Women’s Media Forum Pakistan (WMFP) expressed concerns over rising crime against women journalists in Pakistan following a murder of prominent woman journalist in Pakpattan.

An unidentified body of a woman was discovered in Lehri National Park, Pakpattan, which is 203 kilometres from the provincial capital Lahore, Punjab, by the police on March 11, which has now been confirmed to be that of Nosheen Rana, a print journalist.

According to the media, Nosheen was found in the Sohawa district of Jhelum in Punjab’s north, approximately 400 kilometres from her home in Pakpattan. She was stabbed multiple times in her face and stomach, and her face burned with acid.

The motive behind the murder is unclear, and the police are still investigating the murder. However, IFJ reviewed a video interview recorded on November 24, 2023, in which Nosheen alleged that her husband had assaulted, blackmailed, and abducted her after she filed for khula (divorce).

Nosheen accused her husband of confining her in his house in Lahore for four months; she was able to escape with her husband and moved to Islamabad for work. She also said her ex-husband had tried to attack her multiple times – all this was to acquire her property.

Women’s Media Forum, Pakistan (WMFP) strongly condemns Nosheen Rana’s murder, pressing the authorities to apprehend and punish the responsible person(s). The WMFP is also concerned about domestic abuse against women journalists in Pakistan over the years, especially fatal violence including domestic violence.

Several women journalists and media workers have fallen victim to spousal killings. In November 2019, Urooj Iqbal was fatally shot by her husband in Lahore; in September 2020, journalist Shaheena Shaheen was fatally shot by her husband in her home in Turbat, Kech in Balochistan.

It is quite concerning that crimes against women journalists are on the rise in Pakistan. Media unions and outlets should conduct frequent sessions to encourage victims to speak out about abuse, especially domestic abuse, so they can be supported and saved from fatal attacks.