Core Committee
Adil Jawad
- (Co-founder / Head of Investigations)
Adil Jawad is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in investigative journalism. Holding a Master’s degree in Political Science from Karachi University, he has worked at the Express Media Group and the Associated Press (AP), reporting hundreds of investigative stories and providing coverage of high-profile crime, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Adil was one of the lead investigators and co-authors of a comprehensive investigative report on the 2007 murder of Pakistani journalist Zubair Mujahid, published in 2021 by “A Safer World for the Truth”—a coalition of leading international journalist rights organizations.
Mehmal Sarfraz
- (Co-founder / Head of Advocacy)
Mehmal Sarfraz has worked in the media since 2005. She is an analyst on Geo News’ program, Report Card. Mehmal is co-founder of The Current, a digital news and lifestyle platform. She was Pakistan Correspondent of The Hindu (India). She has also worked as a senior Content Producer at Neo TV and was head of Neo’s 2018 Elections Transmission. Previously, she has worked as the Op-Ed Editor of Daily Times.
Jos Bartman
Jos Bartman is research coordinator at Free Press Unlimited, where he investigates cold cases of journalist murders. He specializes in patterns of impunity and has contributed to the-invigoration of cold cases of journalist murders in a range of countries. He also holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Amsterdam. In his dissertation, he looked at why and how subnational political elites repress journalists and other communicators.
Aman Aftab
- (Co-founder / Head of Legal)
Aman is an accomplished litigation lawyer with over seven years of extensive experience, representing clients before the District and High Courts of Pakistan. As an Associate Partner at MCA Law Associates, he leads a diverse litigation portfolio encompassing criminal, civil, and commercial matters. Renowned for his involvement in landmark cases, Aman combines his expertise with a strong commitment to social justice through dedicated pro bono work.
Yumna Fatima.
- (Project consultant)
Yumna Fatima is a political science lecturer at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. She is currently completing a PhD in International Relations from American University, Washington DC, with a specialization in political violence and terrorism. She was previously a city editor at The Express Tribune.
Lobbying and Advocacy
Through lobbying and advocacy, we engage with federal and provincial lawmakers and investigative authorities to formalise a working relationship between them and our team, including our Roster of Experts, who leverage years of expertise in fields such as criminal investigation, medico-legal procedures, law and digital rights to assist in case analysis. The aim here is to lobby for new and amended legislation that would enhance efforts to effectively prosecute and convict perpetrators of journalist murders, as well as to collaborate with investigative agencies to improve their procedures.
Independent Investigations
At the same time, our team carries out our own investigations of journalist murders as they occur, focusing on those where the murder appears to be motivated by the slain journalist’s work. With on-ground fact finding and input from our Roster of Experts, we bring investigative misconduct and mistakes to the attention of the authorities. Our reporting also helps us identify patterns in journalist murders in Pakistan, as well as gaps in investigations. Consequently, we work with authorities to pinpoint the most effective interventions to reduce impunity.
Coalition Building
Our coalition of legal and media experts, journalist unions, human rights organisations and international NGOs also makes use of our work to raise awareness about impunity in journalist murders in the country. In collaboration with our affiliates, we are able to offer training and guidance to both police investigators and journalists who are under threat, as well as to refine proposed interventions and strategies to address impunity.
Our Strategy
Safe Journalism has a four-pronged strategy for our efforts to end impunity for journalist murders in Pakistan, which includes: lobbying and advocacy, parallel investigations of journalist murders, coalition building, and victim liaison.
Victim Liaison
Lastly, we liaise with the families of murdered journalists to provide legal support and guidance through our partners, thus enabling them to pursue justice.
Volunteer opportunities
Information on volunteer positions available within the task force, including roles, responsibilities, and application process.
Partnerships and collaborations
Opportunities for organizations, institutions, or other stakeholders to collaborate with the task force on initiatives related to journalist safety.
Contact information
Clear contact details for reaching out to the task force, including email addresses, phone numbers, and office addresses.