Islamabad: Slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s body reached Pakistan late Tuesday night after he was shot dead in Kenya on Sunday and received a hero’s welcome from journalists, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and a crowd of citizens that had come out to express their solidarity.

In an emotional message, his wife Javeria Siddiqui expressed her deep sorrow and disbelief over tragic incident. “Finally, I reunite with my husband after months, but he was in a coffin,” she said. 50-year-old journalist had fled  country in August to avoid arrest after he was slapped with multiple cases, including sedition charges over an interview with PTI leader Shahbaz Gill during which latter had made controversial comments. Alleging threats to his life, Sharif had moved to Dubai in August and later relocated to Kenya where he died after reportedly being shot.

Kenyan national police spokesman Bruno Shioso said  journalist was shot dead by an officer after his car drove through a police barrier. “It is then that they were shot at, fatally injuring late Arshad Sharif,” he said. Death of journalist sent shock waves across rights organisations, media fraternity and civil society and prompted calls for thorough investigation and disclosure of facts. Several local and international journalists, including Kenyan media persons and relevant personalities have raised questions about Kenyan police’s claims surrounding killing.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 27 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.