Popular Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya

Journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif died in Kenya after reportedly being shot in the head, Sharif’s wife Javeria Siddique confirmed on Twitter early on Monday morning.

“I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist [Arshad Sharif] today, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” she tweeted.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan’s High Commission in Kenya was in touch with Kenyan government to ascertain the information.

Repatriation of journalist’s body

Confirming the journalist’s demise, the Foreign Office said Pakistan’s high commissioner to Kenya, along with other officials, reached Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi where she identified Sharif’s body.

“The Government of Pakistan is actively engaged with the Kenyan authorities at multiple levels for speedy repatriation of the mortal remains of Mr. Arshad Sharif” the Foreign Office said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spoken to President of Kenya William Ruto to request early completion of formalities and repatriation of the mortal remains. The Kenyan President conveyed deepest condolences on the tragic incident, and assured complete investigations and repatriation of the body at the earliest.

Pakistan has also formally requested the Kenyan government to hold an investigation into the incident.

Mistaken identity case

Kenyan media has reported that the local police have claimed to shoot dead Sharif in a case of “mistaken identity”.

Kenya’s The Star newspaper reported that 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.”

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 the Star.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority in Kenya would investigate the killing, the newspaper said.

“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.

Sharif paid price for speaking truth

The former prime minister and the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan, expressing shock at Sharif’s death said the fierce journalist “paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth”.

“He had to leave the country & be in hiding abroad but he continued to speak the truth on social media, exposing the powerful. Today the entire nation mourns his death.”

Khan also called for an investigation into the journalist’s death, saying Sharif’s own statements could be used as primary evidence of assassination.

“We have descended into a state of brutality, unknown in civilized society, indulged in by the powerful against those who dare to criticize & expose wrongdoing,” he added.

Human Rights Commission calls for transparent inquiry

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also urged to government to pursue a transparent inquiry immediately. There is a “long, grim record of violent tactics to silence journalists” in Pakistan and therefore the government must investigate the circumstances of Sharif’s death, said the commission in a statement.

Arshad Sharif was a fierce critic of the current government and the military establishment. He had to leave Pakistan a few months ago after receiving death threats.

The 49-year-old had worked in various newsrooms in the country, including Dawn News and ARY News. He was awarded the Pride of Performance by President Arif Alvi in March 2019.

He leaves behind a wife and five children.