder of Nazim Jokhiyo, an amateur video reporter based in Malir, Karachi, who posted video clips about hunting trips of Arab dignitaries from the Gulf.

Mr Jokhiyo made the clips with the aim of drawing attention towards hunting of the Asian houbara bustard, a threatened species.

Hunting of the bustard is generally banned in Pakistan, but is nonetheless permitted for wealthy dignitaries from the Gulf countries.

In a press statement, the RSF said that all those behind the reporter’s murder must be identified and brought to justice.

Nazim Jokhiyo posted video clips about hunting trips of foreign dignitaries online

“I am not scared. I am getting threats and I will not apologise,” Mr Jokhiyo said in a video posted online a few hours before his body, covered with marks of blows and torture, was found at around 2:30pm on November 3 in Malir.

Mr Jokhiyo said he was being threatened over a video clip he had posted online, showing poachers organising a hunting party for “foreign guests”. The clip ends when a man approaches the camera, threatens its owner and grabs it.

In the clip, the reporter covered the arrival of several of the “foreign guests” in Jangshahi at the invitation of Sindh Assembly member Jam Owais Gohram Jokhiyo.

After several threats, the RSF said, the provincial assembly member invited Mr Jokhiyo to his house, known as “Jam House”, to “patch up” the dispute.

Mr Jokhiyo went there shortly before noon on November 2. This was the last time people saw Mr Jokhiyo alive, the RSF said.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2021