Islamabad, Jan 24 (NationPress) A recent inquiry, dubbed 'Truth Denied: The Unsolvable Case Constructed by Pakistani Authorities', has unveiled alarming deficiencies in the investigation surrounding the 2014 assassination of journalist Shan Dahar, spotlighting police misconduct, governmental inaction, and a prolonged culture of impunity.

Dahar was murdered on the evening of January 1, 2014, in Badeh, Sindh province, while he was capturing footage for a report on drug trafficking. More than a decade later, his murderers remain unidentified, exemplifying the pervasive issue of impunity in Pakistan.

This fresh investigation, conducted by international press freedom organizations including Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) as part of the 'A Safer World for the Truth' initiative, has disclosed new insights into Dahar's murder case.

The RSF remarked in a statement from November 2025, “Their findings are unequivocal: the unresolved nature of his murder is a direct result of a flawed investigation and an absence of political will... It is imperative that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif translates his assurances into meaningful action and ensures that those culpable are brought to justice.” This statement was made on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, where the PM had pledged to implement effective measures for investigating and prosecuting crimes against journalists.

According to RSF statistics, in the past decade, 35 journalists have been killed in Pakistan, with no substantial investigations launched.

The coalition's inquiry into Shan Dahar's murder indicated that the authorities' narrative surrounding the incident is highly dubious. Two witnesses named in the investigation reported being coerced into providing false testimonies.

The coalition urged that, considering Prime Minister Sharif’s commitments, authorities ought to enhance their collaboration with civil society organizations advocating for press freedom to mitigate resource deficiencies and bolster political resolve to resolve this case.

“Almost 12 years post-Dahar’s murder, his killers remain free, starkly reflecting the rampant impunity for crimes against journalists in Pakistan. The collaborative inquiry into Shan Dahar's death underscores these significant judicial failures. We implore Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to uphold his commitments: reopen an independent investigation to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for this murder without delay, rigorously enforce the 2021 Journalists' Safety Act, and work with civil society to ensure justice for Shan Dahar and eliminate this ongoing impunity,” stated Celia Mercier, head of the RSF South Asia Desk.

Beh Lih Yi, the CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director, commented that killing a journalist has become one of the most unpunished crimes in Pakistan.

“The assassination of Shan Dahar epitomizes the widespread impunity surrounding journalist killings in Pakistan and the lack of political resolve to eradicate this heinous crime. After over a decade, there has been no justice for Shan Dahar’s family, while Pakistan persists as one of the most perilous nations for journalists. With the new evidence we’ve discovered through this joint inquiry, Pakistani authorities must now detain the suspects and ensure they are held accountable. The responsibility now lies with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to demonstrate that he is serious about safeguarding journalists – or risk his promises being seen as mere rhetoric,” Beh Lih Yi added.