Journalist Khawar Hussain found shot dead in Sanghar

Khawar Hussain, a Karachi-based journalist and reporter for Dawn News channel, was found shot dead on Sunday in Sanghar, police said.

Hussain had been sitting in his car for hours outside a private hotel on Hyderabad Road in Sanghar city, according to police.

DIG Faisal Bashir said CCTV footage from outside the hotel is under review.

At one point, according to Dawn News reporter Asim Khan, Hussain was seen going into the restaurant in the CCTV footage. He asked for the washroom and then returned to his car.

Witnesses told the police that no sound of gunfire was heard. The car windows were rolled up, and no evidence was found of anyone nearby or any commotion around the vehicle.

The DIG said call data records were being retrieved and would be available within 24 hours. The body has been placed at a Hyderabad mortuary, while the post-mortem is awaited.

Sanjhay Sadhwani, a colleague of Hussain, said the journalist had been a political reporter for 10 years, having worked with Apna News and Aaj News before joining Dawn News.

The Karachi Press Club, where Hussain was an active member, has demanded an impartial investigation and announced a three-day mourning period.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network and Pakistan representative of Reporters Without Borders, said they were working to determine the motive behind the murder of journalist Khawar Hussain. He added that all aspects of the investigation must be shared to establish whether the killing was work-related.

"Sindh remains critical for safety of journalists despite having special law for protection of journalists. The commission working under this law is hoped will take the lead to get all details of this journalist’s murder."

SCPJMP seeks police report on Khawar Hussain’s death

Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners (SCPJMP) has expressed concern over the sudden death of Khawar Hussain and sought a detailed report from police.

In a letter addressed to the Sanghar Senior Superintendent of Police, the Commission directed him to submit the initial report on the incident. It also asked for details of the investigation conducted and actions taken so far.

Copies of the directive were forwarded to the SCPJMP chairperson, the focal person at Sanghar, the home department secretary, and the Sindh inspector-general of police. The letter was issued by Saeed Memon, Secretary of SCPJMP.

PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Hussain was a dutiful and responsible professional whose sudden death was a shock to the media fraternity.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon called his death an irreparable loss, while Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar sought a report from the Sanghar SSP and said Hussain’s contributions to journalism were unforgettable.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Sindh Minister Nasir Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Shazia Marri also expressed deep sorrow over his death.