Bahawalpur Journalist Owaisi Speaks to RMNP: Nine Wounds, Stitches Still On — Protest Postponed for Muharram
Khabrain Crime Reporter Says Hospital Issued No Proper MLC, Police Yet to Register Case Under Correct Sections; Demands Impartial Inquiry from CM Punjab
Bahawalpur, June 22, 2026 (RMNP): The peaceful demonstration planned for Monday outside the District Police Office (DPO) Bahawalpur, to demand the registration of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the case of the brutal attack on Daily Khabrain crime reporter Mian Zahid Owaisi, has been postponed out of respect for Muharram al-Haram. A new date will be announced shortly.
“Nine Wounds, Stitches Still In Place” — Owaisi Speaks to RMNP
In a telephone conversation with Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP), Owaisi — who was encircled and beaten with sticks and clubs by ten men in broad daylight in Bahawalpur — said he sustained nine separate wounds in the savage assault and that stitches from those injuries are still in place.
No Proper MLC Issued, Influential Drug Patrons Blamed for Pressure
Owaisi told RMNP that despite the severity of his injuries, the concerned Medical Officer at Bahawal Victoria Hospital has not issued a proper Medico-Legal Certificate (MLC). He directly attributed this failure to pressure from influential local individuals who, he alleged, are patrons of the drug traffickers his reporting had exposed. Without a correct MLC, the legal case against his attackers is significantly weakened, as the medical document is a critical piece of evidence in establishing the extent of injuries in a court of law.
Owaisi further alleged that police have also not registered the case under the correct legal sections, compounding his concern that the investigation is being deliberately impeded.
Two Abettors Still At Large, Police Yet to Act
Owaisi told RMNP that he had filed the case against ten individuals, two of whom are accused of abetment of the crime. As of now, police have neither arrested these two nor have the accused themselves obtained pre-arrest interim bail from a court — meaning they remain at large without having sought legal protection, yet police have taken no action against them.
Owaisi Demands Impartial Probe from CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif
Owaisi appealed directly to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to order an impartial and independent inquiry into the incident so that the true facts may come to light and justice may be delivered. He said he is determined to pursue the case to its conclusion despite the pressures he faces.
Gratitude to Khabrain Management and Bahawalpur Press Clubs
Responding to a question, Owaisi expressed his gratitude to the management of Daily Khabrain — in particular Editor-in-Chief Imtinan Shahid and the General Manager — for their support during this difficult time. He also extended special thanks to the leadership of Bahawalpur Press Club (Registered), Ittehad Press Club Bahawalpur, City Press Club Bahawalpur, and Regional Press Club Bahawalpur, all of whom stood by him and expressed solidarity in his hour of need.
Background
On June 7, 2026, Owaisi was surrounded by approximately ten armed men and beaten with sticks and clubs at a restaurant in Bahawalpur. The assault was captured on CCTV. Owaisi, who covers crime for Daily Khabrain, has attributed the attack to his investigative reporting on local drug trafficking and alleged that influential local politicians shielded the perpetrators. Police initially registered a complaint and arrested three suspects, but the journalist says the case remains incomplete due to missing ATA sections, an inadequate MLC, and the failure to arrest all accused.
RMNP has condemned the attack as a direct assault on press freedom. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is in contact with RMNP on the case and has called on the Punjab government to ensure justice and advance a dedicated legal framework for journalist protection in the province.