At least 98 journalists have been killed in Pakistan since 1992. Justice remains elusive. 

The Center for Excellence in Journalism at IBA Karachi, in collaboration with Safe Journalism, hosted the launch of the investigative report Truth Denied: How Pakistani Authorities Built an Unsolvable Case on Wednesday, highlighting the persistent failure to bring perpetrators of journalist killings to justice in Pakistan.

The report, published under a global initiative led by Free Press Unlimited in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, traces flaws in the murder investigation of Zakir Hussain Dahar, killed in District Larkana, Sindh, on New Year’s Eve 2014. The study documents procedural gaps, omissions, and inconsistencies in the official police investigation, supporting grave allegations from the Dahar family of incompetence, complacency, and possible willful negligence.

Speaking on the panel, Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed highlighted that Pakistan has a low conviction rate of approximately 16 percent, emphasizing the need for stronger investigations to ensure justice for victims while protecting the innocent. Human rights lawyer Salahuddin Panhwar underscored challenges in pursuing cases for slain journalists, pointing to local pressures, police shortcomings, and judicial obstacles.

Director of CEJ, Shahzeb Jillani, called on journalists to stand up for their colleagues, stressing the duty of the media community to remember and defend those who lost their lives in the line of duty. IBA faculty and journalist Shahzeb Ahmed reflected on the need to update the definition of a journalist to include those reporting from remote areas, noting the importance of protection for all who transmit information.

The keynote address was delivered by Saeed Ghani, who appreciated the research behind the report and emphasized the need to identify flaws in police investigations to improve accountability.

Dr. Akbar S Zaidi, in his opening remarks, lauded the bravery and sacrifices of Pakistani journalists, noting that their contribution to society deserves recognition equal to those who serve the nation in other capacities.

The launch was attended by leading journalists from across Pakistan, legal experts, and families of high-profile slain journalists, fostering an important conversation on ending the culture of impunity and ensuring the safety of working journalists nationwide.