Journalist shot dead in southern Pakistan as police suspect personal dispute

A journalist in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province was shot dead on Wednesday morning when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his car in the Mirpur Mathelo area of Ghotki district, police said.

The victim, identified as Tufail Rind, was reportedly attacked while on his way to drop his children off at school. According to a police statement, the shooting occurred on Jerwar Road near Maso Wah, where two assailants riding a motorcycle sprayed bullets at his vehicle.

“Rind died on the spot, while his children escaped unharmed,” the police said.

SSP Anwar Khateran told reporters that the killing appeared to stem from a personal dispute. He confirmed that two suspects had been arrested, while efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining accused by Wednesday night.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders and journalists across Sindh.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed deep grief over Rind’s killing, calling attacks on journalists “an assault on press freedom.”

He directed the inspector general of police to submit a detailed report and ordered the immediate arrest of all those involved. The chief minister also emphasized the need for an impartial investigation and extended condolences to Rind’s family.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also condemned the attack, describing it as a “tragic and deplorable act.” He said the Sindh government stood with the bereaved family and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

“Such incidents, which are an attack on freedom of expression, cannot be tolerated,” he added, noting that the chief minister had already sought a report from the police chief.

Provincial Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah likewise expressed sorrow over the journalist’s killing, calling Rind a “professional journalist.” He assured the family of the government’s full support, saying, “The Sindh government stands with Tufail Rind’s family in this hour of grief.”

President of the Ghotki Union of Journalists, Aamir Channa, said the district had become “a death den for journalists.” He noted that in the past two years, journalists Syed Nasrullah Gadani, Muhammad Bachal and now Tufail Rind had been killed.

Channa lamented that authorities often attribute such killings to personal disputes rather than professional work, calling it a “deeply unfortunate” trend. He urged both the Sindh and federal governments to ensure the swift arrest of those responsible for Rind’s murder.