Police arrest ‘prime suspect’ in killing of Pakistan journalist Hasnain Shah

The police in Pakistan have arrested a “prime suspect” in connection with the killing of Pakistani journalist Hasnain Shah, the Express Tribune reported yesterday. The suspect, Amir Butt, was arrested from a car showroom in Jail Road in Lahore on January 26.

Previously, three people – described by the police as “contract killers” – were arrested in connection with the incident.

Shah, a crime reporter, was shot dead outside the Lahore Press Club on January 24. At the time, authorities had said the journalist was shot by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle. A further investigation is underway.

Several journalist groups in Pakistan subsequently held protests over Shah’s death.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned Shah’s killing, calling it “another testament to the failing law-and-order situation and the increased vulnerability of journalists”. The Committee to Protect Journalists urged authorities to “swiftly and thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Hasnain Shah and bring the perpetrators to justice”, describing the murder as an “outrageous and brazen attack on the press in Pakistan”.