Pakistan Court Acquits Four Accused in Journalist’s Murder, Raising Accountability Concerns

December 25, 2025 – Pakistan – 

A district and sessions court in Muzaffargarh, Punjab, has acquitted four suspects previously charged in the murder of local journalist Ashfaq Ahmed Sial, a decision that has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates and media professionals who say the verdict undermines efforts to secure justice for violence against journalists. The court’s ruling was delivered on December 25, 2025, concluding a case that began after Sial was fatally shot in a targeted attack in mid-2024.

Ashfaq Ahmed Sial, a well-known reporter in the Muzaffargarh district, was ambushed and shot by unidentified gunmen on May 15, 2024, while reporting on local crime issues. He succumbed to his injuries days later in the hospital, prompting public outcry and demands from journalist associations for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible. In the months that followed, police arrested several suspects and prosecutors filed charges alleging involvement in the killing.

During the 2025 trial, the prosecution presented evidence linking the four accused to the crime. However, the defence contested the sufficiency and credibility of the evidence, arguing that it failed to establish the defendants’ culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. In its December ruling, the court agreed with the defence, citing insufficient proof and gaps in the prosecution’s case as reasons for acquittal. Authorities have not publicly detailed specific evidentiary shortcomings, and the defence’s arguments were summarised by the court without extensive public elaboration.

The acquittal has elicited disappointment from local press organisations. The Muzaffargarh Press Club and other journalist associations condemned the decision, warning that it could embolden further attacks on media workers by reinforcing a climate of impunity. Representatives stressed that robust prosecutions are essential to deter violence against journalists and uphold the rule of law, particularly given the risks reporters face covering crime and political issues in Pakistan’s districts.

Press freedom advocates note that crimes against journalists in Pakistan frequently encounter legal and procedural challenges that hinder prosecutions, including weak evidence collection, investigative delays, and witness intimidation. These factors, they argue, contribute to low conviction rates and erode public confidence in judicial protections for journalists.

In response to the acquittal, media rights groups have called on prosecutors to appeal the verdict in a higher court and to strengthen investigative practices in cases involving attacks on journalists. They emphasise that accountability for violence against media workers is vital to safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring journalists can work without fear of retaliation or lethality.

Reference –

https://www.dawn.com/news/1963032/court-acquits-four-in-journalists-murder-case