MORE than three months have passed and yet the authorities are nowhere close to solving the Aug 13 murder of journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar in Sukkur. The senior journalist, associated with a Sindhi-language newspaper and its TV channel, was ambushed in his car and shot multiple times. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his wounds during surgery. A JIT was formed on Aug 16 to investigate the murder. Another team, to ascertain whether medical negligence led to Mahar’s death, was also formed. It is believed the JITs never even convened. Meanwhile, the police appear to have initially been in a hurry to wrap up the investigation. Within a few hours, investigators narrowed down personal enmity as the motive over anything to do with his journalism. Several suspects have since been arrested, but the prime suspect remains at large. On Tuesday, police claimed to have caught the suspected killer’s son after a fierce gunbattle.

Mahar’s case is playing out in a fashion all too familiar to those in the field. In at least 97 instances of journalists being murdered over the last 30 years, killers have enjoyed complete impunity in 98pc of the cases. The state needs to put an end to this disturbing pattern of violence against journalists. It is incumbent upon the government to actively pursue Mahar’s case, setting a precedent for zero tolerance towards violence against media personnel. Strengthening legal protections, ensuring swift and fair trials, and providing security to those under threat are imperative steps. Moreover, the state must foster a culture of respect for the press. Journalists should be seen as partners in nation-building, not adversaries. Creating an environment where journalists can report without fear is crucial. Mahar’s unresolved murder is a litmus test for Pakistan’s commitment to justice and press freedom. The state must rise to this challenge, for the sake of its journalists and the democratic values they defend.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2023