Dawn journalist found shot dead in Pakistan

The bullet-riddled body of Dawn News journalist Khawar Hussain was discovered inside a car on Saturday in Sanghar district, raising fresh concerns over the safety of journalists in Pakistan.

Local authorities reported that the vehicle was parked in front of a restaurant near Hussain’s ancestral home. A gunshot wound was visible on his head, and a pistol was found in his hand. His mobile phone was also recovered from the scene.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abid Baloch stated that an investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s death. “We are gathering evidence and working to establish how he died,” he told reporters.

Hussain served as the Karachi correspondent for Dawn News, one of Pakistan’s leading media outlets. Following the incident, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and to pursue all possible leads.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the incident. The PPP currently leads the provincial government in Sindh.

According to media rights group Freedom Network, Sindh recorded 184 incidents of violence against journalists between 2018 and 2023, highlighting ongoing threats to press freedom in the region.