Despite Pakistan’s promises, unsolved journalist murders remain persistent

Amsterdam, January 21, 2026—Despite Pakistan’s repeated promises to protect press freedom, justice for murdered journalists remains out of reach. An investigation by international press freedom organizations has uncovered new evidence in the killing of journalist Shan Dahar, exposing police misconduct, political inaction, and years of impunity.

Given the extensive evidence unearthed, and the suspected culprits still at large, Free Press Unlimited, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders call on Pakistani authorities to arrest the absconders and bring them to justice. It’s time for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s words to be matched by decisive action.

On the 2025 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, PM Sharif said that the government would take measures to ensure effective investigation, justice, and prosecution of crimes against journalists. But it’s not the first time Pakistani officials have said they would address this pervasive matter, without results.

Since 1992, not a single journalist murder case in Pakistan has been met with full justice, according to CPJ. Exemplifying Pakistan’s pervasive impunity problem is the case of Sindh province journalist Dahar, who was shot and killed on the night of January 1, 2014, in his hometown of Badah. After more than 12 years, his killers remain free. His case has been kept dormant for more than seven years, while two of the accused in the case roam freely through town, unobstructed by police.

New investigation sheds light on failures

International press freedom organizations Free Press Unlimited, CPJ, and Reporters Without Borders, unified under the A Safer World for the Truth coalition, independently investigated the murder of Dahar. Their conclusion is clear: a flawed investigation and a lack of political will mean that the murder of Dahar remains unsolved. The case of Dahar is exemplary of Pakistan’s handling of murders of journalists over past decades.

The coalition’s 18-month investigation uncovered new pieces of evidence that shed light on the motive for, and official investigation of, the murder. This includes video and photographic evidence that allowed them to retrace in detail Dahar’s movements on the night of his murder. With it, the coalition makes it clear that the authorities’ version of the murder is highly improbable.

It also includes on-the-record confirmations by police investigators that they arrested individuals solely to extort them. Two witnesses identified in the proceedings told the coalition that they were coerced into giving false information.

Authorities further ignored clear indications that Dahar could have been targeted for his work on a story regarding the illegal reselling of donated medications by local hospitals. Footage on the night of the murder shows that Dahar was filming inside the local health clinic, and outside purchasing medicines at the adjacent pharmacy, moments before he was shot. Dahar had earlier accused the in-charge of the clinic, Dr. Kandhro, of partaking in the medicine scheme. Dr. Kandhro was one of two doctors who were supposed to treat Dahar after he was shot, and who were later suspended for medical negligence leading to his death. Neither of the doctors were investigated by police authorities. 

We approached both Dr. Kandhro and the Pakistani police for comments, but neither responded to our request.

Urgent call for accountability

Aiming for justice in the case of Shan Dahar, the three organizations note that the two absconding accused must first be arrested and brought before the court.

Holding Prime Minister Sharif to his promises, the coalition urges Pakistani authorities to intensify collaboration with press freedom civil society organizations. Such collaboration, in which independent bodies monitor journalist murder cases, can mitigate a lack of capacity and increase political will to solve journalist murder cases.

Jules Swinkels, lead researcher for this investigation at Free Press Unlimited states:

At first glance, the case of Shan Dahar might seem old news. But it represents real people who have lost a colleague, a friend, a family member. We must ensure that they get the justice they deserve, and that crimes against journalists never happen again. We therefore call on Pakistani authorities to intensify their collaboration and information sharing with press freedom organizations. Only with transparent, objective monitoring we can break the ongoing cycle of impunity for crimes against journalists.

Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director at the Committee to Protect Journalists states:

Killing a journalist has become one of the safest crimes in Pakistan. The murder of Shan Dahar is emblematic of the pervasive impunity in journalist killings in Pakistan and the lack of political will to end this vicious crime. After more than 12 years, there has been no justice for Shan Dahar’s family, while Pakistan remains one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists. With the new evidence we have uncovered through this joint investigation, the Pakistani authorities must now arrest the suspects and bring them to justice. The onus is now on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to prove he meant business when he vowed to protect journalists — or that his words are just empty talk.

Célia Mercier, head of South Asia desk at Reporters Without Borders states:

Nearly 12 years after the murder of journalist Shan Dahar, his killers are still walking free, a clear example of the endemic impunity in Pakistan. A report by Freedom Network Pakistan, RSF’s partner in Pakistan, shows that in the 53 cases of journalists killed between 2012 and 2022, convictions have only been made in two instances. This is a catastrophic rate of impunity of around 96%. The joint investigation into the death of Shan Dahar lays bare these profound shortcomings. We call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to turn his promises into action: to promptly arrest and prosecute those who ordered and carried out the killing, to reopen an independent investigation, to properly enforce the 2021 law on the safety of journalists, and to cooperate with civil society so that justice is finally delivered for Shan Dahar, therefore bringing this cycle of impunity to an end.

Read the full report here.