On December 12, Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich, a 45-year-old journalist and newsagent affiliated with Daily Khabrain, was fatally shot while distributing newspapers in Taranda Muhammad Panah in Rahim Yar Khan. 

As per media reports, police officials said the newspaper vendor was going to sell newspapers from Chani Goth to Taranda Muhammad Panah when two unknown motorcyclists opened fire and killed him. The incident occurred on the national highway within the limits of Taranda Muhammad Panah Police Station. Police officials said that the deceased was identified as Muhammad Zafar, son of Jan Muhammad. Police reached the spot and started an investigation.

A case was registered on the complaint of Naich’s cousin.

According to the police, the matter did not appear to be related to Naich’s work.

Sub-Inspector Muhammad Ismail told the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) that the investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made yet as there were no individuals nominated as the accused. 

Meanwhile, General Manager Daily Khabrain Razzaq Shaheen suspected that the murder could be related to his journalistic activities, and the organization was trying to corroborate if Naich was involved in a particular story that could help police with their investigation.

Speaking to PPF, Rahim Yar Khan Press Club President Qaiser Rasool Chaudhry said it was a targeted attack as Naich was associated with the media but that no motive behind the murder was apparent yet as the investigation is underway. The press club had condemned the incident and demanded a swift inquiry. 

The Bahawalpur Union of Journalists (BhUJ) condemned the killing. 

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also condemned the killing. CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi called on Pakistani authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.