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- Hussain, a Karachi-based correspondent for Dawn News, was found dead inside his vehicle in Sanghar, with a gunshot wound to his head
- His death prompted calls from senior journalists for a thorough probe, given a history of violence against journalists in the country
KARACHI: A three-member investigation committee has concluded its investigation into the death of Pakistani journalist Khawar Hussain and declared it a “suicide,” it emerged on Friday.
The body of Hussain, a Karachi-based correspondent for Dawn News, was recovered from his car parked outside a local restaurant in Sanghar district of SIndh province on Aug. 16, with a gunshot wound to his head. Police also found a pistol clutched in Hussain’s hand.
The probe committee, led by Additional Inspector General Azad Khan, said Hussain had traveled alone to Sanghar from Karachi on Aug. 16 and did not meet anyone. The journalist also removed SIM card from his phone and reset it prior to committing suicide.
The panel said it was clear from the firearm forensic examination that the lone bullet that caused the death of the deceased had been fired from the handgun recovered from his right hand.
“The committee after a thorough probe, based on detailed visit of the crime scene, interview of the witnesses, examination of post-mortem reports, forensic reports, and analysis of CCTV footage, concludes suicide as the only probable cause of death,” the probe committee report said.
Hussain’s death had shocked the media fraternity in Pakistan and prompted calls from senior journalists for a thorough probe into it, given a history of violence against journalists in the South Asian country
As per a report released by the Pakistan-based media and development sector watchdog Freedom Network last year, 184 incidents of violence against journalists took place in Sindh between 2018 and 2023. These included the killings of 10 journalists in the province.