ISLAMABAD: In an extremely upsetting incident, prominent journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif martyred in Nairobi capital of Kenya. As per Kenyan media reports, journalist was shot dead Sunday night along Nairobi-Magadi Highway in a case of mistaken identity.

Chairperson of Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Kenya Anne Makori held a press conference yesterday and confirmed that on evening of October 23, a Pakistani journalist named Arshad Muhammad Sharif (50) was shot by Kenyan Police within limits of Kajiado County. “There’s an alleged police killing of a Pakistani national at Tinga market, Kajiado County, last evening. Our rapid response team has already been dispatched,” she said, adding that a probe related to incident is underway and that Independent Policing Oversight Authority will carry out a transparent investigation into killing of Sharif.

Pakistanis from all walks of life including politicians, journalist community deeply mourned demise of Sharif and call for an immediate transparent inquiry into grave killing of journalist in Nairobi. Condolences pours in on social media over death of Arshad Sharif.

President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and shock over tragic death of journalist Arshad Sharif.

PM has held a telephonic conversation with Kenyan President William Ruto following tragic killing of journalist. During call, premier requested Kenyan president to “ensure a fair and transparent” investigation. Prime Minister added that Kenyan president has promised all-out help, including fast-tracking of body’s repatriation In their separate statements, they commiserated with bereaved family and prayed for departed soul. President Dr Arif Alvi said Arshad Sharif’s death is a great loss to journalism and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb held telephonic conversation with mother of journalist Arshad Sharif and expressed deep grief and sorrow over tragic death of her son. Javeria Siddique, wife of Arshad Sharif tweeted, “I lost my friend, husband and favourite journalist. 

 She appealed “Our privacy be respected and pictures of our family, personal details and last picture of Arshad Sharif which was taken in hospital be not published.  Marriyum Aurangzeb also said yesterday that the post-mortem of slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif was conducted and his body will be repatriated soon. She said in a statement that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Kenya’s president. She said that the Pakistani authorities were making efforts to repatriate Arshad Sharif’s body tonight.

The National Assembly (NA) has unanimously passed a resolution to strongly condemn the killing of senior journalist. Also, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Afzal Butt  demanded the state to conduct an inquiry into the martyrdom of senior journalist.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 25 2022

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