Journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya
Pakistan’s senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif died in Kenya reportedly after being shot at by the police, his wife Javeria Siddiqui confirmed early on Monday.
Mystery surrounds the circumstances that led to the journalist’s death. Initially, Kenyan media quoted the local police as saying that Arshad Sharif was shot dead by the police in a case of “mistaken identity”. It said the incident took place on Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway.
Confirming the incident, Bruno Shioso, spokesman for Kenya’s National Police Service, told media that local authorities are currently investigating the murder. “Our competent authorities are currently investigating and can’t comment further than that at present. We shall also issue a preliminary statement in due course,” he said.
Kenyan newspaper The Star reported that the car in which Sharif was travelling was fired upon after it failed to stop at a roadblock on the Nairobi-Magadi highway.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “sadness” at Arshad Sharif’s death, adding in the statement said that they were in touch with Kenyan officials regarding the matter.
The ministry confirmed that Pakistan’s envoy to Kenya along with embassy officials had identified the body at the Chiromo Funeral House in Nairobi and they are now awaiting further procedures and a police report.
“The High Commission will facilitate expeditious repatriation of mortal remains of Mr. Sharif in coordination with the host authorities,” the statement read.
After the news of Sharif’s death emerged on social media early on Monday, condolences poured in from all quarters.
President Arif Alvi, who awarded Sharif with one of Pakistan’s top civilian awards in 2019, tweeted his condolences and said his death was a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his shock at the death of the journalist. “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,” he tweeted on Monday morning.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow over the death of the journalist and said that the Pakistani government is in contact with Kenyan authorities regarding the matter.
“The unbelievable incident of journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder is extremely shocking and an irreparable loss to the journalist community of Pakistan.”
“I offer my condolences to journalist Arshad Sharif’s family, journalist community and his fans,” said the foreign minister.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a statement, confirmed that Pakistan’s ambassador to Kenya had identified the late journalist’s body and that the legal process to repatriate his body had started.
The information minister said that the Kenyan authorities had been requested to complete the formalities soon.
Expressing her condolence over the journalist’s death, she said speculations should be avoided in the Arshad Sharif case. She said she had spoken to Sharif’s mother and the Kenyan ambassador to Pakistan over the phone, informing her of the progress and information received so far. – News Agencies
