Meeting of Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists Focuses on Justice for Sukkur Cases
Karachi (August 6, 2025) – A meeting of the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners was held at the Sindh Archives under the chairmanship of Ejaz Ahmed Memon.
Attendees included Secretary Human Rights Khalid Chachar; Director General Public Relations Dr. Moizuddin Pirzada representing the Information Department; Dr. Jabbar Khattak (Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors); Mazhar Abbas (Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists); Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan representing Sindh Human Rights Commission; Qazi Asad Abid representing All Pakistan Newspapers Society; and Commission Secretary Saeed Memon.
The commission reviewed the challenges faced by journalists in Sindh, with particular attention to cases from the Sukkur Division, including Nasrullah Gadani, Jan Mohammad Mahar, and Haider Mastoi. Sukkur Police representative SP Legal Fida Hussain Solangi was summoned to brief the commission.
Regarding the case of Nasrullah Gadani, he informed that three accused individuals—Asghar Lund, Abdullah Lund, and Barkat Lund—were nominated. Of them, Asghar Lund has been arrested, Abdullah Lund is out on bail, and Barkat Lund is still at large. Three others—Khalid Lund, Shehbaz Lund, and Noor Mohammad Lund—were initially listed as accomplices but were later declared innocent by an investigative team led by SSP Tanveer Hussain Tunio, as per the Sindh High Court bench Sukkur’s directive dated May 9, 2024.
The charge sheet against Asghar Lund, Abdullah Lund, and Barkat Lund has been submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Court in Mirpur Mathelo, with a hearing scheduled for August 5, 2025.
Commission members Dr. Jabbar Khattak and Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan rejected the police report, calling it disappointing and unacceptable. They highlighted that the victim’s family continues to receive threats due to the accused’s influence and that Barkat Lund remains free. They raised serious concerns over police impartiality and claimed that obstacles are being created in the path of justice. They demanded that the Sindh High Court transfer the case to Karachi to ensure a pressure-free legal environment.
Dr. Tauseef emphasized that even if the victim’s family withdraws their complaint, the commission retains its jurisdiction. The commission expressed grave concern over police bias and directed the immediate arrest of Barkat Lund.
Furthermore, in line with the directives of Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Chairman Ejaz Ahmed Memon presented a draft of proposed amendments to the relevant law. These included:
Disciplinary powers for non-compliance with commission orders
Inclusion of two female members
Addition of a representative from AEMEND (Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors)
Extension of tenure for non-government members from one year to three years
All amendments were unanimously approved. The commission also approved the expenditure budget for the fiscal year 2024–25.
Chairman Memon informed the commission that all media houses operating in Sindh have been directed to:
Provide mandatory safety training and life insurance for journalists
Share complete journalist data with the commission to improve policy formulation
He further stated that media owners are now obligated to follow the provincial government’s minimum wage policy, as directed by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Finally, PFUJ Islamabad leaders Afzal Butt and Asif Bashir Chaudhry visited the commission secretariat and met with members. They praised the Sindh government for establishing a strong institutional framework for journalist protection and urged similar models to be implemented in other provinces of the country.
Source: CPNE/RMNP