IGP told to form new team to investigate journalist’s murder

The Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners (CPJMP) has rejected the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to solve the murder case of Mirpur Mathelo journalist Nasrullah Gadani. The commission directed Sindh police chief IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon to form a new special investigation team (SIT).

The CPJMP ordered that the head of the SIT should be a DIG from a division other than Sukkur, and that the other team members should also not be from the Sukkur police. The meeting of the commission’s executive committee, chaired by Chairman Justice (retd) Nazar Akbar, included the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s Prof Dr Tauseef Ahmed Khan, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors’ Dr Jabbar Khattak, Karachi Union of Journalists President Fahim Siddiqui and senior journalist Mazhar Abbas.

During the meeting, Dr Khattak detailed the attack on Gadani and the subsequent events. The committee expressed regret that the police and administration did not take the necessary steps to save Gadani’s life after the attack.

It was also mentioned that in May last year, Gadani had been subjected to mistreatment at the hands of the district administration and had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance before being released due to the CPJMP’s intervention.

The meeting also expressed concern over the overall law and order situation in Sukkur Division, noting that the Sukkur police have failed to arrest the killers of Jan Muhammad Mehr even after more than eight months. The commission criticised the performance of the Sukkur police as “highly disappointing”.

Due to concerns over the JIT formed by the Sukkur DIG, it was pointed out that not only influential individuals but also police and administration officials in Mirpur Mathelo can affect the investigation; therefore, the investigation should be conducted outside Sukkur Division.

The commission chairman directed the IGP to keep the CPJMP updated on the progress of the investigation on a daily basis. The meeting also appreciated the performance of Rafiah Bano, the focal person in Ghotki and the deputy director of the information department, who had gathered and sent all the details to the commission after visiting the hospital.