Welcome to our Gone Too Soon section, dedicated to honoring journalists who tragically lost their lives due to their work or other reasons, including terrorism incidents. This section serves as a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of truth and justice. While the list is not exhaustive and does not cover all the journalist killings in Pakistan, we are committed to continually updating it to create a comprehensive memorial.
In Gone Too Soon, you will find stories of brave individuals whose contributions to journalism were cut short by violence and extremism. By remembering their courage and dedication, we aim to highlight the risks journalists face and underscore the importance of press freedom.
June 18, 2024: Khyber News Television correspondent Khalil Jibran was tragically shot dead in Landi Kotal, District Khyber. The journalist, who had previously received threats, was ambushed and killed while returning home. This incident highlights the growing dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan.
May 24, 2024: Journalist Nasrullah Gaddani, known for highlighting civic issues in Sindh, was fatally shot in Kori Goth. Despite facing repeated arrests and threats, he continued his courageous reporting. His death underscores the dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan and calls for stronger protection and justice.
October 24, 2022: Renowned journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was tragically shot and killed in Kenya. His wife, Javeria Siddique, confirmed the devastating news on social media, urging the public to refrain from speculation. Sharif, who was well-known for his work with ARY News and received the Pride of Performance Award in 2019, had joined BOL News.
February 18, 2022: Athar Mateen, a senior producer at Samaa TV, was tragically shot dead during a robbery in North Nazimabad, Karachi. Sindh's authorities and Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the incident, calling for a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice.
November 10, 2021: Muhammad Zada Agra, a social media activist, was tragically shot dead in Sakhakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on November 8, 2021, after speaking out against corruption and drug syndicates. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemn his assassination and urge the Pakistani government to ensure journalists' safety.
December 10, 2020: Journalist Qais Javed of Ehadnama Media News was shot dead on December 7, 2020, in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The IFJ and PFUJ condemned the murder and urged an impartial investigation. Javed, 37, was targeted by unidentified shooters.
September 28, 2020: Journalist Abid Hussain Abidi of Jurm-o-Saza was shot dead in Mandi Bahaudin (Punjab) on September 25, 2020, by unidentified shooters. The IFJ and PFUJ condemned this brutal killing and called for an impartial investigation. Abidi’s murder highlighted the ongoing risks faced by media professionals in Pakistan.
September 05, 2020: Female journalist Shaheena Shaheen Baloch was murdered by unidentified men in Turbat on September 5, 2020. The Balochistan Chief Minister and journalist organizations condemned the attack, calling for justice. Shaheen, a PTV Bolan host, and women's rights advocate, suffered two bullet wounds.
May 26, 2020: Zulfiqar Ali Mandrani, a reporter for the Sindhi newspaper Daily Koshish, was fatally shot by unknown assailants in Jacobabad on May 26, 2020. His murder follows a concerning trend of violence against journalists in Sindh, prompting calls for justice and arrests by media organizations.
May 01, 2020: Sajid Hussain, a journalist from Balochistan and editor-in-chief of Balochistan Times, was found dead in a river in Uppsala, Sweden in May 2020. Hussain, who sought asylum in Sweden in 2017 due to threats in Pakistan, had been missing since March 2.
February 26, 2020: Urdu newspaper Daily Ausaf's Bureau Chief, Javed Khan, was fatally shot by unknown assailants in a tragic incident on February 25, 2020. The murder added to a concerning trend of violence against journalists in Pakistan, prompting investigations by police and international press freedom organizations.
August 31, 2019: Armed men fatally shot journalist Mirza Waseem Baig of 92 News Television outside his home in Sara-i-Alamgir, Punjab on August 30, 2019. Journalist unions demand justice amid unclear motives for the murder. The incident sparked concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists in Pakistan, prompting calls for swift action from law enforcement.
July 09, 2019: BOL News anchor Mureed Abbas was fatally shot in Karachi's Defence area over a reported monetary dispute on July 9, 2019. His wife, Zaara Abbas of Abb Takk News, revealed in a video that Abbas had invested Rs5 million in a tire business owned by Atif Zaman, who allegedly called him and then killed him. Zaman later attempted suicide.
April 30, 2019: Unidentified assailants shot and killed Amanullah Gharro in Dera Ismail Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) on April 30, 2019. He was associated with local media outlets and served as the chairman of the Parowa Press Club. Amanullah was attacked while traveling, highlighting concerns about journalist safety and the escalating incidents of targeted violence in the region.
January 18, 2018: Journalist Hayatullah Khan faced threats, and kidnappings, and was expelled from North Waziristan, yet remained steadfast in his dedication to reporting the truth. Despite the dangers, he continued his work until his brutal murder on June 16, 2006. Explore his courageous journey and the subsequent impact on his family.
January 17, 2018: Columnist Fazal Wahab was tragically murdered in Swat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in January 21, 2003 by religious extremists, incensed by his bold writings. They were particularly outraged by his book, "Mullah ka Kirdar," a compilation of articles on society and community welfare. The cover image, depicting a mullah in a turban with a crown resembling a snake, further fueled their anger.
January 16, 2018: Journalist Azmat Ali Bangash of Samaa TV and PTV was tragically killed in a twin suicide bombing while on assignment at an IDPs camp near Peshawar. His widow, Shugafta Naz, recalls the tragic day and the struggles her family has faced since his death, battling cultural taboos and lack of support. Despite his bravery and dedication, promises of aid to the family remain unfulfilled.
January 15, 2018: Journalist Esa Khankhel sent a ticker to Geo TV about a dead body found in Matta, Swat district, only to later discover the corpse was of his elder brother, Musa Khankhel. Musa, also a journalist. Musa was covering a peace rally led by a cleric when he was abducted and brutally murdered.
January 14, 2018: Saleem Tahir, a fearless local journalist, tragically lost his life on January 4, 2009 in a devastating Dera Ismail Khan bomb blast while on duty. Despite the immense loss and numerous challenges, his family remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice and support. Their journey sheds light on the severe risks and dangers that journalists in Pakistan face daily.
October 12, 2017: Journalist Haroon Khan was gunned down by unidentified assailants outside his home in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on October 12, 2017. He was returning home after prayers when two men on a motorbike attacked him. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
June 11, 2017: Bakshish Elahi, Bureau Chief of K-2 Times in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was fatally shot by unidentified shooters while on duty on June 11, 2017. Elahi was also a member of the Federal Executive Council of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ-Dastoor). The union condemned the cold-blooded murder.
February 12, 2017: Taimoor Abbas, a 22-year-old assistant cameraman with Samaa TV, was fatally shot on February 12, 2017, when unidentified gunmen attacked the channel's news-gathering van in Karachi. The assailants, opened fire on the vehicle, critically injuring Abbas with wounds to his head and chest. Despite being rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
August 28, 2014: Unidentified assailants shot dead Bureau Chief Irshad Mastoi at the Online International News Network in Quetta on August 28, 2014. The brazen attack left two dead instantly and Irshad critically injured. Despite efforts, Irshad succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. He was also the general secretary of the Balochistan Union of Journalists and an assignment editor at ARY News Television.
January 01, 2014: Shan Dhar, a correspondent for Abb Takk Television in Larkana (Sindh), was fatally shot on January 1, 2014, while returning home from work. He succumbed to injuries in hospital. The murder sparked outrage among journalists prompting demands for a thorough investigation. Known for his fearless reporting, Dhar had covered a story on fake medicines, facing threats from local criminal elements in Badah, his hometown.
October 14, 2013: Ayub Khattak, a reporter for the Karak Times, was shot dead outside his home in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, 2013. The murder is strongly believed to be linked to his investigative reporting on drug dealing.
August 23, 2013: The body of Baloch journalist Abdul Razzak Baloch, missing since March 24, 2013, is identified by his family. Found mutilated in Karachi's Mangopir area on August 23, 2013, a slip in his pocket aided identification. Razzak, a copy editor for the pro-Baloch nationalist newspaper Daily Tawar, was last seen in Lyari. His family previously accused intelligence agencies of his abduction.
February 27, 2013: Malik Mumtaz, a senior journalist with The News, Jang, and Geo TV, was gunned down near Chashma Bridge in Miranshah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on February 27, 2013. The motive remained unclear, though some of his stories focused on the anti-polio drive.
November 18, 2012: Rehmatullah Abid, a reporter with Dunya TV, was killed by unidentified shooters in Balochistan's Panjgur district on November 18, 2012. He was shot while at a shop. No group immediately claimed responsibility, and his family reported no known enmity.
May19, 2012: Abdul Razaq Gul, a journalist with Express News, was shot dead in Balochistan on May 19, 2012. Shooters on motorbikes abducted Gul, 35, as he headed home from work. Police confirmed he was shot in the head. His murder highlighted the dangers for journalists in Balochistan.