Court rejects bail pleas of PPP MNA Khalid Lund, sons in journalist’s murder case

KARACHI: The District and Sessions Court, Ghotki on Monday rejected the bail pleas of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Khalid Lund and his sons Shahbaz Lund and Noor Muhammad Lund in the murder case of local journalist Nasrullah Gadani.

District and Sessions Judge Abdul Qudoos Memon rejected the bail applications of the PPP MNA and his sons and also overturned the Investigation Officer (IO) DSP Siraj Lashari’s recommendations that declared MNA Khalid Lund innocent and suggested withdrawal of the anti-terrorism section.

The judge termed MNA Khalid Lund as an accused in the murder case of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, and also reinstated sections of the anti-terrorism act.As per eyewitnesses and local sources, following the court’s decision, Khalid Lund and his sons reportedly fled the court premises with the assistance of their personal and police gunmen and there was no apparent effort by the Ghotki police to apprehend them.

DSP Siraj Lashari, investigation officer (IO) of the case, on August 1, 2024, declared Shahbaz and Noor Muhammad Lund as planners of the journalist’s murder and exonerated MNA Khalid Lund in his investigation report, submitted to the Ghotki SSP. He also recommended withdrawal of the anti-terrorism act sections.

The IO’s report suggested that Khalid Lund’s associates Asghar Lund and his brother Barkat Lund were directly involved in the murder, with his two sons and their manager Abdullah being the planners.It is pertinent to mention that journalist Nasrullah Gadani was attacked on May 21, 2024, in Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki and he succumbed to his injuries on May 25, 2024, in Karachi.

A murder case was filed by Pathani, Nasrullah’s mother, against unknown individuals at Mirpur Mathelo police station, and on June 26, 2024, eyewitnesses identified MNA Khalid Lund and his sons as perpetrators during the court testimony under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC).

There has been significant criticism from media and civil society regarding the Ghotki police’s handling of the case. The higher authorities of the police assigned the investigation of the case to DSP Siraj Lashari, known for his reputation to ensure a merit-based investigation.

The Ghotki police claimed solving the case, recovering a pistol, and motorbike used in the crime. The police also arrested Asghar Lund, one of the accused in the case.Journalists’ leader Naimat Khuhro described the court’s decision as a crucial step in dispensation of justice in Nasrullah Gadani’s murder case.