Senior journalist and anchor Arshad Sharif was shot dead by police in Kenya, according to investigators, prompting calls for a complete investigation.
According to Kenyan national police spokesman Bruno Shioso, the journalist killed by an officer after his car went through a police barrier in the Magadi district, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Nairobi. “They then shot at, fatally injuring Arshad Mohammed Sharif,” he claimed in a statement, adding that the reporter was travelling with a man identified as his “brother,” Khurram Ahmed.
“This sad occurrence deeply regretted by the National Police Service,” he stated. According to a police report obtained by AFP, the car transporting the two men was hit by nine bullets before continuing on to the residence of another Pakistani national.
Sharif discovered dead there, “with a gunshot wound on the skull that had pierced from the back.” According to the account, police were looking for a stolen automobile and an abducted individual at the time and had thrown up a makeshift roadblock.
Arshad Sharif’s Wife
“I lost a friend, husband, and my favourite journalist today; he shot in Kenya, according to police,” Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddique tweeted. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported Sharif was shot dead with two bullets in “unclear circumstances” and demanded an international investigation into “this horrible and profoundly disgusting murder.”
The Kenya Editors’ Guild reiterated the RSF’s appeal, saying those guilty held accountable. “Not only would this illustrate Kenya’s and the government’s ability to safeguard its citizens and visitors. But it would also reassure Kenyans and the international community that Kenya is secure for everyone, including journalists whose rights protected.”
Ruto promised earlier this month to modernise Kenya’s security forces and disbanded a police unit accused of extrajudicial executions. Missing Voices, a Kenyan campaign group focused on extrajudicial murders, reports 1,264 deaths at the hands of police since it began collecting data in 2017.
Meanwhile, the killing was strongly condemned both at home and abroad on Monday. With calls for an impartial probe into the tragic incident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday. He was urging that the death of senior journalist and presenter Arshad Sharif investigated fairly and transparently.
Soon after Pakistan’s High Commission in Kenya verified Arshad Sharif’s assassination, the Prime Minister called Kenya’s President. The foreign ministry stated that it will assist the family in any manner possible.
According to Kenyan authorities, Arshad Sharif was travelling from Magadi town to Nairobi when the tragedy occurred. According to Kenyan authorities, the murder was the result of a mistaken identity, and a police investigation was underway.
PM Shabaz Sharif’s tweet on Arshad Sharif
“I just spoke on the phone with Kenyan President William Ruto regarding Arshad Sharif’s unfortunate death.” I asked him to ensure that the investigation into this shocking incident is fair and transparent. “He offered complete assistance, including expediting the process of returning the body to Pakistan,” the prime minister tweeted.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry expressed great sadness over the tragic loss of distinguished journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif in Kenya. “We express our heartfelt sympathies to the grieving family,” it stated.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kenya received preliminary information of Arshad Sharif’s death early on October 24. As a result, the high commissioner called police authorities as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies. The vice president’s office also approached for confirmation.
Kenyan-born Pakistanis were also mobilised. The body discovered at the Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi, according to the mission. The high commissioner and mission officials arrived at the spot and identified Mr. Sharif’s body.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed Sharif’s family that they will receive all conceivable help. Additional steps, including a police report, are pending. “In conjunction with the host authorities, the high commission would facilitate the prompt return of Mr. Sharif’s mortal remains,” said the Foreign Office.
“Acting Foreign Secretary Raza Bashir Tarar visited Mr. Sharif’s family and conveyed confirmation of the sad news, as well as heartfelt condolences on behalf of the foreign minister and the minister of state,” the statement continued.
Tarar also met with Kenya’s High Commissioner in Islamabad to emphasise the urgency of the situation and the quick repatriation of the lifeless remains. He also informed National Assembly Foreign Relations Committee members on the developments.
Condolences from Foreign Minister
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya in a tweet. My heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones, who are in my thoughts and prayers as they cope with this unexpected loss.”
MsHina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State, also tweeted her condolences. “Our heartfelt condolences on Arshad Sharif’s untimely death.” May Allah bless his soul and grant his family the strength to bear the loss. MOFA would do everything necessary to get the dead back to his motherland and to support the family in every manner.”
Meanwhile, Kenya’s National Assembly passed a motion Monday strongly condemning the horrific execution of renowned journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif and demanding transparent investigations into the horrible murder.
“This House strongly condemns the cruel death of senior journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and demands fair and open investigations to determine the truth underlying the incident,” Federal Minister Shazia Marri read from the resolution.
The House also sent its heartfelt condolences to Arshad Sharif’s family. After journalists covering the National Assembly walked out in protest over Arshad Sharif’s death, the resolution passed.
On a point of order, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto stated that the Pakistan embassy was also closely monitoring the situation, and that the Foreign Office will summon the ambassador of Kenya to express Pakistan’s concern.
He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called Kenya’s President and demanded. The investigation into the incident completed as soon as possible. Federal Minister Sherry Rehman, Agha Rafiullah, and Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, among others, denounced the murder.
Bilawal also welcomed two newly elected PPP MNAs into the House, saying that the victories of Abdul Hakeem Baloch in Karachi and Ali Musa Gilani in Multan over the PTI had exposed a person’s so-called popularity.
Sympathies by Nawaz from London for Arshad Sharif
Arshad Sharif’s untimely death conveyed by PMLN Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Nawaz expressed his condolences to the media in London following the death of a senior anchorperson.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of Information, paid a visit to Arshad Sharif’s home to express his condolences to his mother. She expressed her condolences to the widow, children, and other family members.
She stated that the administration was taking all conceivable steps to return the body of the slain journalist as soon as possible.
Details about the incident would be provided with the media as soon as they were received from Kenyan authorities.
Stipulation of justice from X ‘PM’
Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, demanded a thorough judicial probe into the death. “We saw a foreign abetted regime change conspiracy taking place, sending Pakistan into chaos,” he wrote in a series of tweets in response to Sharif’s “assassination.” However, the Supreme Court has remained silent. When will the judiciary take action against state institutions that violate all laws and the Constitution? It’s about time they did.”
He stated that Arshad Sharif’s assassination had sent shockwaves throughout Pakistan. It has exposed the continued persecution of anyone who dares to criticise or question those in authority.
“When will our senior judiciary intervene to ensure our citizens’ fundamental rights entrenched in the Constitution respected and safeguarded against excesses by the state and government?” he said. We have seen individuals, lawmakers, journalists, and human rights defenders intimidated, arrested, charged with terrorism and incitement to mutiny, and tortured. We are seeing an increase in bogus charges and abuse of power by various executive branches.”
“Shocked by the terrible murder of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price – his life – for expressing the truth.” He was forced to flee the nation and go into exile, but he continued to tell the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. “Today, the entire country mourns his passing,” he wrote.
criticise and reveal injustice
He urged that a proper judicial investigation be launched to examine his own remarks as well as evidence obtained from other sources. “We have sunk into an unprecedented level of savagery, perpetrated by the powerful on those who dare to criticise and reveal injustice.” “My thoughts and prayers are with his bereaved family,” he stated.
PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed deep shock and sorrow at the news of the murder of ‘unparalleled journalist and friend Arshad Sharif.’
PTI Secretary General Asad Umar extended his condolences and stated that he was surprised to learn of Arshad Sharif’s death. May Allah provide him a prominent position in heaven. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) conveyed its condolences on Arshad Sharif’s untimely death.
“May Allah exalt the ranks of Arshad Sharif in the Hereafter and offer patience to his family in this hour of sadness,” it added in a statement. The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) vilified killing of senior anchorperson.
According to a statement, SCBA President Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon, Secretary Waseem Mumtaz Malik, and the 24th Executive Committee very disturbed by Arshad Sharif’s death. They condemned the event in the strongest terms possible, calling it “inhumane hooliganism.”
