The family of journalist Zakir Hussain, also known as Shan Dahar, along with media rights representatives, has urged for a new investigation into his decade-old unsolved murder. At a press conference in Karachi, Zakir’s sister and activists accused the police of aiding the suspects by granting them bail and orchestrating a misleading arrest for publicity.
They highlighted the police’s release of a suspect despite court orders, indicating possible collusion and a setback to justice. Zakir, a bureau chief for a news channel, was fatally shot in Larkana in 2014 while on duty. The family demands a fresh probe by a senior officer, accountability for negligent officials, and safety for the victim’s family.
International press freedom organizations have also called for the arrest and prosecution of the attackers. They criticized the investigation into Zakir’s murder, citing a lack of political will and new evidence suggesting a flawed probe. Witnesses claimed coercion to provide false information, hinting at a potential motive related to Zakir’s reporting on the illegal resale of donated medicines.
