Popular Pakistan journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya

Islamabad: A prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif was shot dead in Kenya, his wife said on Monday. The news of his death spread like wildfire and came as an “absolute shock” for the journalist community in Pakistan.

“I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist Arshad Sharif today, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” his wife Javeria Siddique said. In a statement shared on Twitter, his wife said that the incident had come as a shock and asked for privacy. “Respect our privacy. Please don’t share our family pictures, personal details and his last pictures from hospital. Remember us in your prayers.”

Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan’s High Commission in Kenya was in touch with the Kenyan authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains of Arshad Sharif. Pakistani mission received initial information about the death of Arshad Sharif on October 24 morning. The high commissioner identified the journalist’s body which was in Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed heartfelt condolences and assured his family of all possible assistance. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that the Pakistani government is in contact with Kenyan officials to ascertain facts. He expressed sincere condolences to the bereaved family over the death of journalist Arshad Sharif.

Shot in Kenya

Sharif and his driver were driving from Magadi town to Nairobi when they were flagged down at a roadblock manned by police officers, police told Kenya’s The Star newspaper. The incident took place on Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway. “We had an incident of shooting which turned out to be a case of mistaken identity involving a journalist. We will release more information later,” a senior Kenyan police officer was quoted as saying by The Star. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority in Kenya would investigate the killing, the local media said.

On Monday, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked representatives from the foreign and interior ministries to immediately contact the journalist’s family and submit a report. The court was hearing a petition seeking an inquiry into Sharif’s death, to bring his body back to his homeland and to ensure justice. The petition filed by Advocate Shoaib Razzaq requested the court to order the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the circumstance under which the journalist was forced to flee Pakistan.

Tributes paid to “brave journalist”

The 49-year-old journalist Arshad Sharif was remembered as a “brave and fearless journalist” and a “compassionate person” on social media as condolences poured in from colleagues and politicians.

President Dr Arif Alvi said that Sharif’s death was a great loss for journalism and Pakistan. “May his soul rest in peace and may his family, which includes his followers, have the strength to bear this loss,” Alvi said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by the shocking news. “May Allah grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family.”

The former prime minister and opposition leader Imran Khan said he was shocked at Sharif’s death and called for an inquiry. “A proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have.”

PTI leaders Asad Umar, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and others also extended condolences to Sharif’s family and friends.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that Sharif’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the journalist community and urged the government “must pursue an immediate, transparent inquiry into the circumstances of his death.”

He was ’not just a colleague but a brother’

Arshad Sharif’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from fellow colleagues and friends who recounted his unwavering commitment to the truth. “Arshad Sharif, not just a colleague, a brother, is no more,” journalist Meher Bokhari wrote on Twitter. “From Islamabad to Moscow, from Dunya News to ARY, I’ve not known a finer gentleman,” she said, adding that he was “shot dead. Too young. Too brutally.”

“My brother, my friend, my colleague Arshad Sharif was shot dead in Kenya. I still can’t believe it. It’s beyond heartbreaking. This is just wrong … this is painful … I love u brother,” ARY News anchorperson Kashif Abbasi tweeted. Journalist Mohammad Malick wrote: “Just heard shocking news of Arshad Sharif’s assassination. He was like a younger brother … Feels like my heart will burst with grief.”

Journalist community calls for investigation

Pakistan’s journalist community demanded an immediate probe in coordination with the Kenyan authorities into the killing of the Pakistani investigative journalist.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said that the journalist community was “heartbroken and strongly condemn the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif.” President PFUJ G.M. Jamali called for an “immediate and thorough investigation so that those responsible are held accountable.” National Press Club Islamabad urged the formation of a fact-finding commission to probe the killing. Journalists Kamran Khan and Shahbaz Rana also called for an investigation into Sharif’s killing. “Kenyan officials and GOP [Government of Pakistan] must act fast to get us facts on this devastating news about one of Pakistan’s most prominent journalists,” Kamran Khan said.

Profile

Born in Karachi in 1973, Arshad Sharif was a broadcast journalist, best known for his in-depth and investigative reports. Sharif also reported from conflict zones. He began his career as a freelance journalist in 1993 while he was still a student. He received a Master’s degree in Media Studies from the UK following his MSc in Public Administration from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad. Sharif worked with leading national media organisations including The News, Aaj News, Dunya TV, Dawn News and ARY News. His distinctive reporting style in the popular TV news show Power Play on ARY News, running since 2014, made Arshad Sharif a household name across the country. Sharif received the Pride of Performance Award in 2019 and Agahi Award for Journalism in 2012.