JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 24, 2024 at 04:31 pm | JP Staff Reporter
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—The police claim to have resolved the mystery surrounding the murder of journalist Malik Hassan Zeb, who was gunned down in broad daylight in Akbarpura Bazaar in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 14.
According to The News, the District Police Officer (DPO) Azhar Khan stated that unidentified armed motorcyclists had shot dead Malik Hassan Zeb, a reporter for Daily Aaj.
"As the journalist, along with his brother Anwar Zeb, reached their shop in Akbarpura Bazaar, unidentified masked bike riders opened indiscriminate fire on Malik Hassan Zeb," said Azhar Khan. "He sustained multiple bullet injuries and died on the way to the hospital."
The provincial government and Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan took notice of the case, which was investigated using modern techniques to apprehend the killers, according to Khan.
Three investigation teams were constituted to probe the incident from various angles, including the journalist's domestic and business affairs, and the possibility of terrorism. The teams were led by Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Alamzeb Khan, with Deputy Superintendent of Police Pabbi Circle Jawad Khan and Akbarpura Police Station House Officer Niaz Muhammad as members.
The police collected evidence, including ten empty shells from the crime scene, CCTV footage, geo-fencing data, and mobile data of the slain journalist, and sent them for forensic testing.
DPO Azhar Khan revealed that the slain journalist had strained relations with the brothers of his first wife and had a dispute over money for a plot with Muhammad Ashfaq.
The investigation team arrested Muhammad Ashfaq and his son Yasir, who divulged the details of the crime. Ashfaq told the police that he had purchased a plot of land from Hassan Zeb and still owed some payment. He alleged that Hassan Zeb first beat him up and then detained him at the hujra of Lal Sher in Peshawar for a few days.
Ashfaq's son Muhammad Zohaib, a clerk at an academy in Risalpur, was also allegedly beaten and taken to Lal Sher's residence. The father and son were released after property dealer Naeem intervened. Ashfaq accused the slain journalist of violating the sanctity of chadar and chaardiwari (privacy).
Anwar Zeb, the brother of the slain journalist, nominated Muhammad Ashfaq, his son Muhammad Zohaib, and an unidentified person for the murder in the court of Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate-I, Liaqat Khan Mohmand. SP (Investigation) Alamzeb Khan stated that raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused nominated in the murder.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.