On February 27, Umerkot based reporter, Dawn correspondent, A.B. Arisar was injured in an attack by a group of individuals while he was gathering facts about the forced eviction of Solangi families from a disputed property, Dawn reported. As per the report, the journalist received threats and was manhandled with one of the suspects, Dilbar Bhayo, even pointing a gun at him.
Arisar registered a criminal complaint (First Information Report) against the suspects the same day under Section 324, 506(II), 504, 337-A(I), 337-F (I) and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
In the FIR, Arisar shared that he was a journalist by profession and also serves as the General Secretary of Umerkot Press Club and is a representative of a prominent newspaper. He reported that on that day he was recording a video and covering the issue of women who were affected by harassment.
During this activity, three accused persons, including Dilbar Bhayo and Ali Murad Dhal, arrived at the spot and started abusing the complainant in filthy and insulting language. Dhal angrily told the complainant, “You are a journalist, I forbid you from doing journalism,” and threatened him with dire consequences.
Arisar further stated that Bhayo fully supported Dhal, actively participating in the abuse and intimidation. The accused persons jointly extended serious threats to kill the complainant, creating fear and panic, and attempted to stop him from recording the video and performing his professional duties. Bhayo also used criminal force, pointed a pistol, insulted the complainant with the intent to provoke a breach of peace, and caused him mental distress and fear of grievous harm.
Arisar stated that despite requests and intervention, the accused continued to threaten and intimidate him. Fearing for his life and safety, he left the spot and proceeded to the Umerkot Press Club, where he narrated the entire incident to the press club president and other colleagues. The complainant requested legal action against the accused under the relevant sections of law.
According to Dawn, the suspect, Bhayo, is an employee of the Agriculture Department’s Water Management Wing, which had been the basis for the cancellation of his membership of the press club. As per the report, because of this the suspect had held a grudge against him.
Speaking to PPF, Arisar confirmed that what was reported in Dawn is true and the incident happened exactly as described. Arisar stated that a government employee in the Agriculture Department, Dilbar Bhayo and certain individuals, including a journalist, Ali Murad Dhal, had attacked him during a coverage. Following the incident, he filed an FIR, after which the alleged attackers were arrested and presented before the court. He added that during the arrest, his nephew and cousin assisted the police by holding the accused, which the accused later tried to frame the matter as a “private issue” and involved the community for whom he had been reporting, alleging that he was against them, and used social media to spread this narrative.
Arisar further stated that Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf’s MNA Laal Malik intervened, apologized to him, and also made the accused apologize to him. The matter has been settled through a compromise, said Arisar.
As per Dawn, the Senior Superintendent of Police Umerkot Uzair Ahmed Memon said that Bhayo had been arrested while they were searching for the other suspects.
