Kenyan newspaper reported, citing law enforcement officials, that senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was shot dead by Kenyan police on Sunday night in a case of “mistaken identity” when he was in the country’s capital. The city was going to Nairobi from Magadi.
“We have an incident of firing which turns out to be a case of mistaken identity of a journalist. We will release more information later,” a police officer told.
A report published on its website said Sharif was shot in the head by police after he and his driver allegedly violated a police roadblock.
The publication quoted police as saying that the main road block had been directed to stop a car similar to the one Sharif was driving, following a carjacking in Nairobi in which a child was allegedly taken hostage. was
Reported that Sharif was hailed for stopping for identification but his driver allegedly passed the checkpoint. It added that this resulted in a short chase and a shootout in which the journalist was killed.
The Kenyan publication said Sharif’s driver was injured and taken to hospital. It added that the driver told the law enforcement officials that he and Sharif were developers and were heading to a site in Magadi.
Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority will investigate the case, police headquarters said. At the same time, a senior police officer shared that a comprehensive statement will be issued later.
Pakistan was broken by Sharif’s wife Jawaria Siddiqui via Twitter. She confirmed the sad news in a post, admitting that her husband had died in Kenya.
I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.
— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 24, 2022
Respect our privacy and in the name of breaking pls don't share our family pics, personal details and his last pictures from hospital.
Remember us in ur prayers. pic.twitter.com/wP1BJxqP5e
Sources said that the local police have started an investigation and are probing the matter.
Before his wife’s confirmation, reports were doing the rounds that Sharif had died in an accident.
Sharif was earlier associated with ARY News and resigned from the channel and moved to Dubai. He was spotted in London a few days ago after arriving from Dubai before heading to Kenya.
Body Identification at a Kenyan Mortuary
Federal Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has confirmed that the dead body of senior Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif has been identified from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
“Pakistan High Commissioner, Kenyan police officials and doctors are currently at the mortuary, where Sharif’s body is kept,” the minister said.
He further said that the process of repatriation of his body has been started. “We have requested the Kenyan authorities to expedite the procedure,” Aurangzeb added.
The Pakistani Mission Was Set in Motion
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by Sharif’s untimely death in Kenya.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” the ministry said.
The statement added that the Pakistani High Commissioner in Kenya had received initial information about Sharif’s death on the morning of October 24.
“Accordingly, the High Commissioner contacted police officials, and senior officials of the Ministry and other departments. The Office of the Vice President was also contacted for confirmation.
Additionally, Pakistanis of Kenyan origin were also mobilized, while the mission was informed that the body was at Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi.
“The High Commissioner along with mission officers arrived at the scene, and identified Sharif’s body. The Acting Foreign Secretary then met the Sharif family and conveyed the sad news and heartfelt condolences from the Foreign Minister and the Minister of State. Expressed.
According to the statement, his family has been assured of all possible assistance by the Ministry of External Affairs.
“Further procedures, including a police report, are awaited, while the High Commission will facilitate the early repatriation of Arshad Sharif’s body in coordination with the host authorities,” it added.
‘In Touch With Kenya’
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed regret over the journalist’s death and said that the Pakistani government is in contact with the Kenyan authorities in this regard.
The unbelievable incident of journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder is extremely sad and an irreparable loss to the journalist community of Pakistan.
The foreign minister said that I offer my condolences to the family of journalist Arshad Sharif, the journalist community and his fans.
IHC Issued a Notice to the Ministry of Interior, Foreign Affairs.
Earlier today, a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to constitute a panel to find out the facts behind Sharif’s death.
Petitioner Barrister Shoaib Razak requested that a commission be formed to determine the circumstances under which Nawaz Sharif fled the country. He also requested the court to issue orders to bring the journalist’s body back to Pakistan.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court Athar Minullah asked the petitioner that where is the journalist’s body now? The lawyer told the judge that it was in Nairobi, Kenya.
After which the learned judge issued notices to the interior and foreign secretaries. He ordered the officials of both the ministries to meet the journalist’s family and submit a report by tomorrow.
Imran Khan Demanded a Judicial Inquiry.
In his condolence message to the victim’s family, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that he was shocked by the brutal killing of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth.
“He [Arshad Sharif] had to leave the country and hide abroad but he continued to speak the truth exposing the powerful on social media. Today, the entire nation mourns his death.
A proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have. We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilised society, indulged in by the powerful against those who dare to criticise & expose wrongdoings
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 24, 2022
The former prime minister said that a proper judicial inquiry should be initiated to examine his own statements and evidence from other sources.
“We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilized society, by the powerful against those who dare to criticize and expose wrongdoing.”
Condolences Are Pouring In.
After the news of Sharif’s death, condolence started from all over the country.
President Arif Alvi termed Sharif’s death as a great loss for journalism and Pakistan.
“May his soul rest in peace and may his family, including his followers, find strength to bear this loss,” the president tweeted.
Arshad Sharif’s death Is a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 24, 2022
May his soul rest in peace and may his family, which includes his followers, have the strength to bear this loss
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وانا الیہ راجعون
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed grief over the sad news of the tragic death of journalist Arshad Sharif.
“May Allah SWT grant him a place in heaven. My deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaved family,” he said.
I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of journalist Arshad Sharif's tragic death. May Allah SWT grant him a place in Heaven. My deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 24, 2022
The army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said it was deeply saddened by the unexpected death of senior journalist Arshad Sharif. The army said that may Allah grant him the highest position in heaven.
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has condemned the shocking death of Sharif in ‘accidental police firing’ in Kenya, calling it unimaginably tragic. “We mourn Sharif’s killing and wish his family the courage to deal with this irreparable loss,” Amand said in a statement, adding, “The entire media community “Standing with the Sharif family in this difficult time.”
Aymand officials called on the government to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into Sharif’s brutal murder. “We also request the government to make the best possible arrangements to repatriate the remains of the senior journalist and keep the family of the deceased informed of the developments,” the journalists’ organization said in a statement.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also demanded a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the journalist’s death.
We express our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. #JournalismIsNotACrime
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 24, 2022
“Absolutely shocked”
Absolutely shocked to hear of Arshad sharif's death. Allah Jannat naseeb karay.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 24, 2022
Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada also expressed sadness over Sharif’s death.
Extremely sad to hear the devastating news about Arshad Sharif. May his soul rest in peace.. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) October 23, 2022
