Takes strong notice of absence of the Sindh Police representative to brief on journalists’ cases from Sukkur Division.
The Commission expressed strong concerns over non implementation of Commission’s decisions by Sindh Police.
Karachi (May 22, 2025): A meeting of the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners was held today under the chairmanship of Aijaz Ahmed Memon at the Sindh Archives.
Participants included Director Information Majid Khan (representing the Secretary Information), Dr. Jabbar Khattak (representing the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors – CPNE), Mazhar Abbas from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan (representing Sindh Human Rights Commission), Kazi Asad Abid from the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Ubaidullah Khan from the All Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation (APNEC), Additional Secretary Asadullah Bhatti from the Law Department, Deputy Secretary Nazir Ahmed Khaskheli from the Human Rights Department, and the Commission’s Secretary Saeed Memon.
The meeting discussed challenges faced by journalists in Sindh and ways to address them, the particular focus was given to cases involving journalists Nasrullah Gadani, Jan Muhammad Mahar, Haider Mastoi from Sukkur Division, and the recent murder of Journalist Allah Dino (A.D.) Shar from Khairpur, among other agenda items.
The Commission had previously termed the Sukkur Police’s reports on the cases of Jan Muhammad Mahar and Haider Mastoi unsatisfactory. A letter was then sent to the Inspector General of Sindh Police requesting that a representative officer from Sukkur Division be nominated to brief the Commission in its next meeting. However, no representative from Sindh Police attended the meeting, which prompted serious concern from the Commission.
Emphasis was placed on the fact that all institutions, including the Sindh Police, are legally obligated to implement the Commission’s decisions. It was decided that Home Department and IG Police will be emphasised to appoint one focal person each to ensure better coordination with the Commission.
Furthermore, the Commission decided to send letters once again to all media owners, reminding them that under Article 15 of the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners Act 2021, media owners are legally bound not only for the life insurance of their journalists but also to ensure they receive safety trainings. Implementation of this law must be guaranteed to uphold the safety and protection of journalists.
The Commission members also reviewed the Annual Progress Report drafted by the Secretary of the Commission, and provided suggestions for its improvement. After the meeting, they visited the under-construction Commission Office at the Sindh Archives and expressed satisfaction over the construction efforts led by the Chairman.
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