A police fact-finding committee has concluded that the death of journalist Khawar Hussain, associated with Dawn News, was a case of suicide.
The high-powered committee, headed by Additional IG Azad Khan, constituted to probe the circumstances of the incident, submitted its initial report after completing an extensive investigation that combined forensic analysis, digital evidence, eyewitness accounts, and crime scene examination.
The findings appear to put to rest speculations and unanswered questions surrounding the tragic death of Hussain, whose sudden demise sent shockwaves through the journalistic fraternity across Sindh and beyond.
According to the report, CCTV footage confirmed that Hussain had driven alone from Karachi to his native town, Sanghar, on the day of the incident. His car was seen parked outside Mirchi 360 Restaurant, where he remained seated inside for over two hours. Crucially, no other individual was seen approaching his vehicle during this time.
Investigators revealed that Hussain took deliberate steps to erase his digital presence. Minutes before his death, he removed the SIM card from his Apple iPhone, deleted all stored data, and performed a complete factory reset. The committee described this action as a meticulous effort to leave behind no digital trail, further strengthening the conclusion that his death was self-inflicted.
Forensic experts confirmed that Hussain died of a single close-range gunshot wound to the head, fired from his licensed 9mm pistol. The postmortem examination revealed soot deposits and muzzle marks on the entry wound—characteristics typically associated with self-inflicted gunfire.
“The evidence leaves no room for ambiguity. This was an act of suicide,” the report noted, adding that no signs of external involvement or struggle were found at the scene. While the committee stopped short of identifying a definitive motive, it acknowledged that Hussain had been under personal strain. Sources close to the family suggested that he had been facing domestic issues, particularly a rift with his closest relative, which might have contributed to his mental distress. However, investigators clarified that determining psychological motives did not fall under the scope of the initial inquiry and may be pursued separately.
Hussain, widely respected for his incisive reporting on political developments and issues of public concern, was laid to rest in Sanghar. His funeral drew large crowds, including journalists, civil society members, government officials, and political figures.
Colleagues remembered him as a soft-spoken but fearless journalist, who carried an unwavering commitment to highlighting public grievances despite challenging circumstances. His passing has rekindled concerns about the mental health toll faced by media professionals in Pakistan, who often work in high-stress and hostile environments. Press clubs in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sanghar held condolence references in his memory, where speakers paid tribute to his professional integrity and courage.
