Rana’s post-mortem report reveals multiple stab wounds to her face and stomach, as well as signs of acid burns

Location: Pakistan, Gujar Khan

Date: April 23, 2024

Women Press Freedom stands united in outrage and deep sorrow over the brutal murder of Tahira Nosheen Rana, a local journalist from Pakistan whose life was taken under horrific circumstances. Tahira’s murder not only signifies a direct attack on press freedom but also casts a grim shadow over the safety of women in Pakistan. The extreme violence she endured prior to her death is a stark reminder of the dangers women journalists face, and it underscores the urgent need for comprehensive protective measures. The details surrounding Rana’s demise reveal a distressing pattern of violence against women in the region. Despite her professional dedication, Rana was subjected to unimaginable cruelty, ultimately leading to her untimely and violent death. As we mourn Tahira Nosheen Rana’s loss, Women Press Freedom demands immediate and decisive action from the Pakistani authorities. It is imperative that the government not only brings the perpetrators to justice but also strengthens the mechanisms protecting women journalists. This includes ensuring a safe working environment, offering legal protections, and fostering societal respect that dissuades such violence.

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The body of Tahira Nosheen Rana, a print journalist from Pakpattan — a small town in Pakistan’s Punjab province, was found on March 11 near a park in the Sohawa district of Jhelum, in northern Punjab — around 400 kilometers from her hometown. The police identified her through forensic analysis, revealing horrifying details about the violence she endured before her death.

Rana's post-mortem report detailed multiple stab wounds to her face and stomach, as well as signs of acid burns. Her body was initially buried at a local graveyard as an unidentified victim, only to be exhumed later for identification once police confirmed her identity through fingerprint verification. The brutality of her murder has sent shockwaves through the community, with journalists and women's rights activists expressing deep concern over the lack of safety for women in Pakistan.

The police began their investigation following the filing of a first information report (FIR) at the Sohawa Police Station. Law enforcement agencies have yet to determine the circumstances leading up to Rana's murder, but they have contacted her family and former spouses for additional information. Her brother claimed that Rana had not been in touch with the family since 2018, following her divorce from her first husband, with whom she had a daughter. Rana remarried, but her second husband, Wasiq, was also unreachable, leading to further uncertainty in the investigation.

Reports indicate that Rana was involved in several criminal cases, including as a witness. In a video interview with another journalist, she revealed details about her tumultuous relationship with her second husband, accusing him of assault and blackmail. These allegations, along with her sudden disappearance and subsequent violent death, suggest a pattern of systemic abuse against women.

Newsroom Dawn reported the journalist claimed that “her husband had made a plan to put the blame of her death on her brother and other family members” while she also sought justice and protection from the authorities.

In another video recorded on April 9, 2023, the journalist claimed that she and her husband received life threats from her family, including her brother. Rana also spoke about property disputes with her family members.

Rana, who began working as a journalist in 2018, was associated with an Urdu-language print publication. She also met and later married her husband Wasiq — a digital journalist himself — there. The couple divorced in June 2023.

Rana is not the first woman journalist to have been murdered in Pakistan in recent years. In September 2020, Shaheena Shaheen Baloch, a journalist with PTV Bolan was brutally murdered in Turbat, Balochistan. She was allegedly shot twice to unsurvivable injuries by what the Women Press Freedom had found to be her husband.

Women Journalists Killed as Documented by Women Press Freedom

The brutal murder of journalist Tahira Nosheen Rana in Pakistan is not just a heinous crime; it is a stark reminder of the persistent and pervasive threats faced by women journalists. Rana’s murder highlights several deeply concerning issues: the extreme violence that women can be subjected to, the specific targeting of women, and the broader implications for press freedom and safety. Women Press Freedom urges Pakistani authorities to establish and enforce stronger measures to ensure the safety of women journalists. These measures should include legal reforms, protective protocols during assignments, and robust support systems for those facing threats. Additionally, there must be a concerted effort to address and dismantle the societal norms that perpetuate violence against women, particularly those in the public eye. The perpetrators of Rana’s killing must be brought to justice, and there must be a clear demonstration that such acts of violence will not be tolerated. The memory of Tahira Nosheen Rana, and the horrific manner of her death, must not be in vain but should instead reinforce our resolve to advocate for a safer, more equitable world for journalists.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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