Famous journalist Arshad Sharif was shot dead in Nairobi, Kenya, Arshad’s wife Javeria Siddique confirmed in the early hours of Monday.
I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist [Arshad Sharif] today, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” she tweeted.
I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist @arsched today, as per police he was shot in Kenya.
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— Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 24, 2022
The news has also been confirmed by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Kenya received initial information about the death of Mr. Arshad Sharif early in the morning of 24 October,” MoFA said in a statement.
The Pakistani Mission in Keyna was informed that the body was in Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi. After that, the High Commissioner, along with Mission’s officers, reached the location and identified the body of Arshad Sharif.
It further said that the Acting Foreign Secretary visited the family of Sharif and conveyed confirmation of the sad news and heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Foreign Minister and the Minister of State.
A Kenyan news agency also said the journalist had been shot dead on Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway in what police termed a “mistaken identity” case.
“Arshad Sharif was shot in the head and killed by police after he and his driver allegedly breached a roadblock that had been set up to check on motor vehicles using the route,” the news stated.
A senior Kenyan police officer confirmed the shooting and added a comprehensive statement will be released later.
“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,” the officer said.
According to police, at the roadblock, there was a call for police to intercept a car similar to the one they were driving following a carjacking incident in the Pangani area, Nairobi where a child was taken hostage.
The report further said: “A few minutes later, Sharif’s car emerged at the roadblock and they were stopped and asked to identify themselves. They allegedly failed to stop and drove past the roadblock. This prompted a brief chase and shooting that left Sharif dead. Their car rolled and his driver was injured and taken to hospital.”
Later, addressing a press conference, the chairperson of Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Ann Makori, said that a “rapid response team” had been dispatched to investigate the killing of the journalist.
Ann Makori – Chair, IPOA: On the Pakistan killing, our rapid response team has already been dispatched to investigate the killing of the journalist. We assure Kenyans of our full commitment to delivering on its mandate pic.twitter.com/FWz80i8lf6
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 24, 2022
Condemnation
After the tragic news, condolences poured in from fellow journalists and colleagues.
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi said that Arshad Sharif’s death was a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.
Arshad Sharif’s death Is a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.
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— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 24, 2022
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also expressed deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family.
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
Price for speaking the truth
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he was shocked at the brutal murder of Arshad Sharif, who paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth – his life.
“A proper judicial investigation must be instituted to examine his own statements plus evidence that other sources have,” he added
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
Tactics to silence journalists
Similarly, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that a long, grim record of violent tactics to silence journalists explains why the reported murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya has sent shockwaves through the journalist community. It also urged the government to pursue an immediate, transparent inquiry into the circumstances of Arshad’s death.
A long, grim record of violent tactics to silence journalists explain why the reported murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya has sent shock waves through the journalist community. The govt must pursue an immediate, transparent inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 24, 2022
The owner of the ARY group, Salman Iqbal, also expressed his shock over the tragic news of Arshad Sharif’s death.
انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون
I still can’t believe it. I am speechless. May Allah SWT grant him highest place in Jannah. Aameen pic.twitter.com/gjjUvTn1DO— Salman Iqbal ARY (@Salman_ARY) October 23, 2022
My brother,my friend my colleague arshad shareef was shot dead in Kenya..I still can’t believe it. It’s beyond heart breaking.this is just wrong.. this is painful.. I love u brother
— Kashif Abbasi (@Kashifabbasiary) October 23, 2022
انا لله و انا الیه راجعون https://t.co/Ic6pkoAmlM
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) October 24, 2022
Arshad Sharif, not just a colleague, a brother, is no more. From Islamabad to Moscow, from Dunya News to ARY, I’ve not known a finer gentleman.
Shot dead. Too young. Too brutally.Still can not wrap my head around it
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) October 23, 2022
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
