Nasrullah Gadani, a journalist for the Sindhi newspaper Awami Awaz, was critically injured in a targeted gun attack near Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district, on Tuesday. The attack, carried out by unidentified assailants, has left Gadani fighting for his life.
According to local journalists, the attack occurred around 11:00 AM near Kori Goth, approximately 12 kilometers from Mirpur Mathelo. Gadani was on his motorcycle when armed men on another motorcycle ambushed him, firing multiple shots. Gadani, known for his fearless reporting on local feudal lords, political figures, and government officials, sustained severe gunshot wounds to his abdomen and lungs.
Emergency responders rushed Gadani to Mirpur Mathelo Hospital, where he received initial treatment before being transferred to Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan for surgery. Medical sources reported that his condition remains critical, with both lungs punctured and continuous bleeding. A doctor advised that Gadani be moved via air ambulance to a major healthcare facility in Lahore or Karachi for specialised treatment.
Mirpur Mathelo SHO Sadruddin Lak stated that the police are investigating the incident from multiple angles using available technology. He assured that a manhunt for the attackers is underway and expressed confidence that they would be apprehended soon.
In response to the attack, local journalists and supporters staged a protest in Mirpur Mathelo, shutting down shops in the main bazaar to demand justice for Gadani. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters.
Official reactions
Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar condemned the attack, urging swift justice for Gadani. He directed Ghotki SSP to provide a detailed report on the incident and update him on the investigation’s progress.
Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) leaders Fahim Siddiqui and Liaquat Ali Rana, along with the organisation’s executive committee, strongly condemned the assault. They called on the Sindh Inspector General of Police to ensure the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh also condemned the attack, emphasising his party’s support for the journalist community. In a press statement, he decried the increasing violence against journalists in Sindh and pledged his party’s assistance to those affected.
Gadani’s colleagues described him as a courageous journalist dedicated to exposing the truth, often at great personal risk. Although he had no known personal enemies, his bold reporting style had angered many influential figures.