On December 24, a district and sessions court in Muzaffargarh acquitted four accused in the murder case of journalist Ashfaq Ahmed Sial, following a trial that lasted about six months. The verdict was announced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Arif Mujahid.

Unidentified motorcyclists shot Sial on May 15, 2024, in Muzaffargarh city of Punjab province. He sustained critical injuries and was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he later died. A murder case was initially registered against unidentified persons on the complaint of his brother.

In a supplementary statement, four suspects — Samar Siyal, Ramzan, Muhammad Ali Chand, and Nasir Siyal — were nominated and later arrested by police. After investigation, a challan was submitted to the court, and the case proceeded through hearings for around half a year before the acquittal of all accused.

Following the verdict, journalists’ bodies expressed reservations and announced plans to challenge the decision in the High Court after reviewing the detailed judgment. Muzaffargarh Press Club General Secretary Farooq Sheikh said the decision was unexpected and stated that the journalist had been killed after reporting on matters involving relatives of the accused.