Case Update Status

Bail initially granted (June 18); later reportedly canceled; case transferred to ATC; re-arrest efforts ongoing.

Summary of Case

On June 17, 2025, in Tehsil Headquarter Kotri, District Jamshoro, Neo News reporter Muqaddar Baloch was named in the FIR for allegedly misbehaving and asking bribes from the Medical Superintendent of Bilawal Medical College and Hospital Kotri, Barkat Zardari, in retaliation for exposing the lack of basic and medical facilities to the patients. Neo News suggested that a local journalist was arrested by Kotri police and later released on bail after being accused of bribery by the Medical Superintendent of Bilawal Medical College and Hospital, Kotri. The report says that the journalist had recently aired a report highlighting the lack of facilities at the hospital, which apparently didn't sit well with the MS, Dr. Barkat Zardari. The MS filed a complaint alleging bribery, leading to the journalist's arrest. However, after being presented before the court, the judge granted bail on a surety bond of Rs. 20,000. As per the report, the journalist maintained that the arrest was an attempt to silence them for reporting on the hospital's issues. The report is available and saved on the server. Link not available. FIR# 294/ 25 was lodged against Muqaddar Baloch on the complaint of Barkat Ali Zardari at Kotri Police Station. The FIR was registered under sections 384 and 385 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertain to extortion and conspiracy to extort. The base of the FIR is not readable. Copy is attached. Muqaddar Baloch, a reporter for New News from District Jamshoro, shared his experience with PPF regarding the FIR filed against him and the challenges he faced after reporting on certain issues. Baloch stated that he gathered information about the lack of basic facilities and medical services at the Bilawal Medical College and District Headquarters Hospital. Despite having a budget of 160 million rupees, the hospital lacked essential medicines, clean drinking water, and electricity. Patients were forced to buy medicines from outside and fetch water from hand pumps. After preparing a news package and taking statements from patients and locals, Baloch's report was aired on June 11 on Neo News. Following the news, the Director-General of Health, Waqar Memon, issued a letter assuring an inquiry into the matter, establishing an inquiry committee which he sent to Muqaddar on WhatsApp. However, instead of an inquiry, Medical Superintendent, Barakat Zardari, filed an FIR against Baloch on June 17, alleging that he demanded a bribe of 20,000 rupees and misbehaved with Zardari during an interview and reporting. Baloch was arrested on the same night after the police raided his home and presented him before the magistrates the next morning. Baloch said that he was granted bail within 14 hours of arrest on a surety bond of 20,000 rupees. However, his bail was recently canceled without any reason, and the police are trying to re-arrest him. Baloch expressed gratitude for the support from New News and highlighted the challenges he faced in pursuing the story. Baloch said that with the help of the Neo New team Karachi, he approached the Deputy Director of Health Karachi, but received no response from the office. According to the package covered by Muqaddar Baloch Bilawal Medical College Hospital Kotri faces significant challenges in providing basic facilities, including clean drinking water, laboratory testing, and reliable electricity. Patients are forced to buy essential medicines from outside due to shortages, and the hospital's administration is criticized for being unresponsive to patients' needs. The situation is dire for patients from remote areas, who rely on the hospital for medical care. The story is available and saved on the server. Link is no available. As per the letter issued by the Directorate General Health Services, Hyderabad Sindh, on June 12, the office had taken serious notice of a news report circulating in the electronic media regarding the alleged lack of facilities provided to poor patients at Bilawal Medical College Hospital, Jamshoro. In response, an Enquiry Committee had been constituted to investigate the matter. The committee, comprising Dr. Aftab Ahmed Kazi, Dr. Zahida Bhurgari, and Dr. Zubairuddin Qureshi, had been tasked with submitting a report within three working days. A copy of the letter is available and saved on the server. On June 25, a complaint was filed by the Human Resource Department of Neo News to the Secretary Health Department of Sindh against the Medical Superintendent of Bilawal Medical College and Hospital Kotri, Barkat Ali Zardari, alleging that he registered a false First Information Report against Muqaddar Baloch, a journalist and representative of Neo News. It was stated in the complaint that the FIR was reportedly filed in response to news reports published on June 4 and 11, 2025, highlighting patient care issues and negligence at the hospital. The complaint further stated that the news reports prompted the Director General of Health Services, Hyderabad, to form a three-member inquiry committee. However, instead of awaiting the committee's report, Barkat Zardari allegedly filed the FIR against the journalist. The complainant has requested a fair and transparent investigation into the matter, questioning the motives behind the FIR and the hospital administration's action. A copy of the complaint is attached An order was passed by the court of Civil Judge & Judicial Magistrate of Jamshoro in crime # 294/25 on June 18, 2025, granting bail to Muqaddar Ali Baloch, who was accused in a case registered under sections 384 and 385 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at Kotri Police Station. The accused was produced before the court by the investigation officer (IO) with a request for a 14-day physical custody remand. After hearing the IO and perusing the record, the court observed that the offenses mentioned in the FIR are bailable in nature. Consequently, the court granted bail to the accused subject to furnishing a solvent surety of Rs. 20,000. The surety was furnished and accepted by the court, and the IO was directed to release the accused forthwith if not required in any other case. The order is attached. Another order was passed on June 23 by the Court of Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate of Jamshoro Consumer Protection Court, which allowed the application filed by the SHO of Police Station Kotri to return the FIR in Crime No. 294 of 2025. As per the order, the FIR was registered under sections 384 and 385 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and the SHO requested that it be returned to place it before the Anti-Terrorism Court, Hyderabad. The order provided that the SHO argued that the accused had obtained "Bhatta" and demanded further amounts from the complainant, and that the accused was habitual in committing such crimes. The SHO also mentioned that the accused was involved in previous FIRs and that the offenses under sections 384 and 385 PPC were scheduled offenses that could not be tried by ordinary courts. The ADPP for the state supported the SHO's arguments. However, the advocate for the accused opposed the application, arguing that the FIR was registered under the influence of the complainant and that an inquiry had already been initiated against the complainant. The court amicably allowed the application, directing the office to return the original FIRs and relevant papers to the SHO under a proper acknowledgment receipt. A copy of the order is attached. Director and Associate Professor, Center for Rural Development Communication, University of Sindh, Jamshoro & former fellow PPF, Rashid Ali Khuhro, stated to PPF that Muqaddar Baloch was involved in two notable cases. According to Khuhro, the first case related to a rape incident that occurred a few months ago, where the Baloch allegedly collaborated with the police to cover up the matter for the accused. When the case gained attention on social media, Baloch was named in the FIR. Khuhro further stated that recently, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of the district headquarters hospital, Kotri, had filed a case against Baloch, alleging that he demanded a bribe of twenty thousand rupees. Baloch had been reporting on the hospital's facilities and issues, and the MS claimed that the bribe demand was made during this time. Following the FIR, Baloch was arrested but later granted bail. Khuhro added that Baloch worked with web channels, creating news reports, and didn't seem to be affiliated with any traditional news outlet. He reportedly gained popularity by filing complaints against the departments, which led to some financial benefits. However, Khuhro noted that Baloch’s reputation appeared to be unfavorable among the public, journalists, and institutes as he had never been a member of any press club. Speaking to PPF on June 25, Neo News Bureau Chief and President PFUJ working wing Kori Jamshoro Nasir Sheikh discussed the matter with PPF, saying that the journalist was arrested after reporting on health issues and lack of facilities at a local hospital. Sheikh claimed that the arrest was a retaliatory measure, and the journalist's social media posts were targeted. The journalist was granted bail after being presented before the Magistrate Court, which acknowledged that reporting is a fundamental right. However, the status of the case remains unclear. Sheikh emphasized that in smaller towns like Jamshoro, journalists often face threats and intimidation, and the lack of law and order enables such incidents. He also highlighted the importance of social media for journalists, as it allows them to reach a wider audience and gain recognition. Sheikh concluded by calling on the provincial assembly to take action to protect journalists from threats and ensure their safety. The President of Kotri Press Club, Dhani Bux Bari, speaking to PPF, expressed strong condemnation over the FIR filed against Muqaddar Baloch. Despite Baloch not being a registered member of the press club, Bari emphasized that the action taken against him appears to be a clear case of retaliation for his reporting. Bari further elaborated that such matters should ideally be addressed through open dialogue and discussion rather than resorting to legal measures like FIRs. He stressed the importance of fostering a collaborative environment where issues can be resolved amicably without undermining the freedom of the press. The Kotri Press Club stands firmly in solidarity with fellow journalists, reaffirming its commitment to protecting press freedom and promoting responsible journalism. By distancing itself from actions that could potentially stifle journalistic expression, the club underscores the need for a balanced approach in handling grievances related to journalistic work, Bari added. Speaking to PPF on June 25, Neo News Bureau Chief and President PFUJ working wing Kori Jamshoro Nasir Sheikh discussed the matter with PPF, saying that the journalist was arrested after reporting on health issues and lack of facilities at a local hospital. Sheikh claimed that the arrest was a retaliatory measure, and the journalist's social media posts were targeted. The journalist was granted bail after being presented before the Magistrate Court, which acknowledged that reporting is a fundamental right. However, the status of the case remains unclear. Sheikh emphasized that in smaller towns like Jamshoro, journalists often face threats and intimidation, and the lack of law and order enables such incidents. He also highlighted the importance of social media for journalists, as it allows them to reach a wider audience and gain recognition. Sheikh concluded by calling on the provincial assembly to take action to protect journalists from threats and ensure their safety.

Category of Incident

Arrest; Case Registered

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: N/A

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: N/A

Reported By

PPF Safety Monitors

Date of incident

17

Month

June

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Muqaddar Baloch

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Neo News

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Dr. Barkat Ali Zardari, Medical Superintendent, Bilawal Medical College & Hospital.

City

Jamshoro

Province

Sindh

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: N/A

Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A

Date of compensation paid by government: N/A

Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date compensation paid by others: N/A

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: Yes

Date of FIR:

FIR Details: 294/2025

Police station of FIR: PS Kotri

Name of complainant: Barkat Ali Zardari

Name of accused in FIR: Muqaddar Baloch

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Under investigation

Court where case was presented: Magistrate's Court, Jamshoro

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: FIR under sections 384, 385 PPC; arrest; bail granted; FIR later transferred to Anti-Terrorism Court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Speaking to PPF on June 25, Neo News Bureau Chief and President PFUJ working wing Kori Jamshoro Nasir Sheikh discussed the matter with PPF, saying that the journalist was arrested after reporting on health issues and lack of facilities at a local hospital. Sheikh claimed that the arrest was a retaliatory measure, and the journalist's social media posts were targeted.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: The President of Kotri Press Club, Dhani Bux Bari, speaking to PPF, expressed strong condemnation over the FIR filed against Muqaddar Baloch. Despite Baloch not being a registered member of the press club, Bari emphasized that the action taken against him appears to be a clear case of retaliation for his reporting. Bari further elaborated that such matters should ideally be addressed through open dialogue and discussion rather than resorting to legal measures like FIRs. He stressed the importance of fostering a collaborative environment where issues can be resolved amicably without undermining the freedom of the press. The Kotri Press Club stands firmly in solidarity with fellow journalists, reaffirming its commitment to protecting press freedom and promoting responsible journalism. By distancing itself from actions that could potentially stifle journalistic expression, the club underscores the need for a balanced approach in handling grievances related to journalistic work, Bari added.

Press club 2: No version was recorded

Press club 3: No version was recorded