Court Acquits Four Accused in Journalist Ashfaq Hussain Sial Murder Case

Muzaffargarh:A district and sessions court in Muzaffargarh has acquitted four accused in the murder case of local journalist Ashfaq Hussain Sial, who was shot dead in May 2024.

According to case details, Ashfaq Hussain Sial was targeted by unidentified motorcyclists on Thermal Power Road, Muzaffargarh, on May 15, 2024. The assailants opened fire on him, causing critical injuries. He was shifted to DHQ Hospital Muzaffargarh, where he later succumbed to his wounds.

Following the incident, a murder case was registered at Muzaffargarh City Police Station against unknown persons on the complaint of the victim’s brother. In a subsequent supplementary statement, four suspects — Samar Siyal, Ramzan, Muhammad Ali Chand, and Nasir Siyal — were nominated. The police arrested the nominated suspects and submitted a challan to the court.

After hearings extending over nearly six months, Additional District and Sessions Judge Arif Mujahid announced the verdict on Wednesday, acquitting all four accused due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The acquittal has triggered serious concern among journalist bodies, who have expressed strong reservations over the court’s decision and demanded justice for the slain journalist. Representatives of media organizations stated that they are awaiting the detailed judgment and will challenge the acquittal in the Lahore High Court.

Muzaffargarh Press Club General Secretary Farooq Sheikh termed the verdict unexpected and said the journalist was allegedly targeted for publishing news reports against relatives of the accused. He maintained that Ashfaq Hussain Sial was killed in retaliation for his professional work and vowed to pursue the case in higher courts.