June 3, 2024
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE
Civil society in Ghotki took to the streets on Sunday, protesting against the non-arrest of the killers of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, as well as the lack of development in the case of Jan Muhammad Mahar who was killed last year on his way to work.
The protest lasted a few hours, in which the journalist community rallied from Ghotki Press Club to the Ghotki SSP Office. A symbolic hunger strike camp has been set up in front of what is now being called the Shaheed Nasrullah Gadani Press Club.
Well known journalists from Ghotki including Asad Pitafi, Shabbir Bhatti, Jafar Sheikh and others participated in large numbers in the camp. Mai Pathani, the mother of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, also participated. She demanded that the criminals involved in the murder of her son must be arrested and an impartial judicial commission should be established for the judicial investigation of the incident.
On Monday, a hearing was held for Nasrullah Gadani in the local anti-terrorism court where the investigating officer Zulfiqar Mahar made an appearance.
“The case has been submitted to the court and further orders have been received,” detailed the officer. “We have also submitted the complete report on the case for the next hearing. It is a blind case. We are investigating the matter and trying to reach the actual accused.”
The court adjourned proceedings till June 6, and the police will submit a further report to the court by then.
Nasurullah Gadani was shot by unknown assailants on a motorbike, waiting for him to appear near Kori Goth, 12 kilometers from Mirpur Mathelo, when he was on way to the town on his own bike at around 11:00 am. The FIR was lodged a week later, while 14 days from the incident, there is no news of any suspects being taken in by the police.