KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the arrest of journalist Shahab Salman by Model Colony police, directing that merit, transparency and impartiality be ensured in the investigation amid strong protests from journalist bodies.
Shahab Salman was arrested after a first information report (FIR) was registered against him under Sections 34 (common intention), 324 (attempted murder) and 337A(i) (causing head injury) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complainant, who operates a cable network, alleged that he and his friends were sitting at a restaurant for tea on Wednesday night when Salman and three others allegedly pulled out a pistol and opened fire, leaving him with a bullet injury to his thigh.
The complainant further claimed that the journalist had been spreading “fake news” against him on social media for blackmailing purposes.
Taking notice of the arrest, the Sindh home minister sought a detailed report from the Korangi senior superintendent of police, according to an official statement. “Merit, transparency and impartiality should be given focus,” Lanjar said, adding that media organisations should be taken into confidence and a thorough inquiry conducted. “I assure my journalist brethren that merit and transparency will be ensured during the police investigation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Salman’s wife submitted an application to Model Colony police presenting a contrasting account of the incident. She alleged that certain elements were attempting to occupy land belonging to a bus terminal in Model Colony and that her husband had exposed the alleged land grabbing while performing his professional duties. As a result, she said, he had been threatened by the complainant.
According to her application, suspects riding four motorcycles arrived at the restaurant on Wednesday night and threatened her husband. “He took out a licensed pistol and resorted to firing in self-defence,” she stated. She further alleged that despite seeking police protection earlier, no assistance was provided, and accused the suspects of being backed by political elements. She also claimed that her husband was beaten while in police custody.
The arrest drew strong condemnation from journalist organisations. In a joint statement, the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) president and secretary termed the arrest “worrying”, saying that arresting a person who fired in self-defence instead of the attackers raised serious concerns.
The KUJ said Salman had been receiving threats for several days due to his reporting and that after the incident, he himself approached the police for help, which was allegedly refused. “Not only did the police register a case against him, effectively aiding the criminals, but they also refused to accept his wife’s application,” the statement said, demanding immediate intervention by senior police officials and a transparent investigation.
The Karachi Press Club (KPC) also strongly criticised the arrest and called for Salman’s immediate release. In a statement, KPC President Fazil Jamili, Secretary Aslam Khan and members of the executive council expressed deep concern over what they described as an attempted attack on a senior journalist and his subsequent arrest.
The KPC said Salman was a responsible and professional journalist and stressed that if a journalist is threatened or attacked, law enforcement agencies’ primary responsibility is to provide protection and proceed against the actual perpetrators. “Arresting a senior journalist on the basis of self-defence is upsetting and concerning, and the impression that the victim is being blamed instead of the attackers is extremely dangerous,” the statement added.
Along with demanding a transparent and impartial inquiry, the KPC also sought assurances that journalists would not face harassment or retaliation while carrying out their professional duties.
